One of the most dangerous spiders in Sumner County. About the size of a quarter with a violin shape on its back. Extremely common in older homes throughout Gallatin, Hendersonville, and Portland — especially those with crawl spaces.
Dark, undisturbed areas in Sumner County homes — closets, attics, basements, crawl spaces, cardboard boxes, under rocks and logs. Older homes in Gallatin and Portland are particularly prone due to construction styles with more hiding spots.
Their bite can cause a serious wound that destroys skin tissue. Seek medical attention immediately if bitten. Brown recluse bites are one of the most common spider-related ER visits in the Sumner County area.
The most venomous spider in North America, and they're well-established across Sumner County. Shiny black with a red hourglass marking on the belly. Rural areas around Westmoreland, Portland, and White House near barns and sheds see the highest numbers.
Dark, undisturbed areas in Sumner County homes — closets, attics, basements, crawl spaces, cardboard boxes, under rocks and logs. Older homes in Gallatin and Portland are particularly prone due to construction styles with more hiding spots.
Their bite can cause a serious wound that destroys skin tissue. Seek medical attention immediately if bitten. Brown recluse bites are one of the most common spider-related ER visits in the Sumner County area.
The biggest cockroach in Sumner County — up to 2 inches long. Reddish-brown, sometimes called a 'water bug.' Thrives in Sumner County's humid summers. Older sewer systems in Gallatin and Hendersonville are prime breeding grounds.
Warm, wet places — sewers, basements, crawl spaces, around plumbing. Enters Sumner County homes through drains, pipes, and gaps under doors. The aging sewer infrastructure in parts of Gallatin and Hendersonville gives them easy access indoors.
Carries Salmonella and E. coli. Droppings and molting trigger asthma in kids. Contaminates food and kitchen surfaces. The #1 indoor pest in Tennessee — and Sumner County’s humidity makes it even worse.
Small, light brown roaches with two dark stripes. Multiply incredibly fast — one female produces 300+ babies. Found in homes and restaurants across Sumner County. Apartments in Gallatin and Hendersonville can have tough infestations from shared walls.
Kitchens and bathrooms in Sumner County homes — near dishwashers, stoves, fridges, and sinks. Hitchhikes in via grocery bags, boxes, and used furniture. Multi-unit housing in Gallatin and Hendersonville spreads them through shared plumbing.
Molting and droppings are a major cause of childhood asthma. Spreads bacteria across food and surfaces. Small problems become major infestations quickly. Lives exclusively indoors, so they’re a year-round problem in Sumner County — no winter break.
The most common tick in Tennessee and extremely common around Bledsoe Creek State Park and Old Hickory Lake recreation areas. Female has a single white dot on her back. Aggressively hunts hosts — and their bite can make you allergic to red meat for life.
Wooded areas, thick brush, tall grass, along trails, and forest edges throughout Sumner County. Bledsoe Creek State Park, Old Hickory Lake trails, and the wooded properties around Castalian Springs and Bethpage are hot spots.
Can cause Alpha-gal Syndrome (red meat allergy) — and cases are increasing among Sumner County residents. Also spreads Ehrlichiosis and Heartland Virus. Anyone who spends time outdoors in Sumner County is at risk.
The main carrier of Lyme disease, and populations are growing in Sumner County as deer numbers increase. Smaller than a lone star tick — about the size of a sesame seed. Wooded properties around Castalian Springs, Bethpage, and Bledsoe Creek have the highest risk.
Forests with fallen leaves, wooded area edges, along deer trails across Sumner County. Young ones hide in damp leaf litter. The dense wooded corridors along creeks and around Old Hickory Lake are prime habitat.
Carries Lyme disease — starts with bull’s-eye rash, fever, fatigue. Untreated, can cause chronic joint, heart, and brain problems. With Sumner County’s growing deer population, tick encounters are becoming more frequent.
A serious health threat in Sumner County, not just a nuisance. Old Hickory Lake, the county's many creeks, and surrounding farmland create ideal breeding habitat. West Nile Virus has been found in Sumner County mosquitoes.
Breed in any standing water — bird baths, clogged gutters, flower pot saucers, old tires, even bottle caps. Sumner County’s lake shoreline, creek corridors, and low-lying farm areas near Cottontown and Bethpage are major breeding zones.
Carry West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Zika. Tennessee reports West Nile cases every year, and Sumner County’s waterways make it a higher-risk area. Most active at dawn and dusk.
Extremely aggressive stinging insects that build large colonies in the ground or inside wall voids. Ground nests are extremely common in Sumner County yards, especially in late summer. Unlike bees, they can sting multiple times.
Underground nests in yards, flower beds, and along foundations across Sumner County. Also build nests inside wall voids, attics, and hollow trees. Lawn mowing accidents are a frequent cause of calls in the county.
Will chase and sting repeatedly when disturbed. A hidden ground nest can be hit by a lawnmower, triggering a mass attack. Cause most sting-related ER visits. Colonies peak in late summer with hundreds of workers — a serious hazard for Sumner County families.
