Margate grew out of former Everglades and farmland in the 1950s, and today about 59,000 people live along its tree-lined streets and roughly 30 miles of canals. Many homes and condominiums here date from the city's big growth decades, and many sit along the water. Toro Pest Management has protected South Florida since 1969, and our Margate plans are built for older homes, canal banks and the pests that like both.
- Since 1969Third generation, protecting South Florida
- 110% GuaranteeIf the bugs come back, so will Toro, at no additional cost
- Within 24 HoursResponse guaranteed
- Free InspectionPlus $25 off your first service
Why Margate Has Its Own Pest Challenges
When Margate began in the 1950s, much of the land was still Everglades or farmland. Founder Jack Marqusee saw the area as a “gateway” to western Broward County, and he combined the first three letters of his last name with the first four of “gateway” to name it. Margate was created as a town in 1955 and was incorporated as a city in 1961.
Then came the growth. The census counted 2,646 residents in 1960, 8,867 in 1970 and 35,900 by 1980, as subdivisions, condominium communities and adult communities spread across the former farmland. Large 55+ communities such as Paradise Gardens, with about 1,800 homes built from 1969 to 1982, Oriole Gardens and the Oriole Golf & Tennis Club date from that era. Today Margate has about 58,700 residents (2020 census) on roughly 9 square miles, with a median age of 44.3.
Water is everywhere. The city describes itself as a community of “tree-lined streets and 30 miles of canals,” and it sits about seven and a half miles inland from the Atlantic. Canals run behind many backyards, with seawalls, docks and banks of vegetation along the way.
That combination explains most of Margate’s pest calls. Homes and condominiums from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s are old enough to have hosted decades of termite swarms. Canal banks bring iguanas, mosquitoes and moist soil for subterranean termites right to the back door. Mature trees in established neighborhoods give roof rats easy access to attics. And South Florida’s tropical climate keeps it all going year-round, with a surge every rainy season.
Common Pests in Margate and Why They Show Up
Drywood Termites
Drywood termites live inside wood, not soil, so they can turn up in roof framing, window and door frames, cabinets and furniture. Margate's homes and condos from the growth decades have been through about half a century of swarm seasons, and it is common to find more than one colony in a single building.
Signs to watch for: small piles of sand-like pellets and wings on windowsills in spring.
Subterranean Termites
Damp soil next to canals is ideal for the invasive Formosan and Asian subterranean termites. According to a 2026 University of Florida study, a 2016 forecast is still on track: about half of urban South Florida's structures may be at risk from one or both by around 2040.
Signs to watch for: mud tubes on foundations, seawall caps and patio slabs.
Iguanas
Green iguanas are not native to Florida, and canals give them exactly what they want: sun, water and plants. Their burrows can erode canal banks and seawalls and undermine sidewalks and slabs, and they eat flowers, landscape plants and fruit. Our wildlife service handles exclusion and removal.
Roof Rats
Decades-old palms, mango and citrus trees and dense hedges let roof rats travel from yard to yard and onto roofs, where they slip in through gaps around vents and soffits. Our rodent control seals entry points, traps and monitors.
Signs to watch for: scratching at night, droppings in the attic and half-eaten fruit under trees.
American Cockroaches
Palmetto bugs live in sewers, storm drains, mulch and the vegetation along canals, and they come inside at night through drains, door gaps and weep holes, especially after heavy rain. German cockroaches are a separate, indoor problem in kitchens and shared buildings. See our cockroach guide.
Mosquitoes
Canal banks offer shade and humidity for resting mosquitoes, and the Aedes aegypti breeds in containers around the yard and dock: plant saucers, bromeliads, buckets and boat covers. It bites during the day. Our mosquito control targets breeding and resting sites.
Margate residents also call us about ghost ants and white-footed ants in kitchens (ant guide), fire ants in lawns, whiteflies on ficus hedges, chinch bugs browning St. Augustine grass (handled by our lawn spray service), silverfish in closets and bed bugs brought home from travel.
Residential Pest Control in Margate
Margate homes fall into a few groups, and each has its own weak spots. Single-family houses on canal lots need attention at the water’s edge: iguana burrows, overgrown banks and damp soil near the slab. Older homes inland need termite and roofline inspections. Condominiums and villas in 55+ communities need service coordinated with the association so pests do not move between units.
Our residential pest control starts with a free inspection inside and out, including the attic and, for canal homes, the seawall and bank. We explain what is attracting pests and how they are getting in, then recommend a plan, whether that is a one-time treatment or ongoing service. With regular service, our 110% Satisfaction Guarantee means that if the bugs come back, so will Toro, at no additional cost to you.
A few habits help a lot in Margate: keep vegetation trimmed back from the house and seawall, pick up fallen fruit, empty containers every week in summer and schedule a yearly termite inspection. If you spend part of the year away, have the home checked before you leave and when you come back.
