Are the rodents on your property multiplying like cotton in the fall? You’ve noticed rice-shaped droppings that signal a rodent invasion. But, which one? Learn to identify common pest rodents in Alabama and how to control them.
Alabama’s beauty and hospitality know no limits and neither do its pest rodents: Rats, mice, and voles. Arm yourself with DIY methods like traps, bait stations, and smoke bombs. Learn the signs of infestation on your property and know when it’s time to call a rodent exterminator to help you.
Put into practice the preventive measures for your home and yard and reclaim your living space from pest rodents to sing “Sweet Home Alabama” in peace once more!
Common Rodents of Alabama
Nothing worse than rodents like rats living near you. Just imagine waiting for food in a drive-thru line and discovering a rat looking at you through the restaurant window. Too weird to be real? It happened in Alabama! Check out this video of a customer spotting a rat in a drive-thru.
Rats can carry multiple diseases and cause damage to your property. In the Heart of Dixie, there are three main types of rodents you can find from north to south in the state: rats, mice, and voles. Learn to identify them to know better how to control them.
House Mice
House mice are the most frequent rodent pest in Alabama households.
They have slender bodies, pointed noses, and big ears. They are light brown to gray and measure between 5 to 7 inches in length, tail included. They weigh only half an ounce. They’re uniform in color with light, cream-colored bellies.
They make their nest with shredded paper or other fibers in quiet and dark spots like forgotten storage containers, drawers, or even within the walls. You can notice their presence because of the distinctive musky scent they emit. House mice are good at finding their way inside homes, they can slip through openings as minuscule as a dime.
House mice are nocturnal but you may see them during the day too. Be careful! Where there’s one, there may soon be many!
Signs of Infestation
These are the sure indicators of house mice invasion:
- Nests: Their nests are hidden in quiet spots. They are made of shredded materials like paper, drywall, fabric, cardboard boxes, or insulation. House mice nests have a loose ball-shaped and measure between 4 to 6 inches in diameter.
- Sounds: Tune your ears to the nocturnal sounds of your home. Scratching, squeaking, or scampering sounds from walls, ceilings, or floors can signal the presence of house mice.
- Sightings: Though nocturnal by nature, don’t be caught off guard if you spy on one of these critters scurrying about in broad daylight.
- Droppings: House mice droppings resemble black grains of rice with pointed ends, measuring 3 to 6 mm in length.
- Gnawing: Gnawing, chewing, or nibbling marks on various surfaces like wood, paper, or wiring.
- Odor: Musky, ammonia-like aroma from enclosed spaces or poorly ventilated areas may signal the presence of house mouse urine and feces nearby.
Field Mice
Field mice are also called deer mice. They have big eyes and a white belly, with dark fur on their backs. Their tails are fuzzy, lighter on the bottom, and darker on top.
They measure about 5 to 8 inches total, that is from their nose to the tip of their tail.
These rodents gather stems, twigs, leaves, grass, and feathers to build their nests. You might find these nests in places like tree hollows, under rocks, tall grasses, or inside buildings. Sometimes, they’ll occupy abandoned squirrels or birds’ nests.
Field mice are nocturnal creatures. During the winter, they don’t hibernate but they slow down. They spend most of their time cuddled up with their family to keep warm.
Signs of Infestation
Signs of a deer mice invasion on your property:
- Droppings: Field mice feces are small, dark, and rice-shaped.
- Gnawing: You will notice field mice chewing marks on food packages. You might also spot gnaw marks on wood, fabric, and plastic surfaces.
- Nests: Deer mice can create nests inside your house in dark corners, like inside mattresses.
White-Footed Mice
The white-footed mouse is also known as the woodmouse. These little mice measure between 5 to 8 inches in total length and weigh only 0.5 to 0.9 ounces. Their upper parts vary from pale to rich reddish brown. They sport white bellies and feet.
Now, discerning between field mice and white-footed mice is very difficult and may require the expertise of a rodent professional. However, here are some tips to tell them apart:
- White-footed mice have larger hind legs compared to deer mice.
- Deer mice have distinctly bicolored tails, while white-footed mice have bicolored tails which blend a bit more.
- If you flip them over and blow on their throat hair, the hairs of a deer mouse will show a hint of grey at the base, while those of a white-footed mouse remain white.
White-footed mice can adapt to a range of habitats from forests to suburban neighborhoods and even agricultural areas. They search for cozy spots like hollow trees or abandoned bird nests to nest.
Signs of Infestation
Here are some signs to search around your property if you suspect a white-footed mouse invasion:
- Droppings: White-footed mice feces are small and dark. They resemble grains of rice. You might find them along baseboards, in cabinets, or near food sources.
- Nests: These mice use shredded materials like paper, fabric, or insulation. Search for nests in hidden places in your attic, crawl space, or behind walls. These nests are similar to those of house mice.
