Rats in Palm Trees, Fruit Trees and Yards in Miami
A lot of Miami rat problems start in the yard. Palms, mango and avocado trees, sea grape hedges and thick vines on a fence give roof rats a place to nest and a place to eat, all within jumping distance of the roof.
You'll hear them at night in the trees, find half-eaten fruit still on the branch, or see one running along the top of the fence at dusk. The house is usually next on their list.
The trees they like
UF/IFAS names the skirt of dead fronds on palms as a roof rat nesting spot, along with hollow trees and debris piles. Palms that haven't been trimmed in a while carry a thick layer of dead fronds and fiber, which is dry, high and hidden. Fruit trees add food. A mango tree in June or an avocado in late summer can feed a lot of rats.
- Untrimmed palms with a skirt of brown fronds
- Mango, avocado and citrus trees with fruit left on the tree or the ground
- Dense vines on fences and walls
- Wood piles, stacked pavers and old lumber along the side yard
- Bird feeders and pet food left outside overnight
Cutting off the road to the roof
UF/IFAS suggests pruning trees so they're spaced away from roofs, fences and wires, and wrapping trunks with a band of sheet metal 18 to 24 inches wide so rats can't climb. A tree trimmer handles the pruning. Some pest companies install trunk guards, and some leave it to you.
Pick up fallen fruit every day while the trees are producing. Trim palms on a regular schedule. Move wood piles away from the house and up off the ground. It's dull work, and it takes away what keeps rats in your yard.
Hearing them right now? Call (305) 555-0101 and we'll put you through to a licensed rodent company in Miami-Dade.
Traps and stations outdoors
Outdoor trapping should happen at night, per UF/IFAS, so birds and squirrels out in the daytime aren't caught by mistake. Any outdoor bait should sit in locked, tamper-resistant stations. If you have dogs that spend time in the yard, tell the provider so they can plan around them.
Yard work alone won't fix rats that are already in the attic. If you hear them overhead too, see attic rodent removal and sealing the roofline.
Common questions
Do I have to cut down my fruit trees?
No. Keep them trimmed back from the roof and fence, pick up fruit, and consider trunk guards. Plenty of people keep their mangos and lose the rats.
What about iguanas or squirrels in the trees?
This line only handles rats and mice. For iguanas, squirrels or other wildlife, you'll need a wildlife company.
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