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Southern Florida has a mouse and rat problem. They are particularly attracted to our homes since they require shelter, food, and water as well. Everything they need to survive is here with us.

Rodents cause damage and disperse toxins throughout our living spaces and houses.

They are little, and their bodies are well suited for climbing and fitting through tight spaces.

Their lengthy teeth need to be sharpened as they constantly grow. They have to chew on stuff to accomplish that. The majority of the components that make up our dwellings are among these items. Some have been known to chew through electrical cables, ducting, metal, and wood.

The three primary rodent species that plague Southern Florida are described in detail below, along with instructions on how to find them and keep them away.

Roof Rats

The most frequent rat species in and near homes in Southern Florida is the roof rat.

Your attic, wall voids, attic, trash cans, wood heaps, fruit trees, and palm palms are all potential hiding places. They like building their nests above ground.

They have a 10-inch tail that may grow up to 8 inches long. They come in two different color patterns: brown with a white or cream underside or black or dark grey with a lighter underbelly. They weigh anything from 0.5 to 1 pounds.

They have started several house fires by chewing through electrical wire.

At the age of 3 to 5 months, roof rats may procreate and can have up to 6 litters annually. Each litter may result in 6–8 puppies.

Due to their nocturnal behavior, roof rats are most active at night.

Norway Rats

Norway rats are also known as sewer rats and ship rats since they are typically found in coastal and canal locations.

They can reach a maximum length of 18 inches. They might be reddish brown or gray. Adults weigh between 3/4 to 1 pound. More obese than roof rats, they appear.

They are nocturnal as well.

They like to dig rather than climb, so it’s more probable that you’ll find them underneath your structure or foundation.

At the age of 3 to 5 months, Norway rats may reproduce. They can have up to 7 litters each year, each of which can include up to 12 pups.

They may produce droppings that are up to 3/4″ long and have a pill-like form with flat ends.

House Mice

The most prevalent kind of mice in Southern Florida are house mice.

They are not as large as rats. The length of a house mouse, measured from snout to end of hairless tail, can reach 7 inches. They come in brown, gray, or black colors. Their eyes are big and dark and beady.

They may be discovered indoors in your basement, attic, furniture, wall spaces, and cupboards as well as outside in your yard and shrubs.

Cereal grains and other items consumed by humans are attractive to them.

Mice in the home are quite quiet. Often, the only method to detect the presence of mice in your home or yard is to look for their droppings. Their excrement may be up to 1/4″ long and resembles black rice.

Although a stubborn rat is difficult to dissuade, there are steps you may do to lessen its attraction to your home and yard.

Being proactive about keeping your house and yard clean can help keep them away and make it easier for you to see them if they do appear.

Steps to Take

Maintain a spotless kitchen by:

Removing any remaining food from pans and plates as soon as possible after cooking and eating.
To get rid of food crumbs and spills, clean the stovetop and counters.
Sweep floors to get rid of spills and food crumbs.
Food should be kept in airtight containers, particularly grains for cereal.

Activities you can perform at your home:

Fix any entry points into your home. A mouse can fit through a hole little bigger than a penny. A quarter-sized hole is what rats require. However, keep in mind that they have the ability to eat a hole bigger.

Activities outside:

Get rid of the overgrown vegetation, the dead leaves, and the branches.
Remove any bushes and trees that are touching your house.
Keep firewood stacks at least 20 feet away from the home.

These rodents may reproduce often, many times a year, which allows them to quickly increase their population size. Don’t wait for Florida’s rodent population to overtake your home or yard.

If you are noticing signs of them, they have probably already built up a sizable colony at your house. Make a time to meet, and we’ll assist you in getting rid of those pests.