The 5 Most Common Rodents in Florida

If you’re hearing scratching in your walls or spotting tiny droppings in your attic, you’re not alone. Florida's warm climate and diverse landscapes make it a prime location for a variety of rodents to thrive, some of which you may not even realize are living nearby.

From scurrying in garages to nesting in attics, rodents can sneak in fast and cause a lot of problems if you’re not paying attention. In this article, you’ll learn about the most common rodents in Florida, how to identify them, and why it’s important to act quickly by reaching out to pest control services if you notice signs of a rodent infestation.

Let’s take a closer look at the top five culprits.

Key takeaways:

• Florida’s warm climate keeps rodent activity high year-round.
• Common species include roof rats, Norway rats, house mice, cotton rats, and deer mice.
• Early signs like droppings or scratching sounds can signal a growing infestation.
• Sealing entry points and acting quickly helps prevent costly damage.
   

1. Roof rats (aka black rats)

Roof rats are probably the most common rats we find in homes across South Florida. Also called black rats, these climbers are long and lean, with tails longer than their bodies. They’re skilled at squeezing through small openings and often make their way into attics, wall voids, and even the tops of kitchen cabinets.

If you’ve got fruit trees in your yard, especially citrus or mango, roof rats will use them as a food source and nesting area. Once they get inside, they chew on everything from insulation to electrical wires, creating fire hazards and costly damage.

Signs to watch for:

• Gnaw marks in attics or near your roofline
• Droppings with pointed ends
• Scratching or scurrying sounds above the ceiling at night
   

2. Norway rats

Heavier and bulkier than roof rats, Norway rats usually burrow rather than climb. They love basements, crawlspaces, and even the soil under patios or sheds. While they’re more common in Central Florida and areas like Gainesville and Tampa, they’ve been known to travel far for food and water.

Norway rats are destructive diggers. Their burrows can weaken structural foundations and let moisture seep in where it shouldn’t.

Where do they hide?

• Along foundations
• Under porches or in basements
• Near garbage bins and compost piles
   

What to look for:

• Larger, blunt-ended droppings
• Dirt trails and greasy marks along baseboards
• Burrow outside your Florida home or near garages

3. House mice

Small but persistent, house mice are another frequent invader, especially in homes around Palm Beach and Central Florida. They build nests inside walls using shredded paper, fabric, and even insulation. Don’t be fooled by their size, these critters can squeeze through holes the width of a pencil.

Because they reproduce quickly, a single mouse can turn into a full-blown rodent infestation in a matter of weeks.

Common entry points:

• Gaps under doors
• Vents and utility lines
• Cracks in foundations
   

Keep an eye out for:

• Tiny droppings (like grains of rice)
• Noises behind walls at night
• Nesting materials in drawers or storage boxes

4. Cotton rats

Often found in overgrown vegetation or near fields, cotton rats are a lesser-known but still common rodent species in Florida. Unlike house mice, cotton rats are wild rodents, not house dwellers, but they can move inside when the weather shifts or their habitat is disturbed.

They’re often found in rural or suburban areas throughout South and Central Florida, and can sometimes reach urban zones with dense vegetation.

Unique traits:

• Chunky build with coarse fur
• Shorter tails than roof rats
• Known for feeding on plants and seeds

While they don’t usually stick around inside your home, cotton rats can carry diseases like hantavirus, making them a concern if they’re nearby.

5. Deer mice

Deer mice aren’t seen as often in densely populated areas, but they’re worth mentioning due to the serious health risks they pose. These small rodents are known carriers of hantavirus, and they tend to be more of a concern in places like Gainesville or Northern Central Florida.

They store food and build nests in attics, garages, and basements, especially in vacation homes or places that stay closed up for parts of the year.

Look for:

• Two-tone fur: brownish on top, white on the belly
• Large ears and eyes
• Piles of stored food, like seeds or nuts

Why rodent control matters in Florida

Rodents don’t just make noise, they bring real risks into your home. From structural damage caused by chewing to the diseases spread through droppings and urine, ignoring a rodent problem is never a good idea.

Common signs of a rodent infestation:

• Droppings in drawers or cabinets
• Chewed food packaging or wires
• Burrows in your yard or garden beds
• Unusual pet behavior near walls or appliances

A single mouse can build nests in hidden corners and invite others in, turning one pest into a full-blown rodent problem in no time. That’s why professional rodent control is so important, especially in a warm, humid climate like Florida’s, which keeps rodents active year-round.

How to Keep Rodents Out of Your Florida Home

Whether you're in South Florida, Central Florida, or up near Gainesville, the best way to protect your home is to stay proactive. Seal off entry points, keep outdoor areas clean, and regularly inspect places like attics and garages for signs of activity.

If you’re hearing noises at night or spotting droppings, don’t wait to act and call your trusted pest control services. It’s much easier to deal with a few critters early than to manage a large rodent infestation down the line.

Need help with rodents in Florida?

At Native Pest Management, we’ve helped homeowners all across Florida deal with every type of rodent you can think of. From roof rats in attics to Norway rats digging burrows under sheds, we’ve seen it all, and we know how to stop it.