Terminix Service ranks Hendersonville highest for rodent activity

Terminix Service released 2026 rodent activity rankings for South Carolina, western North Carolina and Georgia as Rodent Awareness Week begins. The data shows mountain and coastal markets are seeing especially high pressure, with Hendersonville, NC topping the list and Charleston, SC leading in total service calls.

Why it matters: - Rodent season is already affecting homes across South Carolina, western North Carolina and CSRA Georgia as fall temperatures push rats and mice indoors. - The rankings highlight where homeowners face the highest per-capita pressure and where prevention and professional control may be most urgent.

What happened: - Terminix Service released its 2026 rodent activity rankings as Rodent Awareness Week gets underway. - The company analyzed rodent service calls across its coverage area and normalized the results by population. - Hendersonville, NC ranked first with 100 rodent calls per 100,000 residents. - Asheville, NC ranked second with 88.4 calls per 100,000 residents. - Sumter, SC ranked third with 86.4 calls per 100,000 residents. - Charleston, SC ranked fourth per capita and led the service area in total volume with 366 rodent service calls in 2026. - The top 10 also included Florence, SC; Beaufort/Bluffton, SC; Shelby/Cleveland County, NC; Summerville, SC; Augusta Metro, GA; and Rock Hill/York-Lancaster, SC.

The details: - Terminix Service said mountain communities like Hendersonville and Asheville see sharp fall temperature drops that push field mice and Norway rats toward structures. - Coastal and Low Country markets like Charleston and Beaufort/Bluffton face year-round pressure from tidal marshes and dense vegetation. - Inland cities like Florence and Sumter sit near agricultural land, where fall harvests can drive rodents toward neighborhoods. - The company said the best protection starts before a problem arises. - Sealing entry points around pipes, vents and foundation gaps is critical. - Mice can squeeze through an opening no larger than a dime. - Removing food sources, trimming vegetation away from the foundation and storing firewood away from the house can reduce nearby rodent activity. - Homes with attics, crawl spaces or pier-and-beam foundations may need professional rodent control to find hidden activity. - Full city-by-city findings are available at the rodent awareness week report. - Terminix Service operates 56 branches across South Carolina, western North Carolina and CSRA Georgia. - The company serves more than 200,000 customers. - Terminix Service has been ranked among the Top 10 pest control companies in the country by Pest Control Technology Magazine. - The company holds a BBB A+ rating. - To find a local branch, visit the branch locator.

Between the lines: - The rankings suggest rodent pressure in the Southeast is shaped by local geography as much as seasonality. - Mountain, coastal and agricultural markets each face different conditions, but all can see spikes when temperatures fall. - The data also points to a broad prevention gap, since many of the risk factors named by Terminix Service are common around older and historic homes.

What's next: - Homeowners in high-ranking cities are likely to see more rodent activity as temperatures continue to cool. - Terminix Service is steering residents toward early inspections and exclusion work before problems spread indoors. - The company is offering more information through its online study and local branch network.