Mice, Rats, Beach Homes… and the Alabama Beach Mouse
Unlike the occasional unwelcome insect (like the South’s state bird, the cockroach, or little black ants), which are pretty much unavoidable on occasion despite best efforts and practices, you should never see mice or other rodents inside beach homes, or any evidence of them!
We ask that you report any such sightings to us ASAP (along with any pictures, which can help!). We want to be on top of anything like that, and you should never assume that we, or prior guests, have seen what you have! Its always appreciated when people report things to us. We want to address any such sightings inside the homes immediately, for you, for other future guests, and for the well-being of the home!
Outside the Homes
That said, you may very well see mice, rats, or other rodents outside the homes, in the dunes, in and around trash. We want to know if you do see such things, and anything conducive to them (someone leaving trash strewn about). Although rodents are fairly common, there are often sometimes steps we can take to address them even outside the homes depending on where they are and the conditions that might be supporting them.
Unfortunately, what folks should NOT do… is bait with poison outside. That is because the Alabama Beach Mouse is a protected species that makes its home in the dunes and any efforts to poison other rodents can affect them too. More on this little cutey in a second… but it also is worth noting that in general rodent baits can harm other animals too, even when used in areas without other protected rodents! How? Rodents eat the poison. They do not die immediately. They wander off. Other animals, including gorgeous ones we care about like the Eagle (hey, Eagles’ nests are at Gulf State Park, check them out sometime!), other raptors, or predators like foxes….. they eat the rats that ate the poison and…. it harms them, potentially fatally!
The Alabama Beach Mouse
The Alabama Beach Mouse is a federally protected, endangered species. You won’t likely ever confuse this cute little reclusive (and very environmentally helpful) fellow with his bigger relatives like the Norway Rat (or even the native rats) but you may get a sighting from time to time, and its important to know what they are, that they are protected, and fun to see if you spot one, or a colony!
Here’s a fun article about the AMB in the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area. Cute pics too!
You may also occasionally see a fox, coyote, and more. Welcome to the wild side!
The Alabama Beach Mouse, a protected species that lives in the dunes in the Gulf Shores area. Image Courtesy of USFWS, Public Domain.
