Rodents are more than just creepy — they’re destructive, disease-carrying, and alarmingly common across Middle Tennessee. Once they find a way into your home, they can chew wires, ruin insulation, contaminate food, and reproduce faster than most people realize.

Whether it’s the quiet scratching in your walls or a full-blown sighting, one rodent is a red flag that you’re not alone.

Active Seasons

Rodents are a year-round threat in Middle Tennessee. Activity often spikes in fall and winter, when colder temperatures drive them indoors seeking warmth, shelter, and food.

Lifespan

• House mice typically live up to 1 year, but can have multiple litters during that time.

• Norway rats can live 1–2 years, and adapt well to urban and rural environments.

• Roof rats, also common in Middle Tennessee, prefer attics and high points in homes.

Reproduction Rate

Rodents breed rapidly:

• Mice can have 5–10 litters per year, with 5–8 babies each time.

• Rats can produce dozens of offspring per year.

• Populations explode quickly if not professionally addressed.

How to Identify

• Droppings: Small, dark, rice-shaped for mice; longer for rats

• Gnaw marks on wires, food packaging, wood, and even plastic

• Noises: Scratching or movement in walls, ceilings, or attic

• Nests: Shredded paper, insulation, or fabric in corners or dark areas

• Grease marks: From fur rubbing along walls or entry points

• Smell: Strong, musky odor in closed spaces

Common species in our region:

• House Mouse

• Norway Rat (Sewer Rat)

• Roof Rat (Black Rat)

Health Concerns

Rodents are major health hazards:

• Carry diseases like Hantavirus, Leptospirosis, Salmonella, and even plague

• Their droppings and urine can trigger asthma and allergies, especially in children

• Parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites hitch a ride on rodents and can spread to pets and humans

Property Concerns

• Rodents chew wires, creating fire hazards

• Destroy insulation, drywall, and wood framing

• Can ruin food storage and contaminate surfaces

• Often gain entry through gaps as small as a dime

Once rodents settle in, they’re incredibly difficult to evict without professional help — they’re smart, cautious, and avoid common traps once they’ve seen others caught.

Why You Need Perimeter Pest

Rodents don’t just go away on their own. At Perimeter Pest, we don’t just set traps and hope — we deliver a full-scale rodent solution that includes:

• Inspection of entry points (crawlspaces, rooflines, vents, foundation gaps)
• Strategic trapping and baiting plans
• Sanitation and damage assessment
• Ongoing monitoring if needed

Don’t share your home with rodents. Call Perimeter Pest — the Middle Tennessee pros who know how to keep rats and mice where they belong: out.