- Gnawing: White-footed mice have sharp incisors they use for gnawing and chewing to access food or create nesting materials. Look for gnaw marks on materials such as wood, plastic, or cardboard.
Roof Rats
Roof rats are common pest rodents renowned for their climbing skills.
These rodents have slender bodies and large eyes. Their ears are also prominent and their noses are pointed.
They are brown with black spots. Their undersides may be white, gray, or black.
Adult roof rats measure between 6 and 8 inches in head and body length. Their tails weigh from 7 to 10 inches. They can be over 16 inches in length in total. Roof rats can weigh between 5 to 9 ounces, with some individuals reaching up to 12 ounces.
True to their nickname, these rats love heights. They walk effortlessly along power lines, tree limbs, and downspouts. Their adept climbing abilities make them swift invaders of buildings, infiltrating roofs and attics.
Signs of infestations
Here are the signs of roof rat infestation:
- Droppings: Dark, capsule-shaped droppings around half an inch long with pointed ends. You might find them scattered around food storage areas, along baseboards, and in attic spaces.
- Scratching noises: Listen for scratching or scurrying sounds coming from walls, ceilings, or attic spaces during nighttime (Here is a guide on What Sounds Does a Rat Make?).
- Gnawing: Chewing marks on wood, plastic, or wiring in attics and rooflines.
- Sightings: If you see rats running along tree limbs, roofs, or power lines you may have a big infestation.
- Fruit or nut damage: If there are fruit or nut trees in your garden, take a closer look for partially eaten fruit or nuts.
- Grease marks: Roof rats leave greasy smudges along walls and baseboards as they walk through narrow passages.
- Nests: Nests made of shredded paper, fabric, or plant matter found in the insulation of areas like attics and walls.
- Pet behavior: Pay attention to your pet’s behavior. They may show interest in areas where rodents are.
Norway Rats
Norway rats have blunt noses and small, close-set bald ears. Their backs are dark grey or brown, contrasting with the lighter hues of grey or brown on their undersides. These rodents can grow quite big. They can measure up to 10 inches in body length. Their furless pink or brown tails are long and can measure the same as their bodies.
Adult Norway rats can weigh around 19 ounces, while females are a little smaller weighing 12 ounces.
Norway rats are nocturnal rodents. These rodents are good swimmers but poorly skilled climbers. They prefer to live in holes in the ground and create intricate burrow systems where they craft their nests.
Signs of Infestation
If you suspect Norway rats invading your home, here are the signs to watch out for:
- Burrows: Norway rats are skilled diggers. They create burrows of 2 to 4 inches in diameter in outdoor areas like gardens, under sheds, or near foundations (Here is a guide on How to Identify Rat Holes).
- Droppings: These rodents’ feces are dark, blunt-ended, and oval-shaped. They measure around three-quarters of an inch long.
- Food damage: Norway rats are omnivorous rodents. They will happily eat whatever they can: grains, fruits, vegetables, and even pet food. Search for items that have been partially eaten and chewing marks on stored food boxes or bags.
- Gnawing: Besides chewing marks on your stored food, pay attention to irregular edges caused by the rats’ sharp incisors on other materials in your home. Inspect wood, plastic, and wiring.
- Nests: Norway rats made their nests of shredded paper, cloth, or other fibrous materials. They prefer to make nests in their burrows but you can also find them in hidden and quiet areas of your home, like basements or crawl spaces.
- Grease marks: If there are Norway rats inside your house, you will probably see greasy smudges along walls and baseboards. These marks are left by the rats’ oily fur.
- Pet behavior: Pay attention to your pet’s behavior, as they may show signs of agitation and alertness in quiet spots of your house. They may be sniffing an unwanted rodent.
Pack Rats
Pack rats are also known as woodrats. These creatures weigh between 7 and 21 ounces and measure 13 to 17 inches from nose to tail tip. Their color ranges from light brown to gray and a white underside that extends from their chin to their tail, including their feet. One feature that sets packrats apart from other rats is their bushy tail, often grayer than the rest of their fur.
Pack rats prefer to nest in natural environments like caves, rockslides, crevices, and abandoned structures. Like other rodents, they’re avid scavengers. The difference is that they like to collect shiny objects as prized possessions or to reinforce their nest walls.
One peculiar habit of these rodents is that they mark their territory by urinating on everything within their nests. Over time, this urine crystallizes, cementing objects in place and making their nests stronger.
Signs of Infestation
Here’s what to look out for if you suspect pack rats are living on your property:
- Nests: Pack rat nests can be as big as 4 feet high and 8 feet wide. They are made of twigs, branches, leaves, and assorted debris. Although their nest can be large, they are occupied by only one packrat.
- Shiny object collection: If you find what looks like a nest with small shiny objects like coins, tin foil, bottle caps, keys, jewelry, or other shiny or colorful items, you probably find a pack rat nest.
