Rat removal in Winter Haven, FL
Rat removal in Winter Haven has a lot to do with citrus. This is old grove country, and the orange and grapefruit trees still standing in backyards feed roof rats that end up running across your ceiling at night.
- Roof rats, Norway rats, mice
- Bait stations outside only
- Rodent-proof sealing on every gap
Hearing rats at night?
Tell us what you are hearing or seeing. We will get back to you, set up a visit and give you a straight answer on what it takes.
- Firm quote before any work starts
- Call, text or email, your pick
- Licensed and insured in Florida
Quick answer. Critter Guys provides rat removal in Winter Haven, FL for homes, manufactured homes and businesses. We find where rats get in, trap them inside, put locked bait station boxes around the outside, and seal every gap with rodent-proof material. We handle roof rats, Norway rats and house mice. Winter Haven customers can call or text (321) 203-6963 to book an inspection.
Common signs of rats in Winter Haven homes
Rats stay hidden, but they leave plenty of evidence.
Hollow oranges still on the branch
Roof rats chew a hole in the fruit and eat the inside out, leaving the empty peel hanging on the tree.
Fast scurrying after dark
Quick runs across the ceiling or inside walls, usually starting soon after the house goes quiet.
Droppings in the garage or attic
Small, dark, capsule-shaped pellets along walls, behind appliances or in storage boxes.
Chewed AC line insulation
Rats gnaw the foam wrap on refrigerant lines where they enter the house.
Burrows under slabs or sheds
Norway rats dig holes along foundations, under concrete pads and beneath sheds.
Citrus, palms and lakes: why Winter Haven has rats
Winter Haven grew up on citrus. Grove land still borders parts of town, and backyard orange and grapefruit trees are everywhere. Fallen fruit and fruit left on the tree are easy food for roof rats, and the trees themselves give them a path onto the roof.
Lakefront lots add palms, thick shoreline plants and boathouses, all good cover. Manufactured home communities around town are another common call for us, since the space under a home with gaps in the skirting suits Norway rats. For other wildlife problems in town, see our Winter Haven wildlife control page.
What we see in Winter Haven
- Polk County
- Former citrus grove land
- Palms and fruit trees on lake lots
- Manufactured home communities
From recent jobs
How our rat removal works in Winter Haven
Rat jobs need more than bait. Here’s how we handle them.
Inspect the whole property
We check the attic, roof line, garage, crawl space or skirting, and yard. Rats can get through gaps about the size of a quarter, so we look closely.
Trap inside
Traps go along rat runways in the attic or crawl space and get checked on a regular schedule. No poison inside, so no rats dying in the walls.
Bait station boxes outside
Locked, tamper-resistant stations go around the exterior to reduce the population coming in from the yard.
Seal entry points
Roof returns, vents, AC chases, plumbing gaps and skirting get closed with rodent-proof material. Our Winter Haven exclusion service covers full roof lines and foundations.
Clean up
Droppings, nesting and urine-soaked insulation come out, then we sanitize. Larger jobs go through our Winter Haven attic cleanup.
Manufactured homes need a different approach
Manufactured and mobile homes are common around Winter Haven, and rats treat the space underneath as shelter. Gaps in the skirting, loose access panels and openings where plumbing and ductwork run through the floor give rats a way up into the walls and cabinets.
Rat removal on these homes means working underneath as well as inside: trapping, sealing every skirting gap, and closing floor penetrations.
- Inspect and seal skirting gaps
- Close plumbing and duct openings in the floor
- Bait station boxes around the perimeter
- Check for opossums and armadillos too
Rat removal reviews from Winter Haven
4.9
141 reviews on Google
★★★★★
Craig from Critter Guys was wonderful! Very responsive with great communication. We had a rat issue he came right out the next day to access the problem. If you have a critter concern look no further Critter Guys is awesome!
Christine FerkileGoogle review
★★★★★
We had a huge yellow jacket nest in a palm and Craig was able to get it taken care of immediately. A+++
Lauralee WestineGoogle review
★★★★★
Nelson was professional and knowledgeable. We will call Critter Guys again.
Libbi BoerschigGoogle review
Read every review on Google or see more Critter Guys reviews
Roof rats versus Norway rats in Winter Haven
Both live around here. Knowing which one you have shapes the plan.
| Roof rat | Norway rat |
|---|---|
| Climber: attics, trees, roofs | Digger: burrows, crawl spaces, sheds |
| Enters at roof returns and vents | Enters at foundation and slab gaps |
| Loves citrus and palm fruit | Eats garbage, pet food, seed |
| Slim with a long tail | Stocky with a shorter tail |
Habits that help keep rats away
After we remove the rats, a few changes keep them from coming back.
- Pick up fallen citrus often
- Harvest ripe fruit rather than leaving it on the tree
- Trim branches and palm fronds back from the roof
- Store pet food and birdseed in sealed containers
- Keep boathouses and sheds closed and tidy
More services for Winter Haven homes
Rat removal in nearby towns
Questions about rat removal in Winter Haven
Still wondering about something? Call or text (321) 203-6963.
How much is rat removal in Winter Haven?
We quote after inspecting the house. The cost depends on how many rats there are, how many gaps need sealing and how much cleanup the attic or crawl space needs. You’ll know the plan and price before we start.
Are roof rats attracted to citrus trees?
Yes. Roof rats eat citrus right on the tree and use the branches to reach the roof. Picking up fallen fruit and trimming branches back from the house helps a lot.
Should I worry about disease from rats in a Winter Haven attic?
It is worth taking seriously without panicking. Rodent urine can spread leptospirosis, and droppings and nests foul insulation and anything stored nearby. We get the rats out, haul out the mess and disinfect so the risk leaves with them.
Why do you use bait stations only outside?
Poison inside the house often leads to rats dying in walls and ceilings, which creates a smell that lasts. Outside, locked stations reduce the population without that risk. Inside, we trap.
Do you handle rats in manufactured homes?
Yes. We inspect underneath, seal skirting and floor penetrations, trap inside and set bait stations around the perimeter. It’s a common call around Winter Haven.
Can you remove squirrels and rats at the same time?
Yes. Rats and squirrels sometimes share the same attic and the same entry points. Our squirrel removal in Winter Haven can be done alongside rat work.
Get rats out of your Winter Haven home
Text or call (321) 203-6963 and we’ll set up a time to look at the house. We use the same approach as our Orlando rat removal, and also cover Lakeland.