Introduction

Few things make a home feel less comfortable than the sound of scratching in the walls at night. In Northeast Tennessee, rats and mice regularly move into attics, crawlspaces, garages, and kitchens when they find an easy way in and a reason to stay.

From our base in Chuckey, Pest Detectives helps homeowners in Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, Greeneville, and nearby communities track down how rodents are getting inside, remove current activity, and make the structure harder to re-invade. This guide walks through the differences between rats and mice, the signs to watch for, and the most common ways they enter homes in our area.

Rats vs. Mice: What’s Likely in Your Northeast Tennessee Home?

You don’t have to identify every rodent by species, but knowing whether you’re dealing with rats or mice helps explain:

• How bold they’ll be

• Where they’re likely nesting

• How big the openings need to be

Mice

Mice are:

• Smaller, with small droppings (about rice-grain size)

• More likely to be seen darting along baseboards or behind appliances

• Able to squeeze through incredibly small gaps—think the size of a dime

They often nest:

• Inside wall voids

• Behind cabinets

• In cluttered storage areas and garages

Rats

Rats are:

• Larger, with bigger droppings (often pellet-shaped and more noticeable)

• Stronger climbers and jumpers, frequently using trees, fences, or pipes to get to roofs

• Able to chew through tougher materials—plastic, wood, and some soft metals

They often nest:

• In attics

• In crawlspaces

• In garages, sheds, and under decks

If you’re finding large droppings in the attic or hearing heavy movement overhead, rats are more likely. Small droppings in lower cabinets or pantries usually point toward mice.

Common Signs You Have a Rodent Problem

You may never see a rat or mouse directly—but the evidence they leave behind is hard to miss once you know what to look for.

1. Droppings

One of the clearest signs:

• Mice: Small, dark, rice-sized droppings along walls, in cabinets, under sinks, and near food storage

• Rats: Larger, thicker droppings in attics, crawlspaces, and garages

If droppings look fresh and soft rather than dry and crumbly, the problem is active, not historical.

2. Noises in Walls, Ceilings, or the Attic

Rodents are mostly active at night. You might hear:

• Scratching or rustling in the ceiling

• Light gnawing sounds in walls or behind appliances

• Thumps or running sounds in the attic

Consistent activity in the same areas, especially after dark, is worth checking out.

3. Gnaw Marks and Damaged Items

Rats and mice chew to keep their teeth worn down. Common damage includes:

• Chewed food packaging in pantries

• Gnaw marks on wood, plastic bins, or cardboard boxes

• Damaged insulation or shredded materials used for nesting

In more serious cases, they may chew wires or HVAC lines, which can create fire and safety issues.

4. Grease Marks and Runways

Rodents tend to follow the same paths:

• Dark, greasy smears along baseboards or beams

• Worn tracks in dust or insulation

• Areas where you repeatedly see droppings along the same lines

These runways tell us where they’re traveling and where to focus control efforts.

How Rats and Mice Get Into Northeast Tennessee Homes

Rodents don’t magically appear in your kitchen—they follow weaknesses in the building’s exterior.

Here are some of the most common entry points we see around Johnson City–area homes:

1. Gaps Under Doors and Garage Doors

• Worn or missing weatherstripping

• Gaps at corners of garage doors

• Damaged or absent door sweeps

A small gap under a door is effectively an open front door for mice.

2. Utility and Plumbing Penetrations

Any place a line passes through a wall is an opportunity:

• AC lines and refrigerant lines

• Cable and internet wires

• Hose bibs and other plumbing penetrations

If there’s a gap around the pipe or cable, rodents can often squeeze through or enlarge it with gnawing.

3. Rooflines, Eaves, and Attic Vents

Rats are excellent climbers. They use:

• Overhanging tree branches

• Fences and stacked items against the house

• Downspouts and structural features

Once they’re at roof level, they look for:

• Loose soffits

• Gaps in fascia boards

• Unscreeened or damaged attic vents

From there, the attic becomes a warm, quiet nesting spot.

