Crawl space rodent control in Memphis, TN

Scratching under the floor or a smell coming up through the vents? Call to reach a local technician who can trap the crawl space, screen the vents and seal the gaps.

Call (901) 256-2861 Free call · Same-day appointments are often available

Memphis and Shelby County
Rats and mice only
Independent local providers

Snap trap set in a crawl space beside insulation and framing

Why rodents love Memphis crawl spaces

A crawl space is dark, sheltered, and sits right under the kitchen and bathrooms. Pipes and ducts run through it and up into the walls. For a Norway rat or a family of mice, it is close to perfect.

Rodents in a crawl space cause damage you do not see. They tear up vapor barrier and fiberglass between the floor joists, chew duct insulation, and leave droppings that can sit under the house for years. If your HVAC ducts run through the crawl space, a torn duct can pull that air into the house.

The signs are usually scratching under the floor at night, droppings near the access door or vents, a musty or urine smell near floor registers, and mice showing up in lower kitchen cabinets.

What thorough crawl space work includes

A complete crawl space job covers removal, sealing and cleanup:

Inspection of the whole crawl space, the access door, every foundation vent, the sill and band area, and every pipe and duct penetration
Trapping along the foundation walls and piers where droppings show travel
Replacement or repair of foundation vent screens with heavy galvanized mesh
Sealing of gaps around pipes, gas lines, dryer vents and HVAC lines where they pass through the foundation or floor
A tight-fitting, rodent-resistant access door
Removal of soiled insulation and vapor barrier where needed, and a note on any duct damage

Ask whether the quote includes vapor barrier work, and whether the crawl space will be rechecked after sealing.

How a crawl space job usually goes, step by step

The technician inspects the crawl space and the foundation from outside, marking every opening.
Traps go in along walls and piers, and the access door is closed so nothing new gets in during trapping.
Return visits check traps and remove caught rodents.
Once activity drops, vents get new screens and pipe gaps get sealed with mesh, metal and mortar.
Soiled vapor barrier or insulation comes out if the quote includes it.
A final check confirms no new droppings or burrowing at the foundation.

Want a technician to look at your place?

(901) 256-2861

Crawl spaces across the Memphis area

Crawl spaces are common in Memphis. Many early 1900s homes in Midtown, Central Gardens, Cooper-Young and Vollintine-Evergreen sit on brick piers or a perimeter brick foundation with vents along the base. A lot of mid-century homes in East Memphis, Frayser and Raleigh were also built over crawl spaces.

The Mid-South's humidity and rain matter here. Crawl spaces stay damp for much of the year, which rodents do not mind and which speeds up rot in wood around vents and doors. Rotted wood around an access door is an easy chew-through.

Norway rats often burrow along the outside of the foundation before getting in. Expect a good technician to walk the perimeter looking for burrows, especially under shrubs, along downspouts and next to slab porches and steps.

What to check in your own crawl space

If you can get into your crawl space safely, a quick look tells you a lot. Wear gloves and a mask, take a strong flashlight, and do not touch droppings.

Look along the foundation walls and piers for droppings and rub marks, the dark, greasy smears rats leave where they brush against surfaces
Check the vapor barrier for tears and tunnels underneath it
Look at insulation between the floor joists for nests and sagging
Shine the light at each foundation vent from inside; daylight around a screen means a gap
Look at where pipes and ducts pass up through the floor for chewed openings
Check ductwork for tears and droppings on top of the duct

Outside, walk the foundation and look at each vent screen, the access door and the ground right next to the wall for burrows.

Take photos. They help the technician plan the work and price it before the visit. If you see a lot of droppings or a nest, back out and leave the cleanup for later, after trapping and sealing are done.

Before you call

What to say when you call

Your call goes to an independent rodent control provider serving Memphis. Two minutes of detail up front gets you a straighter answer on timing and price.

Tell them

✓Rats or mice, if you can tell. Mouse droppings are rice-sized; rat droppings run about half an inch or longer.
✓Where the activity is: attic, ceiling, walls, kitchen, crawl space, garage, yard or under the slab.
✓How long it has been going on, and whether the noise or droppings are getting worse.
✓The building: brick ranch, Midtown bungalow on a crawl space, townhome, apartment, restaurant or warehouse.
✓Your neighborhood or ZIP code and the times that work for a visit.
✓Anything already tried, like snap traps, store bait, foam in a gap or a past service.

Ask them

?Is the company chartered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (or licensed in Mississippi, for DeSoto County)?
?Will the technician seal the entry points, or only set traps and bait?
?How many return visits does the price cover, and what does an extra one cost?
?Can I see the plan and the quote in writing before work starts?
?What goes inside the house, and how is it kept away from kids and pets?

Call (901) 256-2861

FAQ

Crawl space rodent control questions

How do rats get into a crawl space?

Through foundation vents with damaged screens, gaps around pipes and lines, a loose access door, or burrows under the footing. Rats need only about half an inch.

Should I encapsulate my crawl space to stop rodents?

Encapsulation addresses moisture. It does not seal out rodents on its own, and rodents can damage the liner. Sealing vents, gaps and the access door is what keeps them out.

Is a smell under the floor a dead rat?

Often. A strong, sweet, rotten smell that appears suddenly usually means a dead rodent. See dead rodent removal.

Can mice get from the crawl space into the walls?

Yes. Plumbing chases and gaps around pipes under sinks give mice a direct route from the crawl space into kitchen and bathroom walls.

Do I need to be there for the visit?

Usually only if the access door is inside the house or locked. Exterior access doors can often be serviced while you are out. Ask the provider.

Is it safe to go into a crawl space with rodents?

Go in with gloves, a mask and good light, and avoid touching droppings or nests. Do not sweep or disturb droppings; follow CDC cleanup guidance for any cleanup.