Brand-new invasive pest confirmed in Sumner County in 2025. The TN Dept. of Agriculture is actively tracking it. Colorful planthopper from Asia — gray spotted wings with bright red underwings. Confirmed in 6 Tennessee counties and spreading fast. Report any sightings immediately.
On trees (especially maples and walnuts), grapevines, and fruit trees throughout Sumner County. Lays flat, mud-like egg masses on trees, rocks, and outdoor furniture. Check your trees, vehicles, and trailers before moving them.
Weakens and kills trees by sucking sap. Excretes sticky ‘honeydew’ that grows black mold. Threatens Sumner County’s trees, local vineyards, orchards, and forests. This is a brand-new threat to our area — every sighting matters.
Build open, umbrella-shaped nests under eaves, porches, and deck railings. Very common across Sumner County — nests appear as early as April on porches and carports throughout Gallatin and Hendersonville. Semi-aggressive when their nest is disturbed.
Under eaves, porch ceilings, deck railings, window frames, attic vents, and playground equipment in Sumner County homes. Anywhere with a sheltered overhang. The county’s warm springs give them an early start each year.
Painful stings that can cause serious allergic reactions. Nests grow throughout summer and can house dozens of wasps near your doorways. In Sumner County, early spring nest checks can prevent larger colonies by summer.
Aggressive, reddish-brown ants that build dirt mounds in yards. Established throughout Sumner County — warm weather lets colonies grow large, especially around Hendersonville and Gallatin. If disturbed, hundreds swarm out and sting repeatedly.
Open, sunny areas in Sumner County — lawns, parks, playgrounds, roadsides. Mounds appear after rain. Also nest in electrical boxes and AC units. School grounds and ballfields across the county frequently have active mounds.
Painful stings leave itchy pustules. Can cause severe allergic reactions. Attack in groups — dozens of stings at once. Kids and pets playing in Sumner County yards are at high risk, especially after spring rains when mounds multiply.
A year-round problem in Sumner County, but worst in fall and winter as mice seek shelter. Common in older homes in Gallatin, Portland, and Westmoreland. Can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime. One pair produces 60+ babies per year.
Inside walls, attics, basements, behind appliances, under cabinets in Sumner County homes. Build nests from insulation, fabric, and shredded paper. Rural properties and homes near farm fields in Portland and Westmoreland see the heaviest activity.
Carry Hantavirus and Salmonella. Droppings trigger asthma. Chew on electrical wires — a fire hazard in Sumner County’s older homes. Contaminate food storage areas. Problems escalate fast once they’re inside.
Large brown rats up to 10 inches long. Found in city and suburban areas of Sumner County — commercial areas in Gallatin and Hendersonville, plus rural farms, see the most activity. Very cautious, which makes them harder to trap than mice.
Burrows along foundations, under concrete, in crawl spaces and sewers across Sumner County. Inside basements and ground floors near water sources. The county’s mix of older commercial buildings and rural properties provides plenty of habitat.
Carry Leptospirosis and Rat-Bite Fever. Chew through wires, PVC pipes, even concrete. Cause expensive damage and fire hazards in Sumner County homes and businesses. Need daily water, so they’re drawn to properties near creeks and lakes.
Agile climbers that prefer elevated nesting sites — attics, roof lines, and upper stories of buildings. Slimmer and more acrobatic than Norway rats with a tail longer than their body. Present in the Sumner County area and increasingly reported in residential neighborhoods.
Attics, roof voids, upper wall cavities, and dense tree canopies across Sumner County. Travel along power lines, fence tops, and tree branches to access roofs. Properties with fruit trees, bird feeders, or heavy ivy are especially attractive to them.
Carry diseases including Leptospirosis and Salmonella. Gnaw through wiring, insulation, and PVC pipes in attic spaces — creating fire and water damage risks. Their overhead nesting habit means damage often goes unnoticed until it’s severe.
Cases increasing in Sumner County homes, hotels, and apartments. Nashville proximity and Old Hickory Lake tourism contribute to spread. Small, flat, reddish-brown insects the size of an apple seed that feed on blood while you sleep.
Mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, headboards, behind baseboards, furniture cracks, behind picture frames, electrical outlets. They hitchhike into Sumner County homes via luggage, used furniture, and visitors.
Bites cause itchy welts. Cause serious stress and sleep loss. Extremely hard to eliminate without professional treatment. Sumner County’s growing tourism and proximity to Nashville mean bed bug cases continue to rise.
The most common ants in Tennessee. Small, dark brown ants that emit a rotten coconut smell when crushed. They move their colonies every few weeks, making them difficult to eliminate without professional help. Extremely persistent invaders of Sumner County homes.
Inside wall voids, under floors, near water heaters, and around leaky pipes in Sumner County homes. Outside under mulch, stones, and debris. They trail along foundations, countertops, and baseboards — especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
Contaminate food and surfaces. Their habit of relocating colonies every few weeks makes DIY treatments ineffective — you treat one spot and they simply move to another. Large colonies can have multiple queens, making them one of the hardest ants to fully eliminate.
