Scratching in the attic at night? In Tampa that usually means roof rats. They climb palm trees and oak limbs, slip under the roofline and nest in attic insulation.
Trapping alone rarely solves it. You want a company that finds the entry points, seals them and comes back to check. Every company below has a Tampa office, and we list what each one says it does.
Haskell Termite & Pest Control
A locally based Tampa pest control company that handles rats, mice and squirrels alongside general pest and termite work. Its rodent program pairs exclusion work on entry points with trapping.
- Area
- Tampa Bay area
- Address
- 1519 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33603
- Phone
- (813) 239-1790
- Website
- haskell-termite.com
- States it has served the Tampa Bay area since 1992
- Publishes license number JB4360 on its website
- Rodent services listed: rodent exclusion and rodent trapping
- Also offers general pest and termite control
Critter Control of Tampa
A wildlife and rodent removal franchise operating out of north Tampa that focuses on getting animals out of homes and keeping them out. Its rat service covers trapping, sealing entry points and cleaning up contaminated attic areas.
- Area
- Tampa, New Tampa, Brandon, Clearwater and surrounding Tampa Bay communities
- Address
- 1717 E Busch Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612
- Phone
- (813) 948-0870
- Website
- crittercontroloftampa.com
- States it has been removing household pests since 1983
- Independently licensed and operated by Culver Services, LLC, dba Critter Control of Tampa
- Rat services: trapping and bait stations, exclusion (sealing entry points) with a warranty, cleanup and sanitation
- Offers attic insulation and restoration and attic vent services
Massey Services - Tampa
A large Florida-founded pest, termite and lawn company with a Tampa service center plus East Tampa and New Tampa locations. Its rodent service starts with an inspection, then seals access points and uses bait stations or traps.
- Area
- Tampa (additional East Tampa and New Tampa locations)
- Address
- 1001 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tampa, FL 33603
- Phone
- (813) 612-9804
- Website
- masseyservices.com
- Website states 'Trusted Since 1985'
- Rodent service: inspection for entry points and nests, sealing access areas, bait stations or traps
- Offers exclusion services and recurring pest prevention
- Also provides termite treatment, irrigation and commercial services in Tampa
Truly Nolen of Tampa
A long-running national pest control brand with a branch on North Florida Avenue in Tampa. Its rodent service includes an inspection, treatment, and exclusion and prevention steps for roof rats and mice.
- Area
- Tampa
- Address
- 4842 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33603
- Phone
- (813) 238-8189
- Website
- locations.trulynolen.com
- Rodent control page mentions roof rats and mice and lists inspection, treatment, and exclusion/prevention
- Also offers pest control, termite control, lawn care and insulation
- Company history page traces its founder's start in pest control to 1938 in Miami
The Rodent Pros
A rodent-focused company with a Tampa office on Kennedy Boulevard and a second office in Clearwater. It concentrates on rodent trapping, exclusion and post-infestation cleanup rather than general bug control.
- Area
- Cities within about 50 miles of Tampa
- Address
- 1810 W Kennedy Blvd, Suite 314, Tampa, FL 33606
- Phone
- (727) 922-4637
- Website
- therodentprofessionals.com
- States over 20 years of experience
- Services listed: rodent trapping (snap, kill and live traps), removal, exclusion, sanitation and remediation, attic restoration
- Also lists an office at 600 Cleveland Street, Suite 374, Clearwater, FL 33755
Terminix - Tampa
A national pest and termite company with a branch office in east Tampa. The branch offers rodent control along with a rodent and wildlife exclusion service and attic insulation.
- Area
- Tampa
- Address
- 4312 N 56th Street, Tampa, FL 33610
- Phone
- (813) 261-8152
- Website
- terminix.com
- Branch page lists Rodent Control Services and Wildlife and Rodent Control in Tampa
- Offers rodent and wildlife exclusion (branded Flexi Armour) and attic insulation
- Also provides general pest and termite control
How to choose
Check the FDACS license
Florida requires every pest control business location to hold a state license. Look the company up in the FDACS Pest Control Database before anyone sets foot in your attic.
Ask about exclusion, not just traps
Traps catch the rats you have today. Sealing gaps at the roofline, vents and soffits keeps new ones out. Ask what the company seals and with what material.
Get the warranty in writing
Many companies back their exclusion work for a set period. Ask how long, what it covers and whether follow-up visits cost extra.
Ask about attic cleanup
Rats leave droppings and urine in insulation. Find out if the company cleans and replaces insulation or if you need a second contractor.
What to know about rats in Tampa
- UF/IFAS Extension identifies the Norway rat, roof rat and house mouse as the most persistent rodent pests needing control in Florida homes. Source
- Roof rats are climbers that prefer to nest off the ground; UF/IFAS says they do well in attics, roof spaces, palm trees and ornamental shrubbery, and can gnaw electrical wires and rafters in attics. Source
- In Florida, Norway rats are most common along sea coasts and canals, especially where garbage is poorly stored, and they burrow under buildings, slabs and rubbish rather than nesting up high. Source
- Droppings help tell species apart: roof rat droppings are up to 1/2 inch and spindle-shaped, Norway rat droppings about 3/4 inch and capsule-shaped, and house mouse droppings about 1/8 inch. Source
- Common signs of rats include fresh black, shiny droppings, gnaw marks on wood and wires, dark greasy rub marks along runways (rafters may show roof rat swing marks), and scratching or gnawing sounds at night. Source
- Rats are mostly active at night; UF/IFAS notes that seeing rats in daytime can indicate a large population, disease or poisoning. Source
- Florida law requires each structural pest control business location to be licensed by FDACS, carry required insurance, and employ a full-time Florida-certified operator in charge certified in the categories it performs, such as General Household Pest and Rodent Control. Source
- Consumers can check a company's license through the FDACS Pest Control Database Search, which covers licensed pest control companies and applicators. Source
This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules change, so confirm with the source or a licensed professional.
Common questions
What kind of rats live in Tampa attics?
Mostly roof rats. They climb, nest off the ground and favor attics, palm trees and thick shrubs. Norway rats burrow instead and show up more near canals and the coast.
How do I know if I have rats or mice?
Look at the droppings. Roof rat droppings run up to half an inch long and are pointed at the ends. Mouse droppings are about an eighth of an inch.
How do I check a Tampa pest control license?
Search the company name in the FDACS Pest Control Database. Florida requires every pest control business location to be licensed and insured.
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