Rodents After a Hurricane or Big Storm in Miami

Miami people know the routine after a storm: check the roof, clear the yard, deal with whatever the power outage did to the fridge. Rodents belong on that list too. Wind opens gaps in the roofline, debris piles give rats cover, and spoiled food draws them in.

Here's what to check once it's safe to go outside, using the CDC's advice for after a disaster plus what local providers look for.

Check the roofline

High wind loosens soffit panels, tears vent screens and lifts or breaks tile. Every one of those is a new way in. Once it's safe, walk around the house and look up, the same way you would for any roof damage. Note anything that looks out of place and mention it to your roofer and to the rodent provider.

• Soffit panels pulled loose or hanging
• Vent screens bent or torn
• Broken or shifted tile at the eaves
• Limbs that fell onto the roof or now rest against the house

Clear debris quickly

The CDC advises cleaning up debris and trash outside your home as soon as you can and keeping trash in covered cans. Piles of branches, fronds and broken fence boards make good rat cover. If you have to stack debris for pickup, keep it away from the house.

Food and trash after an outage

Spoiled food from the fridge and freezer draws rodents fast. Bag it, put it in a covered can and get it out as soon as pickup allows. Store food and water in thick plastic, glass or metal containers with tight lids, as the CDC recommends. Wash dishes and utensils after use.

Going back into a closed-up building

If a house, rental or business has been closed for a long time after a storm, the CDC suggests airing it out for two to three days before going back in. If you see droppings or nests, don't sweep or vacuum them. Soak them with disinfectant or a 1-to-10 bleach solution, wait five minutes and wipe up with paper towels. Bag everything and throw it away outside.

For anything bigger than a few droppings, especially in an attic, see rodent cleanup.

Before the next storm

Trim trees back from the roof before the season gets busy, both for wind and for rats. Make sure vent screens and soffits are solid. Keep a few snap traps and gloves in the hurricane supplies. The rodent-proofing checklist covers the rest.

Services that fit: Rodent Exclusion, Rodent Cleanup, Attic Rodent Removal