An invasive species that forms massive super colonies with multiple queens. Light brown and smaller than most native ants. They aggressively displace native ant species and can overwhelm properties in Sumner County with sheer numbers.
Trailing along sidewalks, foundations, and tree trunks across Sumner County. Nest in moist soil under rocks, mulch, and debris. Enter homes through the smallest cracks, especially during dry or hot weather when they seek water indoors.
Their supercolony structure means killing a few ants does nothing — colonies can contain millions of workers. They displace beneficial native ants, protect plant-damaging aphids for their honeydew, and contaminate food. Infestations scale quickly in Sumner County’s mild climate.
Active late spring through early fall in Sumner County. Local wildlife — deer, raccoons, opossums — constantly brings new fleas into neighborhoods. A single female lays 50 eggs per day, and they can survive year-round in heated homes.
On pets, in carpet fibers, pet beds, furniture cushions, and cracks in hardwood floors. Outside in shady, moist areas of Sumner County yards. The county’s abundant wildlife keeps flea populations constantly replenished in residential areas.
Cause intense itching and rashes. Can give pets tapeworms. Heavy infestations cause anemia in small or young animals. Sumner County’s warm, humid summers let flea populations explode between June and September.
One of the most common spiders in Sumner County. Big, hairy, and fast — but mostly harmless. Doesn't build webs. Chases prey on the ground like a tiny wolf. Wooded areas near Old Hickory Lake are full of them. Comes indoors in fall seeking warmth.
On the ground in leaf piles, under rocks, along baseboards in Sumner County homes. In fall, they move into closets, garages, and basements. Properties with wooded lots and heavy leaf cover across the county see the most.
Bite is similar to a bee sting — not medically serious. More scary than harmful. In Sumner County, they’re mainly a fall nuisance as they move indoors when temperatures drop.
A major fall headache across Sumner County. Invasive bug from Asia, about the size of a nickel. Swarms onto sunny walls in fall looking for ways inside. South and west-facing homes in Gallatin, Hendersonville, and Portland get hit hardest.
In fall, gathers by the hundreds on south-facing walls of Sumner County homes. Hides in wall voids, attics, behind curtains all winter. On fruit trees and gardens in summer. The county’s warm fall days and cold nights trigger swarming behavior.
Major nuisance — nobody wants hundreds of stinky bugs inside. Poop stains walls and curtains. Damages garden and farm crops. Releases a terrible smell when crushed or scared.
Small, silvery-gray insects shaped like a teardrop with three tail threads. Love Sumner County's humid climate. Older homes in Gallatin and Hendersonville with basements are prime territory. Move in a wiggling, fish-like motion.
Dark, damp spots in Sumner County homes — bathrooms, basements, attics, under sinks, laundry rooms. Eat paper, book covers, wallpaper, fabric, and dry food. The county’s humidity gives them the moisture they need year-round.
Ruin books, documents, photos, wallpaper, and stored clothes. Can contaminate pantry food. Not a health threat, but a persistent nuisance in humid Sumner County homes without good moisture control.
Dark brown bugs with pincers on their rear. They do not target human ears. Common in Sumner County gardens — homes with heavy mulch in Gallatin, White House, and Hendersonville see summer invasions. Mostly outdoor pests that come inside looking for moisture.
Under mulch, rocks, and leaf piles in Sumner County yards. Enter homes through ground-level cracks into bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens. The county’s landscaped subdivisions with bark mulch beds are prime earwig territory.
Not dangerous — pincers rarely break skin. Minor garden damage to seedlings and flowers. Just creepy-looking. In Sumner County, they’re mainly a summer nuisance that follows mulch and moisture indoors.
Very common in Sumner County basements. Look like a spider-cricket hybrid — humped back, long legs, no wings. Can't chirp. Rocky terrain and creek corridors provide natural habitat. Jump high and far when startled, which scares people. Move indoors in fall.
Basements, crawl spaces, garages, under porches across Sumner County. Love cool, damp, dark places. The county’s rocky limestone terrain and creek corridors give them plenty of natural habitat right next to homes.
Harmless — no biting, stinging, or diseases. May chew stored fabric, paper, and cardboard. Mostly just startling. Fall invasions are regular in Sumner County as temperatures drop.
Fast, many-legged creatures that eat other bugs like spiders and roaches. Actually helpful — but terrifying to see darting across the floor. Common in Sumner County homes with basements and crawl spaces, especially near creeks and Old Hickory Lake.
Damp, dark areas in Sumner County homes — basements, bathrooms, crawl spaces, closets. If you see lots of them, you probably have other bugs they’re feeding on. Properties near the county’s waterways tend to see them most.
Can bite if handled (rare, mild sting). Lots of centipedes usually means a bigger pest problem — they follow their food. In Sumner County, they’re an indicator that other pests may be present in your home.
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Sumner County owned and operated pest control. Not a franchise. Not a call center. Just Nate — a decade of experience protecting homes in Hendersonville, Gallatin, and across Sumner County, Tennessee.
