Seasonal Rodent Problems in Memphis: What to Expect Each Season

Fall: the big move indoors

September through November is when most Memphis homeowners first notice rodents. Cooler nights push mice toward warm walls and garages, and roof rats look for sheltered attic nest sites. Field mice from open land around Cordova, Arlington, Millington and DeSoto County move toward the nearest buildings as crops are harvested.

The TWRA says roof rats breed year-round with peaks in summer and fall, so the rats arriving in fall are often ready to nest.

Fall checklist:

• Replace worn garage door seals and add door sweeps
• Check foundation and attic vent screens
• Rake up fallen pecans, acorns and fruit near the house
• Move firewood off the ground and away from walls

Winter: activity continues inside

Memphis winters do not stop rodents. Once inside, mice and rats have heat and food, and they keep breeding. Noise in the walls and ceiling at night, and droppings in the pantry or garage, are common winter calls.

Holiday cooking, extra stored food and boxes of decorations brought down from the attic all give rodents more to work with. When you go into the attic for decorations, look for droppings and trails in the insulation.

Spring: nesting and yard work

Spring brings nesting and new litters. It is also the best time to work on the yard before the tree canopy fills in:

• Trim limbs back from the roof
• Pull ivy and vines away from the eaves
• Clear winter debris from behind sheds and along fences
• Look along the foundation for new burrows
• Check that garbage cart lids still close

Heavy spring rain can flood burrows and push Norway rats toward higher ground, including crawl spaces and garages. The CDC notes leptospirosis risk rises after heavy rain and flooding, so wear gloves for cleanup.

Summer: heat, odor and outdoor activity

Memphis summers are long and humid. Rats stay active outdoors around gardens, fruit trees, pet food and garbage carts. Food waste in hot carts smells strong fast, so the city's advice to bag or wrap food waste and freeze scraps until collection day matters most now.

Summer heat also speeds up decay. A rodent that dies in the attic or a wall in July makes a strong smell quickly. And attic work is hard in the heat, so technicians often schedule it for mornings. See dead rodent smell.

Late summer: the best time to seal

August and early September are the best time to seal the house before the fall push. Walk around the house and look at:

• Garage door corners and the side door
• Dryer vents, bath fans and kitchen exhaust flaps
• Gaps around AC lines and pipes
• Crawl space vents and access doors
• Soffits, gable vents and roof returns, from the ground with binoculars if needed

Seal small gaps with copper mesh and sealant; leave roofline work to someone with the right ladder. See steel wool vs copper mesh and rodent exclusion.

Storms and flooding

Memphis gets strong storms and heavy rain, and the Mississippi, Wolf River and smaller creeks can rise. High water and flooded burrows push Norway rats toward higher ground, which can mean more activity around foundations, garages and crawl spaces after big rain.

Storms also leave debris. Downed limbs and storm debris at the curb give rats cover until collection. Follow the city's guidance on keeping tree limbs separate and within size limits so crews can collect them sooner. See the trash and property rules guide.

After flooding, wear gloves and boots for cleanup, and wash up afterward. The CDC notes leptospirosis risk rises after heavy rain and flooding, when animal urine washes into floodwater. Check crawl spaces and garages for new rodent activity in the weeks after a big storm.

Year-round habits

Some habits help in every season: store food in sealed containers, put pet food away at night, keep cart lids closed and roll carts back on time, keep stored items off garage floors and away from walls, and check the attic and crawl space a couple of times a year.

If you see signs in any season, act early. A pair of rodents is easier to deal with than a colony. See how to get rid of rats in Memphis or call to reach a local technician.