Need Pest Control Help? call and ask us about our specials today!
Exterminateur de rongeurs à proximité
If you’re dealing with rodent activity in St. Augustine, FL, Imperial Pest Prevention is ready to help. We provide professional, results-driven rodent control in St. Augustine and throughout St. Johns County, with strategies designed to address the real causes of recurring infestations, not just the symptoms.
Rodents can damage wiring, contaminate food and storage areas, and create costly long-term issues for homes and businesses. A structured, local plan makes all the difference.
Êtes-vous prêt à tout savoir sur les rats et les rongeurs? Le joli nom du mot redouté «R» (rat) qui effraie la plupart des propriétaires. Tout le monde sait que ce rongeur destructeur à fourrure peut faire des ravages une fois qu'il peut pénétrer dans une maison. Il y a eu de nombreux cas documentés de rongeurs mâchant des fils, conduisant à des incendies, saturant l'isolation avec de l'urine et des excréments, mâchant des conduits, etc. Ce n'est un secret pour personne que les rats et les souris sont connus pour leur capacité à se reproduire rapidement, ce qui signifie qu'ils se multiplient à un rythme alarmant. Un rongeur vu pourrait signifier que beaucoup d'autres sont là et ne sont pas encore trouvés. C'est pourquoi il est important de faire appel à un spécialiste professionnel de la lutte contre les rongeurs, comme Imperial Pest Prevention. Cliquez sur ce lien ici pour voir Rat Facts 101 .
Danger des rongeurs: maintenant que nous avons discuté des dommages que nos intrus à fourrure peuvent causer, plongeons-nous dans les faits et dangers réels des rongeurs et des maladies , des risques pour la santé, des maladies, etc. Les rats et les souris peuvent être porteurs de nombreuses maladies et agents pathogènes pouvant causer des problèmes extrêmes. danger pour les humains, excréments de rongeurs, morsures, urines, contamination croisée des zones de préparation des aliments, etc. Les rats et les souris ont également transmis des maladies aux humains et aux enfants par le biais de parasites se nourrissant de rongeurs. Les acariens, les tiques et les puces sont couramment fréquentés en utilisant des rats et des souris comme hôte d'alimentation. Une seule morsure sur un rongeur infecté suffit!
Comment savoir si j'ai une infestation de rongeurs?
Identifying a rodent infestation early can save you time, money, and stress. Rodents, including mice and rats, are more than a nuisance, they can spread disease, contaminate food and surfaces, and cause costly damage to wiring, insulation, and building materials.
Here are several common signs that may indicate a rodent infestation in your St. Augustine home or business.
Droppings and Urine Odor
One of the most obvious signs of rodent activity is the
Les rongeurs ne sont pas toujours à l'air libre immédiatement pour que quelqu'un puisse déterminer qu'ils peuvent avoir une infestation ou un départ. Le moyen le plus rapide de savoir si vous avez une infestation est d'appeler un professionnel comme Imperial Pest Prevention. Notre personnel est parfaitement prêt et formé pour détecter immédiatement les signes de problèmes de rongeurs ou d'infestations. Que cherchons-nous, vous avez demandé?
Nos inspections de rongeurs comprennent, mais sans s'y limiter, l'extérieur et l'intérieur de la propriété. Nous ciblons tous les points d'entrée dans lesquels un rongeur peut être capable de finir son petit corps pliable. Ces points d'entrée sont généralement situés dans un soffite ouvert, des planches de façade, des tuyaux de ventilation dans le toit, des évents de faîte et de faîte, des conduites de climatiseur qui coulent dans ou sous une maison, des cadres de fenêtres, des coupe-froid défectueux, etc.
Les inspections des greniers révèlent généralement ce coupable caché car les rats et les souris manquent de contrôle sur les intestins et défèquent et urinent continuellement à leur guise. Cette odeur distincte de l'urine est un signe révélateur d'une infestation avec les excréments de rongeurs. Un appel à Imperial Pest Prevention confirmera soit la bonne nouvelle que vous vouliez entendre, soit la mauvaise que vous étiez à peu près sûre de déjà connaître. La chose importante à retenir est que nous pouvons gérer cela pour vous avec un taux de réussite sans faille et rapide.
What Are The Different Types of Rats In Florida?
Florida’s warm, coastal climate supports several rodent species, and rats are among the most common culprits homeowners and businesses encounter.
For residents and property owners in St. Augustine and across St. Johns County, understanding which rats and rat-like rodents are most likely in your area can help with early detection and faster, more effective control.
Below is a localized, breakdown of the most common rat species found in Florida.
Norway Rats (Rattus norvegicus)
Norway rats, also called brown rats or sewer rats, are one of the most widespread rat species in Florida’s urban environments. These rats typically prefer lower levels and ground-based nesting sites. In commercial properties and dense residential areas, they may nest near:
-
Utility corridors
-
Drainage areas
-
Crawl spaces and ground-level voids
-
Trash and loading zones
They are stocky, with blunt noses and coarse brown-gray fur. Norway rats are strong burrowers and excellent swimmers, which is why they are often associated with sewer and drainage systems.
