I have lived in Florida for 32 years with palm trees and never seen a Palm rat.

I realize that The Villages is not by the sea as its location is in central Florida. I alluded to "some communities by the sea" as I was aware that there is a rodent problem in those areas. I just didn't expect one in central Florida, particularly in TV, until I read the posts. I truly am terrified of rodents. We had a mouse in our northern home many years ago and I slept in the car, in the garage, in the dead of winter, until the mouse was gone. RATS would do me for sure!

How do you know about Queen Palms being their favorite? Cockroaches???? Oh my, oh my.......

OP, the skinny is like the "snipe" never seen one of those "so called" Palm Rats.

Junk = rats. Maybe time to clean out that garage?

Not sure if rats are attracted by the palm trees or from the fruit that some palms produce.Years ago a gentleman who owns a nursery/landscaping business that serves many Village clients told me that rats are attracted to citrus that drops and are left on ground. They are enjoy seeds etc. that drop from bird feeders. They also like things that are left around restaurant dumpsters and trash bins at mail stops. He also stated that rats and mice attracted to these things serve to attract snakes. All part of the food chain. He also advised that pampas grass planted in many areas serves as a natural nesting place for rats. Best way to avoid them is to not provide them with food or nesting areas.

If you are that afraid of rodents, there isn't anyplace in the world for you to live.

I suggest you stop over-blowing what little you have read and listen to the posters here.

Saw 2 small ones today while waiting to play Southern Star. Thought they were little bunnies at first but then saw their long tails. They were not the least bit afraid of us.

Get a cat.

7 palm trees...7 years...never saw a rat.

IMHO, the OP is explaining the intensity of the fear and not "over-blowing" what has been stated here.

Our property has 8 palm trees. We have yet to see a rat, much to the disappointment of our cats, who adored catching the field mice occasionally making their way into our previous 2 homes. I have 2 suggestions for you: 1) get a pest control company who will come to the house monthly and inspect; 2) consider a cat.

I always read back on the previous posts of a poster if I am skeptical about their post. There are only nine. She is looking for a rental, doesn't like Sarah Palin, knows about cruise ships, wonders if Dunedin is closer to Ocala or The Villages Hospital/

There has only been one post in the last few months on rodents that I can find, so there is not a lot of posts as she says...her quote; "I have read about rat problems in many posts. It seems that there are Palm rats galore."

Welcome to the forum Ericka. I was given the same scrutiny when I was a new poster and was thought to be a troll by many.

I will reassure you again that I have seen one palm or citrus rat since we bought here in 2007. Outside, near a palm tree.

If so, then I apologize. My initial thought was if you had to sleep in a cold garage due to fear of a mouse, it would be a problem anywhere.

I've seen fox, a coyote, feral pigs, alligators, turtles, snake, hawks, herons, cranes, ibis, but not 1 rat.