Rats in the attic: trapping vs exclusion
Roof rats are the usual attic rat in Florida. Traps catch the ones inside; sealing the gaps keeps the next ones out. What it costs and what to ask.
The rat running in a Florida attic at night is usually a roof rat, a climber that comes in from trees, palms and power lines through gaps at the roofline.
Traps alone rarely end it
Trapping removes the rats already in the attic. If the gaps they came through stay open, new ones arrive. That is why homeowners report paying for months of trapping and still hearing them every fall.
Exclusion means finding and sealing every entry point: soffit gaps, roof returns, barrel tile openings, vents and plumbing stacks, usually with hardware cloth, metal flashing and sealant. It is followed by trapping whatever is still inside, then checking that nothing gets back in.
Of the 3574 companies listed here, 1069 say they treat rats and mice. Look on each listing for "Exclusion / sealing" under rodent work.
What people pay
Quotes posted by Florida homeowners ran from about $200 for traps and advice to $3,000 for a full exclusion, with $650 for a month of trapping plus $700 to seal a typical house in one St. Petersburg thread. The spread is mostly how much sealing is included.
If you rent
In Florida apartments and condos, Florida Statute 83.51 makes the landlord responsible for extermination of rats and mice unless the lease says otherwise in writing. Tell the landlord before you hire anyone.
Questions to ask
- Does the price include sealing the entry points, or traps only?
- How many visits, and who checks the traps?
- Is the sealing guaranteed, and for how long?
- Will you clean or replace contaminated attic insulation, and what does that cost?