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Rodent Control  – Rat & Mice Exterminators

Serving Sevierville | Knoxville | Maryville

The thought of a rat or mouse scampering across the floor of your home or business is repulsive to any property owner. Seeing just one rodent inside your property may indicate a bigger problem, which is why it’s important to call the rodent exterminators at Johnson Pest Control upon sighting a rodent. Our rodent control methods can keep rats and mice out of your property—guaranteed.

Q & A: Rodents

Norway rats, roof rats, and house mice are the most common rodents here in Sevierville TN. All can pose different threats to you and your family. In general, rodents are known to possibly carry and spread more than 35 diseases, including salmonella and hantavirus. In addition to the germs and bacteria, rodents can cause structural damage inside your property with their nesting, chewing, and defecating habits.

Rodents breed more rapidly than you want to think. Rats reach sexual maturity at just 3 or 4 months, meaning that a population can swell from two rats to around 1,250 in one year, with the potential to grow exponentially. Mice, on the other hand, can have up to 10 litters containing up to 14 pups in each. Needless to say, they breed at a shockingly rapid rate, which is why an infestation can be dangerous.

While many rodents will scatter when you turn on the lights, rats and mice can still bite. Rats will bite you if they feel threatened, even going so far to lunge. This defensive bite is rare, but can have serious repercussions. Rat saliva in some species carries dangerous diseases such as leptospirosis and Hantavirus. In even more rare circumstances, bite victims may contract rat-bite fever or tetanus infections. Always seek professional medical attention when bit by a rat or mouse, especially when you exhibit symptoms.

Rodents are nocturnal creatures, making them active at night. Rodents are common year-round, but rodent season for pest control often begins in the fall when the weather begins to cool down. This is because dips in temperature will drive rats and mice indoors for warmth and shelter throughout the winter. With fall marking the beginning of the rodent season, it’s also the perfect time to prevent rats and mice from making themselves at home in your home. 

Both mice and rats are athletic and known for their ability to easily get inside of structures. Rats in particular are excellent climbers and rats can jump from overhanging trees to access roof lines and attics. Mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime and rats only need a gap the size of a quarter. Rodents enter homes using gaps around dryer vents, utility pipes, exterior doors, and garage doors, and will also gain entry through chimneys.  

Once inside, rodents will gravitate toward dark, damp areas in your property. This often means basements and attics. House mice will construct nests indoors in attics, wall voids, storage boxes, and under appliances. Norway rats prefer basements and crawl spaces. Roof rats are good climbers and nest in block walls, attics, garages, sheds, and in ceilings.

Seeing live or dead rodents on your property is a sure sign of rodent activity in your home. Also look for droppings, gnaw marks, gnawed fruit in trees, and scratching sounds at night. Look for gnaw marks on door corners, walls, and baseboards. Rat droppings are shiny black and ½ to ¾” long, and mice droppings are smaller with pointed ends. Spotting burrows outdoors along foundations, walls or trees is a sign of Norway rat activity. Learn more >>

Rodent exclusion is the key to preventing rats. This includes:

  • Eliminating access to your home and removing the food and water resources that attract them.
  • Sealing gaps and holes around utility cables, outdoor vents or pipe work with steel wool or silicone-based caulk.
  • Keeping your home clean and free of clutter, and use tight fitting lids on trash bins.
  • Picking up fallen fruit outdoors, cleaning up around bird feeders, removing leaf litter, and picking up pet waste.

Getting rid of rodents can be a lengthy process without the help of a professional. First, inspect your property for signs of rodents and then eliminate entry points by rodent-proofing your home. Snap traps, live traps, and glue boards can be an easy and inexpensive way to get rid of rodents. If you are dealing with a larger rat or mouse infestation, always contact your local rodent exterminators for assistance.

Rat & mice
identification

Signs you have a
rodent infestation

Keep rodents out of
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Are rodents
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When to call
rodent exterminators

 When to call for rodent control services

In addition to simply being gross, rats and mice carry filth and possibly disease. Rat feces can spread bacteria, contaminate food sources and trigger allergic reactions in humans. Some of the dangerous illnesses that have been traced back to rodent feces include hantavirus, the bubonic plague, salmonellosis, and rat-bite fever. For this reason alone, it’s important to call a professional rat control company to help you stay rodent-free.

Rodent removal processRat and mice exterminators at Johnson Pest Control in Sevierville and Knoxville Tennessee

It can be somewhat easy to spot a rat or mouse in your property. Droppings, scratching noises, gnaw marks, tunnels, and foul odors are just some of the signs that it’s time to call the rodent extermination team at Johnson. Our rodent control methods include:

  • A thorough inspection to identify anything that is contributing to the rodent infestation.
  • Discreet placement of traps and monitoring stations for comprehensive rodent control and to monitor activity.
  • Sealing of all entry points as a part of our rodent exclusion tactics.
  • Creating a report to describe the mice extermination treatment and provide tips on preventing future infestations.

Rat & mice exterminators

Seeing one mouse or rat in your home likely means there are many more hidden nearby. All-natural or DIY methods to get rid of rodents may seem effective at first, but do not hold up in the long run. For rodent exterminators you can count on to keep your home rat-free, call the rat and mice removal team at Johnson!

Professional rat extermination

Rodents are notorious for making their way indoors through the tiniest of openings. When you use Johnson Pest Control for your rodent control, you can trust our rodent exterminators will remove the infestation and help protect your home against future ones. With more than 30 years of experience, you can trust our rodent extermination services—call us today!

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Rodent Exterminators – Rat & Mice Exterminators in Sevierville TN

Serving Sevier County and surrounding areas since 1984

Sevierville | Loudon | Knoxville | Jefferson City | Morristown

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