4. Crawlspace and Foundation Openings

Common issues include:

• Broken or missing crawlspace doors

• Vent covers that are loose, bent, or screened with material rodents can chew

• Gaps at the bottom of siding or along foundation transitions

Crawlspaces often provide both entry and shelter, especially in older homes or those with moisture problems.

Why Rodent Problems Are a Big Deal (Beyond the “Ick” Factor)

No one likes the idea of a mouse in the pantry, but the real concern goes beyond just seeing one.

Rats and mice can:

• Contaminate food and surfaces with droppings and urine

• Damage wiring, insulation, and stored belongings

• Contribute to odors and poor air quality in attics and crawlspaces

• Introduce parasites or bacteria into the home environment

You don’t need a heavy infestation before it becomes a problem. A small number of rodents can do a surprising amount of damage over time if they’re not addressed.

DIY Rodent Control vs. Calling a Professional

There are useful things homeowners can do—but there are also common mistakes that make problems worse or more complicated.

Helpful DIY Steps

Good habits that make a real difference:

• Store pantry items and pet food in sturdy, sealed containers

• Keep trash cans covered and clean up spills promptly

• Reduce clutter along walls in garages, basements, and storage areas

• Trim trees and shrubs away from the house and roofline

• Close obvious gaps where you can access them safely

These steps help reduce food sources and hiding places.

Common DIY Mistakes

Some well-intentioned efforts can backfire:

• Scattering loose bait blocks randomly where children or pets can reach

• Relying only on “sound repellents” or strong-smelling sprays

• Patching holes before rodents are removed, trapping them inside living spaces

• Focusing only on traps indoors without addressing exterior entry points

If you’re seeing consistent activity or hearing regular noises even after trying basic measures, it’s time to get a more structured plan in place.

How Pest Detectives Handles Rodent Problems in Johnson City

When we’re called to a rodent problem in Northeast Tennessee homes, the goal is more than just “kill what’s there.” We focus on:

• What type of rodent is involved (rats, mice, or both)

• How they’re getting in

• Where they’re nesting and traveling

• What needs to change so it doesn’t keep happening

1. Inspection and Assessment

We start by asking:

• What have you seen or heard, and where?

• How long has it been going on?

• Have you used any traps or baits already?

Then we inspect:

• Attics and crawlspaces (when accessible)

• Garages, basements, and storage rooms

• Exterior walls, rooflines, vents, and utility penetrations

This tells us where rodents are living, how they’re moving, and which entry points they’re using.

2. Targeted Trapping and Control

Based on what we find, we:

• Place traps or other control tools in strategic locations along travel routes

• Avoid random placement in open areas where results would be poor

• Handle and dispose of captured rodents as part of the service

The goal is to remove active rodents quickly and safely, without relying on guesswork.

3. Exclusion and Recommendations

Getting rodents out is only half the job. We also:

• Point out gaps, cracks, and structural issues that need closing

• Explain which repairs are higher priority

• Offer exclusion work where appropriate, or guidance if you prefer to use your own contractor

We’ll also talk through sanitation and storage changes that can reduce future rodent interest in your home.

When to Call for Professional Rodent Control

It’s a good time to call a pro when:

• You’ve heard scratching or movement more than once

• You’re finding fresh droppings in multiple areas

• Traps keep catching rodents but the activity never really stops

• You’re worried about wires, insulation, or stored items being damaged

• You suspect rodents in the attic, crawlspace, or walls—areas that are hard to inspect safely

The sooner a structured plan is in place, the easier it is to get control and prevent long-term damage.

Keeping Rats and Mice Out of Your Northeast Tennessee Home

You don’t have to live with the constant worry of something moving in the walls. A realistic plan combines:

• Simple prevention steps you can handle over time

• A careful inspection to understand what’s already happening

• Targeted trapping and exclusion so the problem doesn’t keep restarting

From Chuckey, Pest Detectives provides rodent control for homeowners in Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, Jonesborough, Elizabethton, Greeneville, and surrounding communities. If something’s scratching in the attic or leaving droppings where they don’t belong, we’re ready to help you figure out what’s going on and what to do next.