Chattanooga Pest Control Emergency Guide (24/7)

A scratching sound in the wall at 2 a.m. A line of ants marching across the kitchen like they pay rent. Or worse—standing water in the crawl space and mosquitoes breeding under your feet. In Chattanooga, pest problems can flip from annoying to urgent fast, especially after heavy rain, warm snaps, or when wildlife gets pushed indoors. This guide is built for real moments: what counts as a Pest Control emergency, what to do first to protect your family, and how to document and recover without making things worse. Keep it handy, because the best time to plan is before the next storm rolls over Lookout Mountain.

When pests become an emergency in Chattanooga homes

A Pest Control emergency isn’t just “we saw a bug.” It’s a situation where health, safety, or property is at risk right now.

Common emergencies in Chattanooga include:

• Stinging insects inside living spaces: Yellowjackets and paper wasps can build near soffits, decks, and wall voids. A disturbed nest can trigger multiple stings in seconds.
• Bed bugs with rapid spread: One suitcase from travel or a used couch can seed an infestation that moves room-to-room, hitting sleep and mental health hard.
• Rodents in walls or attic: Rats and mice chew wiring and contaminate insulation. A strong urine smell, gnaw marks, and nighttime scratching are classic signs.
• Termite swarmers indoors: Swarmers near windows in spring can signal an active colony. In our humid region, termite pressure is steady.
• Sewage-backed roaches and drain flies: After plumbing issues, pests can surge from drains and crawl spaces.
• Wildlife entry: Raccoons, squirrels, and bats can enter through roof gaps or damaged vents. Bats raise rabies exposure concerns.

How these happen here: Chattanooga’s humidity, mild winters, and rain-heavy stretches (hello, sudden downpours in Hixson and East Brainerd) keep pests active longer. Flooded crawl spaces in older homes around St. Elmo or North Shore can turn into a breeding ground for mosquitoes, mold, and roaches.

Warning signs that move it into “urgent”: repeated stings, visible droppings, pets acting frantic at walls, bubbling paint near damp wood, wing piles near sills, or pests showing up during daylight (often a sign of heavy infestation).

Get ready before the next urgent call happens

Preparation is mostly boring—until it saves you hours and a big bill.

Start with a quick home checklist:

• Seal entry points: Check weatherstripping, door sweeps, attic vents, and gaps where pipes enter walls. A pencil-width gap is plenty for mice.
• Control moisture: Fix leaks, keep gutters flowing, extend downspouts away from the foundation, and run a dehumidifier in damp basements/crawl spaces.
• Trim and store smart: Keep branches off the roofline and store firewood at least 20 feet from the house.
• Food discipline: Pet food sealed, pantry items in containers, crumbs cleaned nightly. Roaches love “just one snack.”
• Know your shutoffs: Water shutoff location, breaker panel, and gas shutoff basics. Some pest emergencies start with a leak.

Knowledge to have ahead of time:

• Which family members have allergies (stings, bites) and where the epinephrine auto-injector is stored.
• How to identify termite swarmers vs. flying ants (a quick ID can prevent delayed action).
• Where your crawl space access is and whether it floods after storms.

Supplies to keep on hand:

• N95 masks, nitrile gloves, safety glasses
• Heavy-duty trash bags, paper towels, disinfectant
• Flashlight/headlamp, duct tape, zip ties
• Snap traps (for rodents) and sealed bait stations (stored away from kids/pets)

Contacts to save now:

• Your preferred 24/7 pest control provider (ask if they do after-hours stinging insect or wildlife calls)
• Hamilton County Health Department
• A wildlife control company (bats/raccoons are not a weekend DIY project)

What to do during a Pest Control emergency (minute-by-minute)

Start with safety. Pests are replaceable. People aren’t.

1. Protect people and pets first

   • If there’s active stinging (wasps/yellowjackets) indoors, move everyone to a closed room or outside. Close doors behind you.
   • For suspected bats in a bedroom: close the door, keep people out, and call professionals. If someone was sleeping in the room, treat it as potential exposure and call Hamilton County Health for guidance.

2. Avoid risky sprays and “panic fogging”

   • Aerosols near electrical outlets, pilot lights, or confined spaces can create hazards.
   • Over-the-counter foggers can drive roaches deeper into walls and spread contamination.

