The 5 Most Common Rodents in Florida
Florida is known for its warm climate and diverse wildlife. Unfortunately, this also makes it a prime location for various rodents to thrive, including rats and mice. These pests can invade homes, causing damage, spreading disease, and creating unsanitary conditions. To protect your home, it’s essential to identify which type of rodent you might be dealing with. Below, we’ll explore the most common rats and mice found in Florida and how to recognize them.
The Most Common Types of Rats in Florida
Norway Rats (Rattus norvegicus)
Appearance
Norway rats are large and stocky rodents, typically measuring 7-9 inches in body length, with an additional 6-8 inches of tail. They have coarse, brown, or gray fur with lighter gray or white underbellies. They have small ears and eyes, a blunt, rounded nose, and a scaly tail that is shorter than their body length
Behavior
- Habitat: These rats are ground dwellers, often burrowing in gardens, under buildings, or along foundations.
- Diet: Norway rats are omnivorous, eating grains, meat, and garbage.
- Signs: Look for burrow holes near the base of your home, greasy rub marks along walls, gnaw marks on food containers or wooden structures, and droppings around food storage areas.
Where to Look
Norway rats are more prevalent in urban and suburban areas like Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami, where they can find ample food and shelter. They’re especially common in areas with poorly managed waste or near water sources.
They can be found in areas such as:
- Basements, crawlspaces, and ground-level areas.
- Near foundation cracks, burrows in soil, or along walls.
- Around garbage bins, woodpiles, or stored materials outdoors.
Roof Rats (Rattus rattus)
Appearance
Roof rats are slimmer and more agile than Norway rats, with a body length of 6-8 inches and a long, scaly tail that exceeds their body length (7-10 inches). They have smooth, dark brown or black fur with a lighter belly. They have large ears that are almost hairless, a pointed, sleek nose, and a thin, scaly tail that’s longer than their head and body combined.
Behavior
- Habitat: True to their name, roof rats are excellent climbers. They often nest in attics, roofs, and trees.
- Diet: Roof rats prefer fruits, nuts, and seeds but will eat garbage and stored food.
- Signs: Watch for small, dark droppings in hidden spaces such as the attics, grease marks along walls and beams, chew marks on electrical wires, and scratching noises in walls or ceilings at night.
Where to Look
Roof rats are most common in coastal and warm areas like Miami and Tampa but can also be found in Orlando and other central Florida cities. They thrive in neighborhoods with abundant vegetation, palm trees, or fruit trees.
They can be found in areas such as:
- Attics, rafters, and upper levels of the home.
- On tree branches, fences, or power lines leading to the house.
- In high storage areas like cabinets or garage shelves.
Cotton Rats (Sigmodon hispidus)
Appearance
Cotton rats are medium-sized rodents, measuring 5–7 inches in body length, with a tail that is slightly shorter at 3–6 inches. They have coarse, shaggy fur that is typically dark brown with lighter gray or buff-colored underbellies. Their ears are small and rounded, and their tail is covered in sparse hairs.
Behavior
- Habitat: Cotton rats prefer grassy areas, fields, and overgrown vegetation but may enter yards and gardens when natural habitats are disturbed.
- Diet: Primarily herbivorous, they feed on grasses, seeds, roots, and crops but may also consume insects.
- Signs: Look for runways or trails in tall grass or vegetation, droppings near garden areas, shredded vegetation used for nesting, and chewed plants or crops.
Where to Look
Cotton rats are commonly found in rural and semi-rural areas across Florida, including regions near Gainesville, Tallahassee, and Orlando. They are especially abundant in areas with dense vegetation, overgrown fields, or unkempt landscaping.
They can be found in areas such as:
- Tall grass, overgrown vegetation, or near agricultural fields.
- Yards and gardens with heavy plant growth or debris.
- Along fence lines, brush piles, or outdoor storage areas.
The Most Common Types of Mice in Florida
House Mice (Mus musculus)
Appearance
House mice are small, with a body length of 2.5-4 inches and a long, thin tail of similar length. Their fur is usually light brown to gray, with cream-colored bellies. They have large, rounded ears, a pointed nose, and a long, thin, and almost hairless tail.
