Rodent Control Services

Close-up of a curious gray rat on a white background.

Rats and mice are more than a nuisance — they're a genuine threat to your home and your family's health. Rodents gnaw through electrical wiring (a leading cause of house fires), damage insulation and structural wood, contaminate food and surfaces with droppings and urine, and can carry diseases including leptospirosis, hantavirus, and salmonella. If you've heard scratching in your walls or ceiling, found droppings in your kitchen, or noticed gnaw marks on food packaging or wiring, it's time to call a professional.

At Golden Rule Termite & Pest Solutions, we've provided rodent control and exclusion services to homeowners across South Hillsborough County and Manatee County since 1985. We don't just set a few traps and leave — we find how rodents are getting in, seal every entry point, eliminate the existing population, and back our work with a one-year warranty.

Florida's Most Common Rodent Pests

Roof Rats

Norway Rats

The most common rat species in the Tampa Bay area. Roof rats are agile climbers that enter homes through the roofline — via gaps in soffits, roof vents, deteriorated fascia boards, and areas where utility lines enter the structure. They typically live in attics, between walls, and in dense vegetation. Roof rats are nocturnal and fast-reproducing. A small problem becomes a large one quickly.

Norway Rats

Larger and heavier than roof rats, Norway rats (also called brown rats or sewer rats) tend to burrow in the ground, under slabs, in crawl spaces, and near dumpsters or dense ground cover. They're common near waterways — making them a concern for homeowners in Apollo Beach, Palmetto, Riverview, and Ellenton.

House Mice

Norway Rats

House Mice

Smaller than rats, mice can squeeze through gaps as small as a dime. They commonly infest wall voids, under appliances, in garages, and inside cabinets. They reproduce rapidly — a single pair can produce dozens of offspring in just a few months.

Our Rodent Control Process

Step 1 — Inspection & Assessment

One of our experienced technicians will thoroughly inspect your home — attic, crawl spaces, garage, exterior roofline, foundation, and any areas where you've noticed signs of activity. We identify the species involved, locate where they're entering, assess the extent of the infestation, and check for secondary damage like chewed wiring, soiled insulation, or gnaw marks.

After the inspection, we walk you through our findings and provide a clear, no-pressure quote.

Step 2 — Exclusion (Sealing Entry Points)

Exclusion is the most important part of permanent rodent control. Trapping without sealing entry points is a temporary fix — more rodents will simply move in to replace the ones removed. We seal every gap, crack, and opening rodents are using or could use to enter your home. Common exclusion points include:

Roof vents and gable vents
Gaps around soffit returns and fascia boards
Pipe and utility line penetrations
Gaps at the roofline where sections meet
Foundation gaps and weep holes
AC line penetrations and condenser areas
Garage door gaps and weatherstripping

We use professional-grade materials — hardware cloth, copper mesh, metal flashing, and sealants — designed to last and resist rodent chewing.

Step 3 — Trapping & Removal

We place traps and bait stations in strategic locations inside and outside your home to eliminate the existing rodent population. Interior traps are positioned in areas of confirmed activity — attic runs, wall voids, garage spaces, and under appliances. Exterior bait stations are installed around the perimeter to intercept rodents before they reach the structure.

Step 4 — Follow-Up & Monitoring

We schedule follow-up visits to check trap activity, confirm the population has been eliminated, and make any additional exclusion adjustments if needed. We don't consider the job done until the rodent activity is completely resolved.

Our Warranty

We back our rodent exclusion services with a one-year warranty. If rodents return through any previously sealed entry point during the warranty period, we come back at no additional charge.

Signs You May Have a Rodent Problem

Don't ignore these common indicators — rodent populations grow quickly:

Scratching, scurrying, or squeaking sounds in walls, ceilings, or attic (especially at night)
Rodent droppings in cabinets, pantries, along walls, or in the attic
Gnaw marks on food packaging, wiring, wood, or plastic
Nesting materials (shredded insulation, paper, fabric) in hidden areas
Grease marks or rub marks along walls and baseboards
A musty odor in enclosed spaces like the attic or garage
Visible rodents — seeing one mouse or rat usually means there are more

Why Homeowners Trust Golden Rule for Rodent Control

We Solve the Whole Problem

Trapping alone isn't enough. Our exclusion-first approach means we stop rodents from getting in — not just remove the ones already there.

40+ Years of Local Experience

We know the rodent pressures specific to South Hillsborough and Manatee Counties — waterfront properties, agricultural borders, new construction areas, and more.

One-Year Exclusion Warranty

We stand behind our work. If rodents re-enter through a sealed point within the warranty period, we return at no charge.

Thorough and Professional

We respect your home and your time. Our technicians are trained, licensed, and committed to doing the job right.

Family-Owned and Local

You'll work with the same team throughout the process — not a different technician every visit.

Frequently Asked Questions — Rodent Control

How can I tell if I have rodents or mice?

The size of the droppings is a reliable indicator — rat droppings are larger (½ to ¾ inch) while mouse droppings are much smaller (⅛ to ¼ inch). Rats also tend to leave more obvious gnaw marks and grease trails. Our inspection will confirm exactly what you're dealing with.

How do rodents get into my home?

More easily than most people expect. Roof rats need a gap of only half an inch to enter. Mice need even less — about a quarter inch. Common entry points include gaps in soffits and rooflines, spaces around pipe penetrations, gaps under garage doors, damaged foundation vents, and any area where different building materials meet.

Can't I just set traps from the hardware store?

Store-bought traps may catch individual rodents, but they don't address the underlying access problem. Without sealing entry points, the population replenishes itself — often faster than traps can keep up. Professional exclusion is the only long-term solution.

How long does rodent control take?

Initial exclusion work typically takes a few hours. The full elimination process — including follow-up visits to confirm activity has ended — usually takes two to four weeks depending on the severity of the infestation.

Do you offer a warranty?

Yes. Our rodent exclusion services include a one-year warranty. If rodents return through a sealed entry point during the warranty period, we return at no additional charge.

Rodent Control Services

Florida's Most Common Rodent Pests

Roof Rats

Norway Rats

Norway Rats

Norway Rats

Norway Rats

Norway Rats

House Mice

Norway Rats

House Mice

Our Rodent Control Process

Step 1 — Inspection & Assessment

Step 2 — Exclusion (Sealing Entry Points)

Step 3 — Trapping & Removal

Step 4 — Follow-Up & Monitoring

Signs You May Have a Rodent Problem

Why Homeowners Trust Golden Rule for Rodent Control

We Solve the Whole Problem

40+ Years of Local Experience

One-Year Exclusion Warranty

Thorough and Professional

Family-Owned and Local

Frequently Asked Questions — Rodent Control

Schedule Your Rodent Inspection Today

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