Rodents Common in East Tennessee
The Knoxville area is home to several rodent species that invade homes and businesses, but two account for the vast majority of calls we receive.
Mice: House mice are the most common rodent invaders in Tennessee. They're small enough to squeeze through a gap the size of a dime, which means they can enter your home through cracks in the foundation, gaps around utility lines, and openings around doors and windows that most homeowners would never notice. A single female is capable of producing several dozen offspring per year.
Rats: Norway rats and roof rats are both found in the Knoxville area. Norway rats are larger, heavier, and tend to stay at ground level, nesting in crawlspaces, basements, and burrows along foundations. Roof rats are more agile climbers and prefer attics, rafters, and upper levels of structures. Both species cause significant property damage and can carry diseases including leptospirosis, hantavirus, and salmonella.
How Our Rodent Control Works
Thorough Inspection
We inspect the interior and exterior of your property to identify the species involved, locate entry points, assess the extent of activity, and determine where rodents are nesting and traveling.
Strategic Trapping and Removal
We place traps or baits in targeted locations based on rodent behavior and travel patterns. Placement matters as much as control type, and our technicians know where rodents move and how to intercept them effectively.
Exclusion and Sealing
This is the step most DIY efforts miss entirely. Rats and mice can squeeze through openings as small as a quarter inch. We identify and seal gaps, cracks, and entry points to help prevent rodents from re-entering your home using professional-grade materials designed to withstand rodent gnawing.
Sanitation Recommendations
We'll advise you on steps to reduce attractants and nesting opportunities, including food storage practices, clutter reduction, and addressing moisture issues that draw rodents to your property.
For ongoing protection, rodent monitoring is included in your residential or commercial pest control plan. Our technicians will check for new signs of activity during every scheduled visit. Contact our team to schedule your free inspection.
Signs of a Rodent Problem
Rodents are nocturnal and prefer to stay hidden, so the signs of their activity are often more obvious than the rodents themselves. Common indicators include:
- Droppings in cabinets, pantries, along baseboards, or in attic spaces
- Scratching, scurrying, or gnawing sounds in walls, ceilings, or attics, especially at night
- Gnaw marks on wood, drywall, food packaging, or wiring
- Greasy rub marks along entry points, walls, and baseboards where rodents travel the same paths repeatedly
- Shredded insulation, paper, or fabric used for nesting material
- A strong ammonia smell from accumulated urine, particularly in enclosed spaces like attics and crawlspaces
- Pets fixating on a specific wall, cabinet, or area of the home
If you're noticing any of these signs, don't wait. Rodent populations grow quickly, and the damage they cause accelerates the longer they're established. Contact us for a free inspection.
Choose the Right Service Plan for Your Home
One-Time Rodent Control
For most residential rodent problems, active control methods combined with exclusion work can fully resolve the issue. Most infestations can be addressed within two to four weeks, followed by sealing of entry points to prevent rodents from re-entering your home.
Quarterly Pest Control
The most popular ongoing plan for Knoxville-area homeowners. Four visits per year include rodent monitoring at every scheduled visit, so new activity is caught and addressed before it becomes a full infestation. Extended-control products maintain protection between treatments.
Monthly Pest Control
Best for homes with active rodent infestations, multi-unit housing, or commercial properties where rodent pressure is a persistent concern. Consistent monitoring and treatment keeps populations from rebounding, and our technicians get to know your property inside and out.
Exclusion and Repair Services
Baiting or trapping removes the rodents that are already inside. Exclusion keeps new ones from taking their place. Critter Wranglers is uniquely equipped to handle both sides of the equation — our technicians are trained in both pest control and animal exclusion, so we can control rodent activity and seal entry points in a single coordinated effort rather than sending you to a separate company.
Attic Restoration
If rodents have caused damage to your attic or created sanitation concerns, we also offer attic restoration to clean up what they left behind. Contaminated insulation is a health hazard and an energy efficiency problem — restoring it is an important step in fully resolving a rodent infestation.
Get Rid of Rodents: Contact Critter Wranglers Today
Critter Wranglers is locally owned and operated, licensed by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, certified by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, NWCOA Rodent Standards Certified, and fully bonded and insured. With more than 75 years of combined experience, our team has handled every rodent scenario you can imagine, from a single mouse in a kitchen to full-scale rat infestations in commercial buildings.
Contact us today to schedule your free inspection, or give us a call at (865) 973-1095.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do rodents get into my house?
Mice can fit through a gap the size of a dime, and rats can squeeze through an opening the size of a quarter. Common entry points include cracks in the foundation, gaps around utility lines and pipes, openings around doors and garage seals, damaged vents, and gaps where the roofline meets the fascia. Part of our inspection is identifying every potential entry point so we can seal them during the exclusion process.
Will rodents leave on their own?
No. Once rodents have established themselves in a structure, they won't leave voluntarily. Your home provides food, water, shelter, and warmth, all of which are better than what's available outside. Without their removal and exclusion, the population will grow.
How long does rodent control take?
It depends on the severity of the infestation and the species involved. Most residential rodent problems can be resolved within two to four weeks of active control methods, followed by exclusion work to seal entry points. Your technician will set expectations during your initial inspection.
Is rodent control safe for kids and pets?
Yes. We use tamper-resistant bait stations and strategically placed traps that minimize risk to children, pets, and non-target animals. Your technician will explain exactly what's being placed, where, and why, and will provide any necessary precautions.
What's the difference between rodent control and wildlife removal?
Rodent control covers mice and rats, which are classified as pest species. Wildlife removal covers larger animals like raccoons, squirrels, bats, and skunks, which are regulated by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and require different handling methods. Critter Wranglers is licensed and certified to handle both. If you're not sure what's in your attic, we'll figure it out during the inspection. Visit our wildlife removal page for more information.
Do you offer rodent control for commercial properties?
Yes. We provide rodent control for offices, restaurants, warehouses, multi-unit housing, and other commercial properties throughout the Knoxville area. Commercial rodent programs include ongoing monitoring, documentation, and flexible scheduling around your hours of operation.