Rat Control & Removal in Dunedin
Finding effective rat control in Dunedin, Florida, is often a race against time, especially given our unique coastal environment. If you live here, you know the struggle. You love the lush landscaping, the backyard citrus trees, and the proximity to nature preserves like Hammock Park.
The problem is that rodents love these things just as much as you do.
Whether you own a historic bungalow near the Downtown Dunedin Historic District or a stucco home in Spanish Trails, rats do not just wander inside by accident. They break in. They chew through soffits, push through vents, and squeeze into pool cages.
At ProHealth Pest Control, we do not just set traps and hope for the best. We act as exclusion architects. We trap the rodents currently in your home and then physically seal the structure so they cannot return.
Why Dunedin Homes Are Prone to Rat Infestations
Living in this part of Pinellas County means battling specific environmental factors that drive rodent activity. Dunedin has a long history as a citrus hub. Although developers have removed most commercial groves, thousands of residential properties still feature grapefruit, orange, and lemon trees.
This abundant food source attracts Roof Rats, which locals often call “fruit rats.”
Our geography plays a major role too. When high tides rise or storms roll in off St. Joseph Sound and Curlew Creek, rodents living near the water push inland looking for dry ground. Your attic or crawl space becomes their primary target.
The type of home you own also determines your risk level.
- Historic Homes: Older properties often have pier-and-beam foundations or gaps in original siding that allow easy access.
- Pool Cages: Many residents are surprised to see rats climbing screen enclosures. They chew through the lower screen panels to access patios and eventually the roofline.
Our 3-Step Rodent Removal Process
Effective extermination requires more than putting a few snap traps in the garage. We follow a strict process to secure your home.
Step 1: Deep Inspection & Entry Point Mapping
We start by locating exactly how they are getting in. We do not just look for droppings in the corner. We inspect your roof returns, AC chase lines, and soffit vents.
These are the most common access points for Florida homes. If there is a gap the size of a quarter, we will find it.
Step 2: Trapping & Removal (No Harmful Baits Inside)
A major fear for homeowners is the smell of a dead rat decomposing inside a wall. That is why we avoid using poison baits inside your home. Instead, we use sanitary containment methods and snap traps to capture rodents quickly and retrieve them. This keeps your home sanitary and odor-free.
Step 3: Exclusion (The “Rodent-Proofing” Barrier)
This is the most valuable part of our service. We seal the entry points using materials rats cannot chew through. We use high-gauge steel wool, hardware cloth, and concrete. Simple expanding foam is not enough because rats can chew right through it.
We seal up soffit vents, ridge vents, and pipe penetrations to create a permanent barrier.
Specific Rodents We Target in Dunedin
We primarily deal with two types of rodents in this area. Knowing which one you have determines how we treat the property.
Roof Rats (The #1 Dunedin Threat) – These are the agile climbers mentioned earlier. They nest in attics and insulation to stay warm and dry. They travel via power lines and oak branches that touch your roof.
If you hear scratching above your head at night, it is likely a Roof Rat.
Norway Rats – These are larger and tend to dwell on the ground. We often find them near the Dunedin Marina or areas with heavy ground debris and vegetation. They burrow under foundations and concrete slabs.
You might notice signs like scratching noises at night since these pests are nocturnal. You may also see hollowed-out citrus fruit in your yard or dark grease marks along your fascia boards where they rub their fur against the wall.
Serving All Dunedin Neighborhoods
We are local to the area and understand the different neighborhoods that make up this city. We service waterfront estates in Dunedin Isles, where moisture drives pests indoors.
We also handle the single-family homes in Fairway Manor and Mediterranean Manors, where mature trees often overhang rooflines.
If you live in a deed-restricted community like Curlew Creek, we understand the need for discreet, professional service vehicles. We respect your property and your neighborhood rules while getting the job done.
The ProHealth “Best Service” Guarantee
We believe in doing the job right the first time. That is why we offer a solid guarantee on our exclusion work.
- Structural Guarantee: If a rat manages to get back in through a hole we sealed, we return to fix it for free.
- Sanitization: Removing the rat is only half the battle. We also offer attic restoration to clean up urine and droppings. This removes the pheromones that attract new rats to your home.
- Safety First: Dunedin is a very dog-friendly city. We design all our treatment plans with pet safety in mind.
FAQs
You are likely hearing Roof Rats. They are nocturnal and use your attic insulation for nesting. They are most active after sunset when they go out to forage for food.
Rats are excellent climbers. They can scale the screen mesh of your pool cage to reach the roofline, where they look for gaps in your soffits or eaves.
No, but you should maintain them. Install “rat guards” on the trunks and pick up fallen fruit daily to remove the easy food source.
We use tamper-resistant bait stations outside and snap traps in inaccessible areas (like attics) inside. We prioritize the safety of your dogs and cats.
Protect Your Home from Rodents with ProHealth Pest Control
You do not have to live with the stress of scratching noises in your ceiling or the worry of what pests are getting into your food. If you are in Dunedin and suspect a rodent issue, call ProHealth Pest Control today. We will come out, identify the problem, and shut it down for good.
Contact ProHealth Pest Control now to schedule your inspection.