Rats and Mice Out. Entry Points Sealed. For Good.
Poison and snap traps don't fix a rodent problem. Sealing the entry points does. We trap the rats and mice already inside, seal every gap they're using, clean up what they left behind, and back the exclusion with a warranty.
- Free rodent inspection
- Trapping, with no poison inside your home
- Every entry point sealed and warrantied
- Droppings and nest cleanup
Coastal Wildlife & Pest Control Services · Florida license #JB333916
The Rodents Invading Jacksonville Homes
Three species cause nearly every rodent call in Northeast Florida. Each one gets in, and gets treated, a little differently.
Roof rat
Rattus rattus
The most common rat in Jacksonville attics. Sleek and dark with large ears and a tail longer than its body. An excellent climber that uses palms, oaks, fences and power lines to reach the roof.
Found: attics, soffits, palm trees, garagesNorway rat
Rattus norvegicus
Larger and heavier, with a blunt nose, small ears and a shorter tail. A burrower that tunnels along foundations, under slabs and around sheds and woodpiles.
Found: burrows, crawlspaces, garages, shedsHouse mouse
Mus musculus
Small, light brown to gray, with large ears. Can squeeze through a gap about the size of a dime and breeds quickly indoors.
Found: kitchens, cabinets, walls, garagesSigns You Have Rats or Mice
Rodents are nocturnal and secretive. These are usually the first clues.
Noises at night
Scratching, scurrying or gnawing in the attic, ceiling or walls after dark.
Droppings
Rat droppings are ½" or longer; mouse droppings are rice-sized. Look in the attic, pantry, under sinks and in the garage.
Gnaw marks
Chewed wires, AC lines, food packaging, wood trim or insulation.
Rub marks
Dark, greasy smudges along beams, pipes and entry holes where rodents travel.
Nests
Shredded insulation, paper or fabric piled in hidden corners.
Pets on alert
Dogs and cats staring at walls or pawing at cabinets and vents.
Why Rodent Control Is So Important
A rodent problem never stays the same size. Here's what's at stake.
Disease
The CDC lists diseases spread by rodents, including leptospirosis and salmonellosis, through contact with their urine and droppings.
Fire risk
Rodent teeth never stop growing, so they gnaw constantly, including on electrical wiring in attics and walls.
Property damage
Torn and soiled insulation, chewed ductwork and AC lines, and damaged stored belongings.
Fast breeding
Rats and mice breed year-round in Florida. A single pair can produce dozens of offspring in a year.
They attract other pests
Rodents bring fleas and mites, and they draw snakes looking for an easy meal.
How We Get Rid of Rodents for Good
Most companies stop at traps. That's why rodents come back. We fix the cause.
Inspect
We inspect from the roofline to the foundation to find every entry point, identify the species and size up the activity.
Remove
Strategic trapping removes the rodents already inside, with follow-up checks until activity stops.
Seal
Every entry point gets sealed with rodent-proof materials: hardware cloth, metal flashing and sealants, not just foam.
Clean & protect
We remove droppings and nesting material, sanitize affected areas and help keep new rodents out.
Where Rodents Get Into Florida Homes
A rat needs a gap about the size of a quarter; a mouse needs one the size of a dime. These are the spots we check on every inspection. Watch how they get in →
- Roof returns & soffit gapsThe #1 roof rat entry in Florida homes: gaps where the fascia, soffit and roof meet.
- Gable & roof ventsDamaged or unscreened vents give rats direct attic access.
- AC line sets & plumbingGaps around refrigerant lines, pipes and cables. Mice need only a dime-sized opening.
- Garage doorsWorn bottom seals and side gaps let rodents walk right in.
- Dryer & bath ventsMissing or broken flaps open a path into walls.
- Trees touching the roofPalm fronds and oak limbs are bridges straight to the roofline.
| Professional rodent control | Poison & DIY traps | |
|---|---|---|
| Finds every entry point | Yes, roofline to foundation | No |
| Removes rodents inside | Trapping with follow-up checks | Some, if lucky |
| Dead rodents in walls | Avoided: no poison inside | Common with poison |
| Stops new rodents | Sealed with rodent-proof materials | No |
| Cleanup | Droppings and nests removed | Left to you |
| Guarantee | Warranty on exclusion work | None |
Already Protected? You Pay Less.
Home Protection Plan members get member pricing on trapping and exclusion work. Plans with Wildlife Defense also include quarterly roofline, vent and foundation inspections that catch new entry points early, plus protection from raccoons, armadillos, opossums, snakes and moles.
- Member pricing on trapping and exclusion
- Quarterly exterior inspections on Wildlife Defense plans
- Plans from $79/mo, change anytime
Rodent inspection
Find out how they're getting in, what it'll take to fix, and exactly what it costs, in writing, before any work starts.
Book My InspectionEvery Night You Wait, They Do More Damage.
Get a free rodent inspection and a clear plan today.
Common Questions
How much does rodent removal cost?
It depends on the size of the home and how many entry points need sealing. The inspection is free, and you get a clear, written price before any work starts. Home Protection Plan members get member pricing on trapping and exclusion.
Do you use poison?
Not inside your home. Poisoned rodents often die in walls and attics, which causes odor problems and can attract flies. We remove rodents with trapping and stop new ones by sealing the entry points.
How long does rodent removal take?
Exclusion work is usually completed in a day or two, with trap checks over the following visits until activity stops.
Will they come back?
Not through the areas we seal. That's what the warranty on our exclusion work covers. Sealing entry points is the only permanent fix for a rodent problem.
How do I know if I have rats or mice?
Rat droppings are about half an inch or longer with blunt ends; mouse droppings are rice-sized and pointed. Roof rats are usually heard in attics at night, while mice are more often found in kitchens, cabinets and garages. Our inspection confirms which one you have.
Are rodents dangerous?
They can be. According to the CDC, rodents spread diseases such as leptospirosis and salmonellosis through their urine and droppings. They also gnaw on electrical wiring, which is a fire risk, and their nests can bring fleas and mites into your home.
Do you clean up droppings and damaged insulation?
Yes. Sanitation is part of our rodent service. We remove droppings and nesting material and treat contaminated areas, and we can quote attic insulation restoration when damage is extensive.
Can I just seal the holes myself?
You can seal obvious gaps, but rodents are usually using several entry points, many at the roofline. Sealing the wrong ones, or sealing before removal, can trap rodents inside. A full inspection finds every entry point first.