Frayser, North Memphis

Rodent control in Frayser

Frayser sits between the Wolf River and the Loosahatchie, with mostly post-war houses. Call to reach an independent local technician for rats or mice in a Frayser home.

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

Rivers on three sides

Frayser is bounded by the Wolf River on the south, the Mississippi on the west and the Loosahatchie River on the north, with the old Illinois Central tracks on the east. It grew quickly after International Harvester opened a plant in 1942, with the Firestone plant nearby, and most of it was annexed by Memphis effective January 1, 1958.

The plants closed in the 1980s, and some parts of the neighborhood have struggled with vacant houses since. U.S. Highway 51 runs through the west side, and parks include Frayser Park, Rodney Baber Park and several others.

Rodent pressure in Frayser

River bottoms, wooded edges and creek corridors give Norway rats plenty of habitat. Vacant houses and overgrown lots add cover and nesting spots close to occupied homes.

The housing is mostly from the 1940s through the 1960s: small brick and frame houses, many on crawl spaces. Foundation vents with missing screens, gaps under doors and old pipe penetrations let mice and rats in. Older trees give roof rats access to attics.

Seeing signs in Frayser?

(901) 256-2861

Outdoor cleanup that makes a difference

In parts of Frayser, bulky trash and yard waste waiting for pickup can sit at the curb for days. Rats use those piles for cover. Set out bulky items close to your collection week, and keep yard waste in bags. Keep garbage cart lids closed, and bring the cart back from the curb on time, as city rules require. Stack firewood off the ground and away from the house, and cut back tall grass along fences.

Getting rid of them and keeping them out

Trapping inside plus sealing the foundation and crawl space is the usual plan. If a vacant property next door is feeding the problem, report it to Memphis 311 for Code Enforcement, and ask the county rodent program to check outdoor activity. The reporting guide lists both. For yard burrows, see rat burrow treatment.

Before you call

What to say when you call

Your call goes to an independent rodent control provider serving Frayser. 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

Frayser rodent questions

Why are there so many rats near the river in Frayser?

River bottoms and wooded edges give Norway rats cover and water, and they move toward homes for food. Sealing foundations and removing yard cover limits what they can use.

A vacant house next door has rats. What can I do?

Report it to Memphis 311 so Code Enforcement can inspect, and file a rodent complaint with the county program for outdoor activity. Seal your own house in the meantime.

Can mice get in through a crawl space vent?

Yes. Vents with damaged or missing screens are one of the most common entry points in older Frayser homes.

Rat or mouse problem in Frayser?