- Gnawing: Pack rats prefer to chew on softer materials. Search your property for gnaw marks on wooden structures, wiring, and plastic pipes.
- Droppings: Pack rats droppings are smaller and darker compared to those of Norway rats.
- Sightings: While pack rats are nocturnal and avoid human interaction, you might catch a glimpse of them during the early morning or first evening hours.
- Pet behavior: Your pet’s behavior is an important clue; they may show signs of noticing or attempting to chase something small on the floor.
Voles
Voles are creatures that prefer dwelling underground. Grown voles are chestnut-brown with black and their underparts are dark gray. Their bodies are small and compact. Their legs are stubby. They have short, furry tails that transition from dark to light gray. They have tiny eyes and furred ears peeking above their hair. Adult voles measure around 5 to 7 inches in length, tail included. They can weigh up to 16 ounces.
Voles like to live in open areas near human homes, such as gardens and lawns. They are good diggers and burrow tunnels underground, with passages measuring about 1.5 to 2 inches wide. They spend much of their time scurrying through these underground tunnels. Voles aren’t good climbers, so you won’t find them inside your home.
Signs of Infestation
Here are the signs of voles living on your property:
- Surface runways: Voles left shallow, visible runways in grassy areas, gardens, or under snow cover. They measure 1 to 2 inches wide.
- Landscape damage: Voles will chew all types of vegetation in your garden: from plants, vegetables, turf, or flowers. When food is scarce they may girdle the bark of trees leaving behind gnawing marks.
- Holes: Search for burrow openings of 1 to 2 inches in diameter in your lawn or garden.
- Sightings: Although voles are more active at night, you may spot them during the day too.
- Spongy soil: Vole tunnels give a spongy sensation beneath your feet when you walk over it.
- Droppings: Voles droppings are small and cylindrical greenish when fresh. You can find them along their runways or near burrows.
How to Remove Rodents in Your Home in Alabama
If rodents have invaded your Alabama property like a tornado, it’s time to take action. There are three methods to tackle the issue: using traps, setting up bait stations, or hiring a rodent exterminator.
Traps
Traps are the most popular method to get rid of rodents in your home. There are three main types of traps you can choose from:
- Snap traps: These types of traps have a spring-loaded mechanism that delivers a swift and lethal blow to the rodent when triggered. They are made from wood or plastic.
Caution: Be careful when handling snap traps to prevent unintended activation. Keep them out of reach of children and pets. When activated, place them strategically to minimize risk.
- Electronic traps: These traps use modern technology to kill the rodent humanely. They are equipped with sensors that detect when a rodent enters and administer an electric charge to eliminate it.
Caution: While electronic traps offer a hands-free solution, they still require careful handling. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, and ensure they are out of reach of children and pets.
- Live traps: These traps capture rodents alive, allowing you to safely remove and relocate them. These box-like structures possess a trigger mechanism that closes the door once the rodent enters.
Caution: Live traps need to be carefully handled. A frightened rodent may become very aggressive, putting you at risk of contracting a disease (Here’s a guide on What Diseases Do Mice, Rats, and Other Rodents Carry?). Use a towel over the cage and gloves when transporting the rodent to minimize the risk of bites or scratches. You should release captured rodents at least 5 miles away from your home.
Bait Stations
Another method to eliminate rodents is by utilizing bait stations. These are specially designed containers intended to safeguard poisoned rodent bait from children and pets while still allowing rodents access to it.
They are made from durable plastic. These stations resemble sturdy boxes with openings that enable rodents to enter and consume the bait.
Caution: It’s important to exercise caution with bait stations, as other animals may be enticed by the bait. Additionally, if a rodent consumes the bait and dies in an inconvenient location within the home, it can lead to unpleasant odors (Here’s a guide on How to Dispose of a Dead Rat and Get Rid of the Smell).
Hire a Rodent Exterminator
Hiring a rodent exterminator is the most effective way to deal with rodent problems. These rodent experts charge between $245 and $430 for their services.
This cost covers an inspection of your property to determine the severity of the infestation. After the inspection, the exterminator uses methods to get rid of the rodents. This may include setting traps, using bait stations, or employing other techniques exclusive to rodent exterminators. To prevent future infestations, the exterminator seals off entry points that rodents use to enter your home.
When you hire the services of a professional rodent exterminator, you can be confident that your rodent issue is being managed by a trained specialist.
How to Remove Rodents in Your Yard in Alabama
Yikes! Your yard has been invaded by rodents, here are some methods to deal with them:
Flood Out the Burrows
A clever strategy to evict those pesky rodents is to flood out their burrows or entry points. Simply grab a hose and release a powerful stream of water into their tunnels, compelling them to seek shelter elsewhere.