Commercial Pest Control for Margate Businesses
Margate’s commercial life runs along State Road 7 and Margate Boulevard: shopping centers, restaurants, medical offices and services for a large population of residents. HCA Florida Northwest Hospital (formerly Northwest Medical Center) on State Road 7 anchors a health care cluster, the city runs 19 parks and recreational facilities, including the Calypso Cove aquatics facility, and condominium and adult communities are a big part of the city’s housing.
We provide commercial pest control for:
- Health care facilities and medical offices, where pest control is part of patient care and compliance.
- Property management companies and condominium, villa and homeowner associations.
- Restaurants and food service, where cockroaches, flies and rodents are a health code issue.
- Retail stores and shopping centers.
- Schools and government and public facilities.
Commercial programs include written service reports for inspections and boards, and visits are scheduled around your hours. Our technicians train at the TORO Institute, the training facility at our Miami headquarters, where on-staff entomologists teach food safety, sanitation, structural practices and pest management techniques.
Margate Pest Calendar: What to Expect Each Season
| Season | What is active in Margate | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (dry season) | Roof rats in attics, iguanas basking on seawalls, whiteflies on hedges | Trim trees away from the roof and book a termite inspection before spring. |
| March | Asian subterranean termite swarms around sunset, drywood swarms beginning | Turn off outdoor lights at dusk and save any wings for identification. |
| Late April to June | Formosan termite swarms, drywood swarms continuing, iguanas digging along banks | Check banks and seawalls for burrows and schedule an inspection. |
| Summer rainy season | Mosquitoes along canals, palmetto bugs pushed up from drains, ants indoors | Empty containers weekly and keep drains and gutters clear. |
| June to November (hurricane season) | Rodents and wildlife displaced by storms, mosquito surges after flooding | Clear storm debris quickly and inspect the attic and seawall afterward. |
How Our Margate Pest Control Service Works
- Free inspectionWe inspect your home or business inside and out, including the yard and canal edge, and identify the pests and their source.
- A plan you understandWe explain what we found and recommend the right service, from one treatment to ongoing protection.
- TreatmentWe treat where pests nest, feed and enter, using products and methods chosen for your property and applied according to label directions.
- Follow-up and guaranteeOur 110% Satisfaction Guarantee means that if the bugs come back, so will Toro, at no additional cost to you.
Why Margate Chooses Toro Pest Management
- Since 1969. Toro was founded by Dr. Jose Perez Linares and is run today by his family’s third generation.
- At home with older homes and canal lots, from termites in the attic to iguanas at the seawall.
- Response within 24 hours, guaranteed.
- Trained by entomologists at the TORO Institute in Miami.
- Hablamos Español. Our team helps in English or Spanish.
Free inspection and $25 off your first service in Margate.
Schedule Your Free InspectionMargate Pest Control FAQ
Do you provide pest control throughout Margate?
Yes. We service all of Margate, from canal-front single-family streets to communities such as Paradise Gardens, Oriole Gardens, Royal Park Gardens and Holiday Springs, in ZIP codes 33063, 33065, 33068 and 33073. Every call gets a response within 24 hours, guaranteed.
Iguanas are digging under my seawall and patio. What can I do?
Green iguanas are non-native and very common along South Florida canals. Their burrows can erode canal banks and seawalls and undermine sidewalks and slabs, and they eat flowers, leaves and fruit. Our wildlife service can evaluate your property and recommend exclusion and removal options.
My home was built in the 1970s. Do I need a termite inspection?
It is a good idea. Homes that old have been through about fifty termite swarm seasons, and drywood termites in attics and furniture often go unnoticed for years. Damp soil near canals also attracts subterranean termites. An annual inspection catches activity before it turns into costly repairs.
Do you work with 55+ communities and condominium associations?
Yes. We provide scheduled service for associations, covering common areas, trash rooms, clubhouses and grounds, and we treat individual units as needed. Boards receive written reports after every visit.
Why do mosquitoes get so bad along the canals in summer?
Summer rain, shady vegetation on canal banks and standing water in yards all help mosquitoes. The Aedes aegypti mosquito breeds in containers as small as a bottle cap, so emptying plant saucers, buckets and boat covers every week, along with yard treatment, makes the biggest difference.
Is the inspection free, and do you speak Spanish?
Yes. Your first inspection is free, new customers get $25 off their first service, and our team speaks Spanish. Call 305-594-4767 or use the Free Inspection form on this page.
Pest Control Near Margate
Toro also serves the communities around Margate:
Last updated: October 29, 2026
110% Satisfaction Guaranteed
If the bugs come back, so will TORO at no additional cost to you. TORO will respond with in 24 hours Guaranteed. Our technician will arrive quickly and deal with the pest problem to prevent recurrence.
