Rat Biology

Rats in Your Home Are a Health Emergency — Not Just a Nuisance

Rats are among the most destructive and dangerous pests a Florida homeowner can face. They breed rapidly, contaminate everything they touch, and cause structural damage that compounds every day they go unaddressed. If you've heard scratching in your walls or attic, or spotted droppings in your kitchen or garage, the problem is almost certainly larger than it appears. Critter 911 has been eliminating rat infestations across Central Florida for over 21 years — completely, permanently, and with a lifetime renewable warranty.

How Critter 911 Handles Rats

• Thorough 12-point inspection to locate all entry points, nesting areas, and travel paths

• Integrated trapping and treatment program tailored to species (Roof Rat, Norway Rat, or House Mouse)

• Permanent seal-up of every identified entry point using lasting materials

• Dead rat removal and odor decontamination

• Attic sterilization and full insulation restoration

• Wiring, duct, and plumbing damage repair

• Outside population control to prevent re-infestation

• Fluorescent powder tracking and thermal imaging for hidden activity

What Rats Actually Do to Your Property

• Electrical Fires

Rats gnaw constantly to keep their teeth filed down. Electrical wiring is a primary target. Exposed wiring inside walls and attics is one of the leading causes of residential fires — and rodents are responsible for a significant share of them. If rats have been in your attic, a wiring inspection is not optional.

• Plumbing Damage & Water Intrusion

Rats seek water sources inside structures. Plastic PVC piping inside walls and attics is frequently targeted. A gnawed pipe can go undetected for weeks, causing water damage, mold, and costly repairs far beyond the original pest problem.

• AC & Duct Damage

Rats chew into ductwork easily. Once inside, they nest, defecate, and die within the system — sending contaminated air throughout your home. Damaged ducts also cause your energy bills to rise sharply as conditioned air escapes into the attic.

• Disease & Contamination

Rats are vectors for Hantavirus, Salmonellosis, Leptospirosis, and Rat-Bite Fever. Their urine and fecal droppings contaminate surfaces and insulation, and the pathogens remain active long after the animal is gone. Parasites including fleas, mites, and ticks arrive with them and can persist in your home independently.

Understanding Ratss in Central Florida

Central Florida is home to three primary rat species, each with distinct behaviors that affect how they must be managed.

The Roof Rat (Rattus rattus) is by far the most common species in Florida. Also called the black rat or fruit rat, it is an exceptional climber and almost always enters structures from above — through rooflines, soffits, and gaps around pipes. Roof Rats nest in attics, wall voids, and in dense vegetation outside. They are neophobic (cautious of new objects), which is why amateur trapping so frequently fails. A population of Roof Rats can go from a few animals to dozens in weeks.

The Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus), also called the brown rat or sewer rat, is larger and more aggressive than the Roof Rat. It tends to burrow and occupy lower levels of structures — crawlspaces, utility areas, and ground-level wall voids. Norway Rats are less common in residential attics but are a significant concern in commercial food service, multi-unit properties, and properties near bodies of water.

The House Mouse (Mus musculus) is the smallest of the three and can squeeze through a gap the size of a dime. Mice reproduce faster than rats — a single female can produce up to 10 litters per year. They contaminate far more food than they consume and are responsible for widespread fecal contamination throughout any space they occupy.

All three species are nocturnal, socially structured, and capable of surviving in conditions humans would consider uninhabitable. DIY efforts — snap traps, glue boards, poison bait — routinely fail for several reasons: they address individual animals rather than the population, they do not seal entry points, and they do not decontaminate. A poisoned rat frequently dies inside a wall or duct, creating a new and compounding odor and contamination problem. Professional elimination requires an integrated approach: inspection, trapping, exclusion, repair, and remediation — in that order.

Why Critter 911 Is the Right Choice

• Flat-rate pricing — no hidden fees or escalating costs

• Lifetime renewable warranty on all exclusion work

• We do not push unnecessary services to pad the bill

• We guarantee to meet or beat any written estimate for the same work

• Fully trained, licensed, and insured

• A+ rated — Google, Angie's List, BBB

• 21 years in business — 3,000+ Central Florida neighbors served

If you have heard activity in your attic, found droppings, or seen a rat anywhere inside your home, call Critter 911 today at 407-719-6221. Our initial inspection is free, thorough, and educational. We will show you exactly what you are dealing with and what it takes to resolve it — permanently.

Call Now: 407-719-6221 | Free Inspection | Flat-Rate Pricing | Lifetime Warranty