3. Contain the problem

   • Close interior doors to limit movement.
   • Put towels at door bottoms if insects are moving between rooms.
   • For ants, wipe trails with soapy water to remove scent paths.

4. Cut off food and water

   • Bag up exposed food, wipe counters, and fix obvious leaks if safe.
   • If a pipe is leaking into a cabinet or crawl space, shut off water. Standing moisture fuels roaches, mosquitoes, and mold.

5. Mitigate damage without getting hurt

   • Rodents: set snap traps along walls (perpendicular to the wall) if you can do so safely, and keep them away from kids/pets.
   • Termites: don’t disturb suspected mud tubes; take photos and call a termite pro.
   • Wildlife: do not block an entry hole if an animal may be inside with babies. You can create an animal-in-wall situation that gets… memorable.

6. Who to call (and when it’s 911)

   • Call 911 if someone has trouble breathing, facial swelling, or signs of anaphylaxis after a sting.
   • Call a 24/7 pest control or wildlife service for active stinging nests in living areas, bats indoors, or heavy rodent activity.
   • If you suspect pesticide exposure (dizziness, nausea, breathing trouble after applying chemicals), call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

After the immediate crisis: clean up, document, and prevent a repeat

Once the situation is stable, shift to recovery.

• Assess safely: With gloves and a mask, check the affected areas for droppings, nesting material, chewed wires, or water intrusion. If you smell strong ammonia (rodent urine), ventilate.
• Document everything: Take clear photos of droppings, entry holes, damaged food, mud tubes, and any receipts for emergency service. If you’re renting, notify your landlord in writing.
• Sanitize the right way: Don’t sweep or vacuum dry rodent droppings. Mist with disinfectant first, then wipe and bag waste. Wash hands thoroughly.
• Repair entry points: Once professionals confirm animals are out, seal with hardware cloth, metal flashing, and durable sealant. Foam alone won’t stop determined rodents.
• Schedule prevention: In Chattanooga’s climate, prevention is seasonal. Plan termite inspections, keep crawl spaces dry, and treat stinging insect hotspots before late summer.

A good recovery ends with fewer surprises the next time the weather swings.

Emergency contact list for Chattanooga (save these now)

Keep this list in your phone and on the fridge.

• Emergency (life-threatening): 911
• Poison Control (24/7): 1-800-222-1222
• Hamilton County Health Department: https://health.hamiltontn.gov/
• Chattanooga 311 (non-emergency city services info): https://www.chattanooga.gov/311
• Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA): https://www.tn.gov/twra

Utility contacts (check your bill for the fastest local number):

• EPB (electric/internet) outage & support: https://epb.com/
• Chattanooga Gas / natural gas emergency: use the emergency number printed on your gas bill; leave the home first if you smell gas.
• Tennessee American Water (service area dependent): https://www.amwater.com/tnaw/

Professional services to line up:

• 24/7 pest control emergency service (stinging insects, roaches, rodents)
• Wildlife removal (bats, raccoons, squirrels)
• Water damage/restoration (when moisture is driving infestation)

Featured Emergency Providers

Emergency kit checklist for pest situations

• N95 masks and nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Flashlights/headlamp + spare batteries
• Heavy-duty trash bags, paper towels, disinfectant
• Duct tape, zip ties
• Sealable food containers and gallon zip bags
• Snap traps (stored safely) and a small lockable box for pest supplies
• Basic tools: screwdriver, utility knife, measuring tape

Documentation to have ready:

• Homeowners/renters insurance info
• Photos of key areas (attic access, crawl space entry, exterior sides)
• Medical allergy info and prescriptions list

Quick reference cards (print and store):

• Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
• “Gas smell steps”: leave home, don’t flip switches, call emergency number outside
• Pest control provider’s 24/7 line and after-hours process

Stay ready, Chattanooga—because pests don’t keep business hours

A Pest Control emergency is stressful, but a simple plan turns chaos into a checklist: get people safe, contain the problem, document the damage, and bring in the right urgent help. If you’re in Chattanooga and something is happening right now—stings, bats, rodents, or a sudden swarm—save your 24/7 contacts today so you’re not searching while it gets worse.