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The main goal of the rodent control program is to implement ongoing community surveys, complaint investigations, public education, enforcement of local ordinances related to rodent activity and abatement of rodent infestations when public health is seriously threatened.
 Some Helpful Hints for Prevention
Information regarding Vector Control Fee to provide expanded county-wide integrated services.
Rodent Control Management
Should I be concerned if I see a rat or mouse around my home?
Definitely. Rats and mice are more than a nuisance; they can carry some very serious diseases. Everyone should try to get rid of areas around their home where rats can live and breed and find food.
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Do rats and mice spread disease?
Diseases that rats carry include:
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Is there any information available about the Hantavirus?
The Hantavirus is an illness caused by breathing virus carried in the particles that are airborne from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. The best protection for you and your family against the virus is to prevent rodents from entering buildings and to clean and disinfect where they have lived or traveled. Always use rubber gloves to handle captured rodents. Seek medical attention if you have flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, severe body aches, and breathing trouble after contact with rodents.
See Hantavirus
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Photo of a house mouse
What should I look for to determine if I have a rodent problem?
The most important signs of rodent infestation are gnawing marks on wood, plastic, metal, pipes, and food packages; droppings and urine stains; tail and footprint marks in dust & debris; and nesting sites.
Rodents tend to build their nest from materials that are soft, fuzzy or warm.
They will next where they feel safe from their enemies and close enough to food and water, and they prefer where it is relatively quiet.
Inside buildings, here are some places to look:
- inside cabinets
- in and among boxes
- under or inside dressers
- inside upholstered furniture
- inside double walls or the space between floors and ceilings
- behind or inside machinery or appliances (especially those that are not used often).
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How can I prevent getting rodents in my home?
Environmental sanitation is the best method for rodent control. It's often difficult to get rid of rats or mice. Rat proofing a building and maintaining proper sanitation principles will greatly help to eliminate the problem with rats and mice.
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How do I go about rat proofing my home?
Rat proof all vents and windows by screening with 17-gauge, 2" x 2" (1/2 - inch mesh) heavy wire mesh.
- Place metal guard around or over wires to prevent rats from using them to gain entrance into a building.
- Cover openings around pipes or conduits with sheet metal patches (24 - 26 gauge galvanized sheet metal) or fill opening with concrete or brick and mortar.
- Cover wooden door jams with sheet metal to protect them from rat gnawing. Use 1/8 inch brass or aluminum as kick plates on doors to help prevent entry.
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How do I get rid of the unpleasant odor of a dead rat?
To help mask the odor of a dead rat, place mothballs in the affected areas. In a spray bottle with about 1/2 gallon of water, add about 10 drops of pine oil or peppermint oil and spray in the affected areas.
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Is there any public assistance available for treatment of rats?
Yes, The Memphis and Shelby County Health Department's Rodent Control Program will promptly respond to citizen complaints and will examine the property for rodent activity. Trained staff will provide information about reduction in rodent activity and if necessary will apply EPA certified rodenticides (rat poison) and traps in emergency situations to eliminate serious uncontrolled rat infestations.
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Some Helpful Hints for Prevention
Keep rodents out of your home.
Make sure doors and windows fit tightly and are screened. Close other holes through walls. Tightly seal openings around pipes and wires where they go through walls. Rats can get through very small openings.
Don't provide shelter near your home.
Cut grass, brush, and thick bushes within 100 feet of your home. Get rid of trash, abandoned vehicles, discarded appliances and junk. Store lumber and firewood in neat stacks at least 18 inches off the ground and as far from the house as possible.
Don't provide food for the rodents.
Don't leave food for pets out overnight - feed only what they will eat within a few minutes. Store pet foods and grains in galvanized trash cans with tight fitting lids. Keep garbage in tightly covered metal or heavy plastic containers.
Remember, for survival, rodents need:
Use baits and poisons carefully - only after all other control methods have been used.
Consult a licensed exterminator for assistance. Keep poisons away from pets and children. Promptly dispose of dead rodents in plastic bag using gloves and a shovel or other barrier protection. Place them inside a regulation garbage can.
Rats also don't like the odor of mothballs. Use them in areas where possible to drive away rats.
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Rodent Control Management
Community Surveys
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Conducting block surveys to determine levels of rodent infestations.
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Conducting environmental surveys for detecting rodent food and harborage areas.
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Mapping and plotting infestation areas.
Complaint Investigations
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Responding promptly to citizen rodent complaints.
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Examining/Inspecting properties for rodent activity including structural deficiencies, i.e. openings for rodent entry.
Enforcement Actions
Rodenticide Application
- Applying EPA certified rodenticides (rat poison) and traps in emergency situations to eliminate serious uncontrolled rat infestations.
Public Information and Education
- Conducting rodent prevention educational programs at schools, community and townhall meetings.
- Distributing informative fact sheets and flyers to private residents, landlords, businesses, schools, and institutions.
- Rodent Control inquiries and/or request hot line (901) 323-8473.
- Releasing rodent prevention advisories through the media.
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For additional information, please contact the Vector Control Program at (901) 324-5547 or the Rodent Control Program at (901) 324-9932. Office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Additional Resources:
Environmental Health Services (CDC)
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