The most abundant and diverse nuisance mammals in Middle Tennessee are rodents. The 4 most common species of small rodents that invade homes in this area are:

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House Mouse, Mus musculus

White-footed Mouse, Peromyscus leucopus

Cotton Deer Mouse, Peromyscus gossypinus

Norway Rat / Brown Rat, Rattus norvegicus

Roof Rat / Black Rat, Rattus rattus

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We also remove other small rodents from attics and crawlspaces in the Nashville-to-Murfreesboro area, including:

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Southern Flying Squirrel, Glaucomys volans

Eastern Woodrat / Packrat, Neotoma floridana

Meadow Jumping Mouse, Zapus hudsonius

Eastern Harvest Mouse, Reithrodontomys humulis

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Rats and mice are primarily attracted to human structures by their need for shelter, and the presence of nearby food and water sources. These rodents are excellent diggers and climbers. If a rodent problem is left unchecked, mice and rats can cause serious damage to a home by chewing or leaving droppings inside attics and crawlspaces. In some cases, insulation or ductwork replacement may be necessary to address rodent damage.

 

Rodents are also known to sometimes carry human-transmissible diseases such as Lyme disease. Trapping rodents, removing food sources, and excluding the rodents from your structure is the best way to control the problem. Signs of possible rodent problems include:

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• Tunnelling in attic insulation.

• Small holes or tunnels in the ground by exterior foundation.

• Mouse droppings under the sink or in the attic.

• Scratching or chewing noises inside a wall.

• Noises in an attic or under the house, especially at night.

• Bits of torn insulation coming out the floor or ceiling vents.

• Signs of chewing on pet food containers, bird seed bags, or grass seed bags.

• Holes chewed through foundation vent screens.

• Nest or pile of nesting material found inside the house.

• Rat or mouse droppings in the crawlspace.

• Odor of urine or a dead animal in the house.

• Chew marks at door threshold or garage door corner seal.