If you’re hearing scratching in the attic at night or finding droppings behind the refrigerator, there’s a good chance you have a roof rat problem. In Sarasota, that’s the most common scenario — roof rats thrive in the county’s warm climate, mature tree canopy, and dense residential neighborhoods, and they’re one of the most damaging pest problems homeowners here deal with.

At Prodigy Pest Solutions, rodent control is one of our core specialties. We don’t just set a few traps and call it done. We perform a full inspection of your home, identify and photograph every entry point, seal them permanently with professional-grade materials, and follow up until the problem is completely gone. If you’ve dealt with a company that set traps but never stopped the rodents from coming back, our approach will be a different experience.

Get a Free Quote: prodigypest.com/get-quote/  |  Call: (941) 567-4225

Signs You Have a Rodent Problem

Rodents are secretive. By the time most homeowners realize they have a problem, the infestation has already grown. Here’s what to watch for:

Sounds in the Attic or Walls

Scratching, scurrying, or gnawing sounds — especially at night — are one of the earliest signs of a rodent infestation. Roof rats are nocturnal and most active after dark. If you hear movement above the ceiling or inside the walls between dusk and dawn, take it seriously.

Droppings

Rat droppings are dark, spindle-shaped, and about the size of a raisin. They show up most often along baseboards, in kitchen cabinets, behind appliances, and in attic insulation. Fresh droppings are soft and dark; older ones are dry and brittle. Either way, droppings confirm active rodent activity in your home.

Gnaw Marks

Rodents chew constantly — their teeth never stop growing. Look for gnaw marks on baseboards, door frames, food packaging, and electrical wiring. Chewed wiring is a serious fire hazard and one of the most expensive consequences of an untreated rodent problem.

Grease Marks and Runways

Rodents follow the same paths over and over, leaving dark, greasy smear marks along walls, pipes, and beams from the oils in their fur. These rub marks become more pronounced over time and often reveal exactly how rodents are moving through your home.

Nesting Materials

Shredded insulation, paper, fabric, or plant material gathered into a compact pile indicates an active nest. Roof rats typically nest in attic insulation, inside wall voids, or in dense vegetation near the roofline.

Our Rodent Control Process

Our process is built around one principle: find the source, seal the source, and eliminate what’s inside. Here’s how we handle every rodent job in Sarasota:

Step 1: Full Home Inspection

A licensed Prodigy technician performs a comprehensive inspection of your home — the roof, soffits, fascia, eaves, foundation perimeter, and attic. We’re looking for every gap, crack, and opening larger than a quarter of an inch. Roof rats can squeeze through a hole the size of a nickel. Most homeowners are surprised by how many potential entry points exist even on a well-maintained home.

Step 2: Photo Documentation and Quote

Every entry point we find gets photographed. You’ll receive a complete report with photos of what we found, where we found it, and what needs to be done. This isn’t just for peace of mind — it creates accountability and lets you see exactly what you’re paying for before you commit to anything.

Step 3: Sealing All Entry Points

Once you approve the quote, we seal every documented entry point using professional-grade materials built to last — hardware cloth, copper mesh, steel flashing, and foam. Unlike trapping alone, exclusion work eliminates the way rodents are getting in. They can’t come back through a sealed entry point.

Step 4: Interior Trapping

If there’s an active infestation at the time of exclusion, some rodents may have been sealed inside. We set traps in the attic and other key areas to catch any remaining rodents. This step is essential — sealing entry points without trapping the rodents inside can lead to them dying in wall voids, which creates a serious odor problem.

Step 5: Follow-Up and Monitoring

We schedule a follow-up visit to check traps, remove any catches, and confirm the infestation has been fully resolved. Most jobs are wrapped up within about a week from the initial inspection. We don’t consider the job done until you’re rodent-free.

Rodents Common to Sarasota Homes

Roof Rats

Roof rats (Rattus rattus) are the dominant rodent species in Sarasota County and the most common culprit in attic infestations throughout the area. They’re sleek, dark-colored, and exceptional climbers — reaching your roofline via tree branches, utility lines, and downspouts. According to the University of Florida IFAS Extension, roof rats are found throughout Florida and are especially prevalent in residential neighborhoods with mature tree canopy — which describes much of Sarasota. Females produce up to five litters per year, so a small problem grows quickly without treatment.

Norway Rats

Norway rats are larger, heavier-bodied rodents that tend to burrow rather than climb. They’re less common than roof rats in Sarasota but do appear near water sources, storm drains, and properties adjacent to wooded or low-lying areas. Norway rats typically enter structures through ground-level gaps in the foundation or crawl spaces.

House Mice

House mice are smaller than rats but can cause significant damage to insulation, food stores, and wiring. They’re prolific breeders — a single pair can produce dozens of offspring in a matter of months. Mice require even smaller entry points than rats, which makes thorough exclusion work especially important.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have roof rats or mice?

Size is the main difference. Roof rat droppings are approximately 12–13mm long, tapered at both ends. Mouse droppings are much smaller — about 3–6mm — with pointed ends. Roof rats also tend to leave gnaw marks and grease marks along elevated surfaces like rafters and wall tops, while mice stay lower and closer to food sources. If you’re not sure, call us — we’ll identify what you’re dealing with during the inspection.

Can’t I just set traps myself?

You can, but trapping without sealing the entry points is an endless cycle. New rodents will move in as fast as you catch the existing ones. Professional exclusion is what breaks the cycle for good.

Will rodents die in my walls if you seal the entry points?

This is a legitimate concern, and it’s why interior trapping is always part of our process when there’s an active infestation. We never seal a home and walk away without addressing the population inside first.

How long does rodent exclusion take?

The initial inspection takes one to two hours depending on the size of the home. Exclusion work — sealing all entry points — is typically completed in a half to full day. Including the follow-up visit to check traps, most jobs are fully resolved within about a week.

Do you use poison bait?

We use traps rather than rodenticide bait inside the home. Rodenticide bait can cause rodents to die in inaccessible wall voids, creating an odor problem that is difficult and expensive to remediate.

What does rodent control cost in Sarasota?

Cost varies based on the size of your home and the number of entry points requiring exclusion. We provide a detailed, itemized quote before any work begins — no surprises. Request your free quote here.

Do you guarantee your exclusion work?

Yes. Our exclusion work is backed by a warranty. If rodents re-enter through a sealed entry point, we return and re-treat it at no charge. Call us for specifics on our warranty terms.

Stop the Problem at the Source

If you’re dealing with rodents in your Sarasota home, don’t wait for it to get worse. Roof rat populations grow fast, and the damage they cause compounds over time. Prodigy Pest Solutions will inspect your home, show you exactly what we find, seal every entry point, and follow up until the problem is fully resolved.

Call (941) 567-4225 or request a free quote online to get started.

→ Get a Free Quote: prodigypest.com/get-quote/  |  Call: (941) 567-4225