Pest Library
Hispid Cotton Rat
The hispid cotton rat is a stocky, coarse-furred rodent of tall grass, field edges, ditches and vacant lots. It rarely lives inside buildings, but it creates obvious grass runways, feeds on landscape plants, and can move into sheds, crawl spaces and garages when nearby fields are mowed or flooded.
Profile
- Scientific name
- Sigmodon hispidus
- Identification
- Grizzled brown-black coarse fur, small ears nearly hidden in fur, and a tail noticeably shorter than the body.
- Typical size
- Body about 5-8 inches with a shorter tail.
- Behavior
- Active day and night, creating surface runways through dense grass.
- Habitat
- Tall grass, weedy ditches, pasture and overgrown lots; occasionally sheds and crawl spaces.
- Diet
- Grasses, seeds, stems and insects.
- Lifecycle
- High reproductive rate with population booms and crashes tied to habitat conditions.
- Why it matters
- Landscape damage and, when they enter outbuildings, contamination. Rodent droppings should be cleaned following CDC guidance.
- DIY considerations
- Habitat is the driver — treatments without mowing and clearing give little lasting benefit.
- Professional considerations
- Service focuses on exterior devices and exclusion at outbuildings, with habitat reduction recommendations for the property.
Signs of activity
- Clipped grass runways through dense vegetation
- Chewed landscape plants at the base
- Rodents seen outdoors during daylight
- Activity increasing after an adjacent field is mowed
Prevention
- Mow tall grass and maintain weedy edges
- Clear ditches and remove debris and equipment piles
- Seal shed, garage and crawl space entry points
- Keep bird seed, pet food and feed in sealed containers
Sources
Related information
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