What Are the Most Difficult Pests To Get Rid Of in Memphis?

Memphis, Tennessee, has some of the worst pests in the country. So, it’s important to recognize if you have any of them early on. Here, you’ll discover:

• The top five most challenging pests, by ranking
• How to tell if you have a problem
• Possible health risks involved
• How the top exterminators in the country handle these unwanted guests

#5. Rats

Roof rats are a common pest in areas along the Mississippi River. The lush vegetation coupled with the abundance of water sources makes Memphis an ideal location. 

Here are some of the identifying features of roof rats:

• Dark gray to black
• Thin, streamlined body
• Pointed snout
• Large, black eyes
• Large ears
• Droppings are black and tapered only at one end

Roof rats carry several diseases, including

• Rat-bite fever
• Salmonella
• Leptospirosis

Here are some of the more common ways exterminators eliminate roof rats:

1. Use snap traps baited with dried prunes to eliminate live adults
2. Use live traps for quick catch and release
3. Keep trash containers closed at all times
4. Use screen material to keep rats out of buildings
5. Seal food storage containers
6. Place rodenticide bait stations strategically around the perimeter of homes and businesses

#4. Bed Bugs

In the 1950s, the federal government reported the bed bug as fully eradicated. However, it has recently made a comeback due to an increase in international travel, and Memphis is fast becoming one of the epicenters of this biting menace. 

This is how to identify bed bugs:

• About four millimeters in length
• Reddish color
• Skin moltings from instars
• Black spots on sheets

Bed bugs are not disease carriers. However, they can cause large welts on the skin when they bite people.

Professionals use these techniques to eliminate bed bugs:

1. Heat treatment is the preferred non-chemical method
2. Quick knockdown sprays are often used
3. Earth-based borates for long-term control
4. Insect growth regulators to disrupt the bed bug’s life cycle

#3. Pigeons

It’s important to distinguish pigeons from other birds. That’s because they are sometimes confused with species that look almost identical. 

 Pigeons have the following features:

• Large, rounded bodies
• Dark gray color
• Turquoise band under the neck
• Head-bobbing behavior is common

The pigeon’s favorite roosting areas are:

• Roof peaks
• Eaves and overhangs
• Ledges
• Window sills
• Rafters

Pigeons are not normally disease carriers. However, some people get histoplasmosis from breathing the dust from pigeon excrement. 

Common symptoms of this viral infection are:

• Headache
• Dry cough
• Fever
• Chills
• Respiratory problems
• Rapid heart rate

To get rid of pigeons, many pest control experts use these techniques:

1. Eliminate food sources that attract pigeons to your home or business
2. Use wire mesh screens to seal off pigeon nesting sites
3. Install metal spike strips along ledges to minimize roosting
4. Sometimes, an exterminator will use a special bait that distresses birds but does not kill them

#2. German Cockroaches

The German cockroach can multiply rapidly through a kitchen. That’s why they are one of the most troublesome pests to get rid of in Memphis. With so many food establishments in the city, they have plenty of opportunities to flourish. 

Here are the identifying features of the German cockroach:

• Adults are about ¾ inch long
• Light, golden color
• Two black stripes behind the head
• Fecal matter resembles black, crushed pepper
• Look for large, brown egg sacs around kitchen counter areas

Most cockroach species don’t directly transmit disease. However, food contaminated with cockroach feces can transmit salmonella to people who eat it. 

The professional pest control technician gets rid of German cockroaches this way:

1. Correctly identifies the pest
2. Vacuums live roaches, fecal matter, and egg sacs
3. Wipes the area down with a disinfectant solution
4. Seals all food sources
5. Applies bait gels and bait stations for long-term control

#1. Mice

By far the hardest pest to control, mice terrorize Memphis the same as other cities around the country. Due to their ability to reproduce rapidly, they can be extremely difficult to control.

Here’s how to tell if you have mice:

• Small compared to the rat
• Grayish brown coat
• Large ears compared to the rest of its body
• Small black eyes
• Droppings are shiny, black, and tapered at both ends

Mice are the most common vectors for disease. Here are some illnesses to watch out for:

• Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS)
• Hemorrhagic fever
• Leptospirosis
• Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis (LCM)

How to get rid of mice:

1. Store pet food in sealed containers
2. Plug pipe entry points
3. Use snap traps baited with peanut butter
4. Caulk windows and doors
5. Use rodent baits for long term control