Caution: This tactic may agitate the critters, particularly if they’re suddenly displaced from their snug homes. Additionally, bear in mind that this method alone won’t address the underlying cause of your rodent issue. Afterward, seal the holes with soil to prevent the rodents from returning.
Use Live Traps
Live traps are a humane approach to capture rodents without causing harm. Snap traps and other lethal traps, if placed outdoors, could potentially injure non-target wildlife or pets.
Load live traps with enticing bait such as peanut butter or nuts to lure the pests inside for capture. Once caught, release them back into the wild, ensuring they are far away from your home.
Caution: Handle trapped animals with care, as they may become agitated when stressed. Release them at least 5 miles away from your property.
Use Smoke Bombs
Use smoke bombs to fill the burrows with clouds of smoke and fumes, serving as a swift eviction notice for the rodents. Just ensure to carefully adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions and take necessary safety precautions.
Caution: While smoke bombs can offer short-term effectiveness, they won’t address the root cause of the infestation or prevent future rodent visits. Seal the holes with soil to deter the rodents from returning.
By utilizing these methods, you’ll be well on your way to reclaiming your yard from unwanted rodents. However, if the situation escalates, don’t hesitate to seek assistance from a professional rodent exterminator to get rid of rodent intruders.
Rodent Prevention Tips for Your House in Alabama
Here are some helpful tips to prevent rodents from invading your home:
- Secure food storage: Use tightly sealed containers made of glass, metal, or sturdy plastic to keep rodents away from your food.
- Maintain cleanliness: Keep your home tidy and clutter-free. Regularly clean up crumbs and spills. Take the garbage out of your house daily.
- Seal entry points: Inspect your home and seal any gaps or cracks in walls, floors, or foundations. You can seal them by using caulk and steel wool or copper wool. Pay attention to where pipes and wires enter your home. (Here’s a guide on How to Use Steel Wool to Keep Out Mice and Rats).
- Trim vegetation: Trim back trees and shrubs around your home to prevent rodents from using them as a pathway to your roof or attic.
- Store pet food: Store pet food in secure containers. Don’t leave their food out overnight.
Rodent Prevention Tips for Your Alabama Yard
Rodents can be persistent but with these preventive measures, you can deter their attempts to infiltrate your yard. Here are some tips to help you safeguard your outdoor space:
- Maintain your backyard: Keep your outdoor area well-tended. Regularly trim bushes and shrubs, mow the lawn, and promptly clear away any debris or clutter. Store firewood and outdoor trash bins away from the perimeter of your home to discourage rodents from establishing themselves nearby.
- Protect against voles: Voles require special attention. Consider installing fences with buried sections to thwart their burrowing efforts. Shield the base of trees and shrubs with tree guards to deter vole gnawing. When planting bulbs, use bulb baskets to prevent voles from digging them up.
- Clean bird feeders: Bird feeders can unintentionally attract rodents with spilled seeds. Regularly clean up any seed spillage, bring the feeder indoors at night, and choose feeders designed to minimize waste.
- Eliminate water sources: Cover your pool, promptly repair leaky faucets, and regularly inspect irrigation lines. Monitor your pet’s water bowl and take it inside your home during the night.
- Compost with care: If you compost, use a fully enclosed bin with a securely fitting lid. Avoid adding grease, meat, or dairy products to the compost, and maintain moisture while regularly turning it. This discourages rodents from nesting in the bin.
By implementing these preventive measures, you can protect your yard against rodent intrusions and lower the risk of infestation.
FAQ About Rodents in Alabama
Are gophers in Alabama considered pests?
While some might view gophers as nuisances in their yard or garden, it’s important to recognize the valuable role they play in ecosystems. Gophers contribute to soil health by incorporating plant material and fecal matter into the soil, enriching it with nutrients. Additionally, their burrowing helps aerate the soil, preventing compaction and improving water penetration.
What other types of rodents can you find in Alabama?
In addition to rats, mice, and voles, Alabama is also home to other rodent species. These include squirrels, chipmunks, pocket gophers, muskrats, nutria, American beavers, groundhogs, moles, and shrews.
Is there any natural rodent-repellent method?
While some natural repellents are suggested for rodent control, scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness is limited. It is more effective to utilize proven methods such as trapping, bait stations, or seeking assistance from pest control professionals.
Hire a Pro to Get Rid of Rodents in Alabama
In Sweet Home Alabama, dealing with common pest rodents like rats, mice, and voles is a challenge many homeowners face. You can try some DIY methods and take proactive steps to eliminate these pesky invaders.
However, if the infestation becomes too much to handle, don’t hesitate to reach out to a local pest control professional in Alabama. They’ll help you with those unwelcome guests and restore peace to your home. Grab a glass of sweet tea and let the experts handle the rodent problem!
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Main Image Credits:
Background: Sean Pavone / Canva Pro / License
Rodent: George Dolgikh / Canva Pro / License
