Information about the most common Alberta pests, and some of their misidentified counterparts. Images are not to scale.
House Mice · Deer Mice
Small rodents commonly encountered in Alberta homes and outbuildings. Mice are agile climbers, active mainly at night, and often go unnoticed until signs of activity appear.
Rattus norvegicus
The only rat species established in Alberta. Norway rats are burrowing rodents that live close to ground level and often associate with foundations, sewers, and food sources.
Mephitis mephitis
Medium-sized wildlife commonly encountered around homes in Alberta. Skunks often den under decks, sheds, and porches, causing odor issues, property damage, and potential health concerns.
Sciurus spp.
Common tree-dwelling rodents that frequently enter attics, soffits, and rooflines. Squirrels cause noise, insulation damage, and structural issues when nesting inside buildings.
Microtus spp.
Small burrowing rodents that primarily damage lawns and landscaping. Voles create surface runways and tunnel systems under grass and snow, often mistaken for moles.
Talpidae
True moles are not established in Alberta. Lawn tunneling and surface damage attributed to moles is almost always caused by voles or pocket gophers.
Thomomys talpoides
Burrowing rodents found in parts of Alberta, most commonly affecting lawns, fields, and landscaped areas. Pocket gophers spend nearly all of their lives underground and are rarely seen above ground.
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