Mousetrap:

Cats are smart enough not to jump into water even though they can swim, if necessary
They prefer rooting out little rodents in dark places because they can hear them and smell them. 
They have the patience of, well, cats, to wait for hours for their prey to come out of it's hidy-hole.

You are better off making friends of the alligator than to try to hide from a cat, my little mousy friend.  LOL