Rodent

Hispid Cotton Rat

Sigmodon hispidus

Low Risk

Biology

Sigmodon hispidus is a stocky, short-tailed rodent of grasslands and agricultural areas, 12–20 cm body length with a 5–8 cm tail. It has coarse grizzled brown fur, a blunt snout, and small ears. It breeds prolifically in warm months.

Behaviour

Cotton rats are primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses, seeds, roots, and crops. They create runways through dense vegetation and construct shallow burrows or nests in grass clumps. They are active day and night with peaks at dawn and dusk.

Habits

In suburban edges they damage lawns, gardens, and landscaping by grazing and runway construction. They can carry hantavirus in some regions and may enter low structures or crawlspaces adjacent to heavy cover.

Control methods

1Reduce tall grass, weeds, and ground cover near buildings
2Maintain a vegetation-free zone around foundations
3Seal gaps and openings at ground level
4Use tamper-resistant bait stations along runways where permitted
5Set snap traps perpendicular to runways with peanut butter or grain bait
6Wear gloves when handling traps or dead rodents

Tailored to Hispid Cotton Rat

IPM Procedure Checklist

View full procedure

Step 1

Inspection

Locate runways, droppings, rub marks and gnaw damage
Identify entry points (gaps ≥6 mm) and harborage
Place tracking patches or non-toxic monitors

Step 2

Identification

Confirm Hispid Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus) — not a look-alike
Note life stage and risk level: Low
Capture clear photos and samples for the record

Step 3

Action Thresholds

Tolerate low-level activity outside sensitive zones
Act if activity moves indoors or near food
Review threshold seasonally with the client

Step 4

Prevention

Exclude with steel wool, hardware cloth and door sweeps
Trim vegetation 0.5 m from structure; clear debris
Secure trash, pet food and stored grain

Step 5

Control Methods

Reduce tall grass, weeds, and ground cover near buildings
Maintain a vegetation-free zone around foundations
Seal gaps and openings at ground level
Use tamper-resistant bait stations along runways where permitted

Step 6

Monitoring & Evaluation

Service monitors on schedule and trend captures
Re-inspect for Hispid Cotton Rat activity at follow-up
Adjust tactics based on data; report findings to client