Behavior
- Habitat: House mice prefer to live indoors, building nests in walls, cupboards, and stored boxes.
- Diet: They consume grains, cereals, and crumbs but will eat almost anything available.
- Signs: Look for small, dark droppings that are pointed at the ends (the size of a grain of rice), gnawed food packaging, a musky odor in confined areas, and shredded paper, fabric, or insulation used for nesting.
Where to Look
House mice are found statewide, especially in larger cities like Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth, where they can find easy access to food and shelter. They’re particularly troublesome in older homes with gaps and cracks in the structure.
They can be found in areas such as:
- Inside walls, under cabinets, or behind appliances.
- Pantry areas with accessible food or crumbs.
- Stored items in basements, garages, or closets.
Cotton Mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus)
Appearance
Cotton mice are medium-sized rodents, measuring 3-4 inches in body length with a tail slightly shorter than their body. They have soft, brown fur with a white underbelly, similar to deer mice but with a more robust body. Their ears are large and rounded, and their eyes are dark and prominent.
Behavior
- Habitat: Cotton mice are commonly found in wooded areas, swamps, and other natural environments. They may occasionally enter homes, particularly in rural or heavily wooded regions.
- Diet: They feed on seeds, nuts, berries, and insects, often foraging at night.
- Signs: Evidence includes small droppings, gnawed plant materials, and nests made of shredded vegetation or fabric.
Where to Look
Cotton mice are prevalent throughout Florida, particularly in rural and forested areas. They are more likely to be found outdoors but may enter structures near their habitats.
They can be found in areas such as:
- Wooded areas, hollow logs, or beneath leaf litter.
- Garages, sheds, barns, and other outbuildings near forests.
- Storage boxes, bags, or cluttered areas.
- Around outdoor structures like woodpiles, decks, or abandoned vehicles.
Other Common Rodents in Florida
Florida is home to a diverse range of rodents beyond the commonly encountered Norway rats and house mice. Here are additional rodents that play a role in the state's ecosystems:
Eastern Gray Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis)
Eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are tree-dwelling rodents commonly found in forests, suburban neighborhoods, and urban parks. Recognizable by their bushy tails and gray fur with white underbellies, these squirrels are adept climbers and nest in trees or attics. They play a vital ecological role by aiding seed dispersal, which promotes forest regeneration. However, they can cause damage to homes by chewing through siding, wires, or insulation when seeking shelter.
Hispid Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus)
The Hispid Cotton Rat is a close relative of the cotton rat but thrives in more varied environments, including brushlands and grassy areas. Slightly larger than house mice, these rodents can carry diseases and become agricultural pests, feeding on crops like sugarcane and grains.
Marsh Rice Rats (Oryzomys palustris)
Marsh rice rats (Oryzomys palustris) are semi-aquatic rodents commonly found in wetlands, marshes, and coastal areas. These rats have a sleek body with soft, grayish-brown fur and a lighter underside, and are known for their excellent swimming abilities. These rats help control insects and disperse seeds but can damage crops, particularly rice, and may invade nearby homes or barns.
Southeastern Pocket Gophers (Geomys pinetis)
Pocket gophers are subterranean rodents recognized for their burrowing habits and external cheek pouches. They are highly adapted to underground living, with strong forelimbs and large incisors for digging. While they contribute to soil health, their tunnels can damage lawns and crops.
Woodrats (Neotoma spp.)
Also known as pack rats, wood rats are notorious for collecting shiny objects and building intricate nests called middens. They are medium-sized rodents with long tails and soft fur, commonly found in wooded areas and rocky habitats. While they rarely invade homes, their nests can sometimes be a nuisance near human dwellings.
These rodents may not always cross paths with homeowners, but understanding their habits and habitats can be crucial for effective pest management.
When to Call a Professional
Florida homeowners know that rodents are not just a nuisance—they’re a threat to health and safety. If you notice an infestation or suspect one, contacting a pest control professional can save you time, money, and stress. Rodents reproduce quickly, so early intervention is key.
At , we specialize in rodent removal and prevention. Our expert team will identify the type of rodent, locate entry points, and develop a tailored solution to protect your home. Contact us today for your inspection!