A Field Guide To Florida Rodents
Three species, and which one you have is written in the tail length and the droppings.
Rodents
Also Known As
Roof rat, black rat, ship rat, brown rat, sewer rat, house mouse
Size
Mouse 7 to 10cm body, rats 18 to 25cm body
Active
Nocturnal, peak activity in the hours after dark
Lifespan
Around one year in the wild
Native To
Roof rat from tropical Asia, Norway rat from northern China, house mouse from central Asia
Quickest Tell
Tail length against body length. A roof rat's tail is longer than its body. A Norway rat's is shorter. A mouse has a disproportionately large head and ears for its size.
Already Know What You Have?
Most species here are covered on a plan from $139 a visit, with unlimited callbacks between visits.
Rodents cause more damage through gnawing and nesting than most people expect. This page covers identification, then how exclusion and trapping work.
What They Look Like
Rats and mice vary in size, but both have pointed noses, small ears, and long, mostly hairless tails.
Commonly Confused With
Mice and young rats are sometimes confused. Droppings and gnaw-mark size are the more reliable tell.
How They Live
Rodents breed quickly, with females capable of producing several litters a year once established.
Opportunistic feeders, drawn to accessible food, pet food, and even the water source itself.
Mostly active at night, and prone to nesting in wall voids, attics, and other undisturbed spaces.
Where They Came From
They move in through small gaps around the building envelope, often following utility lines or rooflines.
Signs You Have Them
Droppings, gnaw marks, grease trails along walls, and scratching sounds at night.
Indoor activity tends to pick up as outdoor temperatures drop.
Seeing these signs at home? We will identify it and treat it on the same visit.
Are They Dangerous?
Can carry disease and trigger allergies, and gnawing poses a genuine fire risk to wiring.
Outdoors, rodents are part of the food chain for many predators, which is one reason exclusion is preferred over broad poisoning.
Worried about children or pets? Treatment goes into harbourage and entry points, not living space.
Myths Worth Dropping
A common myth is that a cat or trap alone solves an established infestation. Sealing entry points is what actually stops it.
What You Can Do Yourself
Store food in sealed containers and trim vegetation away from the structure. Sealing entry points is usually worth a professional assessment.
Know What You Have. Now Get Rid Of It.
See the treatment, the timeline and the price for this species, then book the first visit.
Recent Blog Posts
Serving Sarasota County
SENTRY
PEST CO
Straightforward pest control for Sarasota County. One technician, one route, no rotating names.
Sarasota & Manatee Counties
© 2026 Sentry Pest Co. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service