Roof Rats (Rattus rattus)
Roof rats, sometimes called black rats, are extremely common across Florida and are especially relevant in coastal and tree-rich communities like St. Augustine. They are agile climbers and prefer elevated nesting areas such as:
-
Attics
-
Rooflines
-
Wall voids
-
Palms, oaks, and dense landscaping
Roof rats are slimmer than Norway rats with pointed noses and large ears. They often feed on fruits, nuts, and seeds, which can make outdoor landscaping and nearby vegetation a major attractant.
Cotton Rats (Sigmodon hispidus)
Cotton rats are more common in grassy, overgrown, or semi-rural areas rather than dense urban cores. They can be a concern near:
-
Vacant lots
-
Overgrown fields
-
Thick ground cover
-
Garden edges
Their fur is coarse and usually gray-brown. While not the first rodent people think of, they can become a nuisance when landscaping and vegetation provide shelter close to structures.
Marsh Rice Rats (Oryzomys palustris)
Marsh rice rats are native to the southeastern U.S. and thrive around wetlands, marshes, and river-adjacent ecosystems. In a region with coastal water systems like St. Johns County, they may be present in areas near:
-
Marshy lots
-
Retention ponds
-
Creek systems
-
Waterfront properties
They are smaller and more habitat-specific than Norway or roof rats but can occasionally wander into structures near their natural environments.
Wood Rats (Neotoma spp.)
Wood rats are more common in wooded or rural settings. They’re known for collecting debris to build nests and may become a nuisance in:
-
Sheds
-
Garages
-
Storage buildings
-
Rural or semi-rural properties
They are less likely to be the primary rodent issue in dense city zones but still worth recognizing in outlying areas of St. Johns County.
Why Species Identification Matters
Each rodent has different nesting habits, travel patterns, and entry behaviors. Correct identification helps determine:
-
Where to inspect first
-
Which exclusion points matter most
-
Which prevention steps will be most effective
Rodent Control in St. Augustine, FL
If you suspect rat activity, early action is key. The longer rodents remain active, the greater the risk of property damage, contamination, and repeat infestations.
Imperial Pest Prevention provides structured, prevention-forward rodent control in St. Augustine and throughout St. Johns County, including inspection, targeted control, and entry-point guidance.
Call 386-956-9506 to schedule professional rat and mouse control in St. Augustine, FL.
Can Rodents Make You Sick?
Yes, rodents can make you sick, and understanding how they spread illness is an important part of protecting your home or business in St. Augustine, FL.
Rats and mice can carry pathogens that affect humans, and the risks increase when rodents are active in kitchens, storage areas, attics, garages, restaurants, or multi-unit buildings.
Below is a clear breakdown you can copy and paste for your St. Augustine rodent page.
Can Rodents Make You Sick?
Yes. Rodents can spread diseases to humans, and some of these illnesses can be serious. Exposure most often happens through direct contact, contaminated food or surfaces, or inhaling particles from rodent droppings or urine.
How Rodent Diseases Spread
Direct Transmission
Rodent-related illness can occur through:
-
Bite wounds, which may transmit conditions such as rat-bite fever.
-
Handling rodents or their waste can expose people to bacteria and viruses.
Indirect Transmission
Rodents can spread disease without direct contact through:
-
Fleas, ticks, and mites, which can move from rodents to people.
-
Contaminated food or water, when rodents leave droppings, urine, or saliva in pantries, kitchens, or storage areas.
Inhalation Risks
This is one of the most overlooked hazards:
-
Airborne particles from dried urine or droppings can become disturbed during cleaning.
-
In enclosed spaces, this exposure can raise the risk of respiratory illness.
Common Diseases Associated With Rodents
Rodents have been linked to:
-
Hantavirus, a serious respiratory illness tied to inhaling contaminated dust.
-
Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection associated with water or surfaces contaminated by rodent urine.
-
Salmonellosis, a foodborne illness caused by consuming contaminated food or water.
-
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, LCM, a viral disease linked to exposure to fresh urine, droppings, saliva, or nesting materials.
-
Plague, which is rare today, but historically associated with fleas that feed on infected rodents.
Prevention Tips for Homes and Businesses
To reduce health risks and avoid infestations in St. Augustine and St. Johns County, focus on:
-
Sanitation
-
Clean crumbs, grease, and spills quickly.
-
Remove trash routinely and keep lids sealed.
-
-
Food Storage
-
Use rodent-resistant containers.
-
Avoid leaving pet food out overnight.
-
-
Exclusion
-
Seal cracks, gaps, and utility entry points.
-
Install door sweeps and repair damaged screens.
-
-
Safe Cleanup
-
Wear gloves and a mask when cleaning suspicious areas.
-
Avoid dry sweeping of droppings.
-
-
Professional Support
-
If you suspect activity, professional inspection and control can help stop the problem at the source.
-
Rodent Control in St. Augustine, FL
If you are noticing droppings, scratching sounds, gnaw damage, or daytime rodent sightings, it is smart to act quickly. Early intervention helps reduce contamination risk and prevents expensive property damage.
Imperial Pest Prevention provides structured, prevention-forward rodent control in St. Augustine, FL, including inspection, targeted removal strategies, and entry-point guidance.
Call 386-956-9506 to schedule professional rat and mouse control in St. Augustine and throughout St. Johns County.