Deer Mouse Control
Deer mice are one common mouse that you can find in homes, and their habits differ from the typical house mouse. But, still, you will find the need to have OMNIS protect your property with deer mouse control. First, by identifying what type of mouse you have in your home, you can learn more about their habits. Next, then plan to have them removed from your home.
What Do Deer Mice Look Like?
Deer mice are small, round, and slender, with bodies ranging from 7 cm to 10 cm in length. Their heads are large, and they have black, beady eyes. Their ears are also large, and there isn’t much fur on them.
Their entire bodies are covered in dense fur, apart from their feet and ears. The fur is usually a light brownish, red color at the top, coupled with a white underbelly and feet. The tail is one of the more distinct features of a deer mouse, as they have long, bi-colored tails that range from 5 cm to 13 cm in length.
Deer Mice vs. House Mice
Deer mice can be easily confused with house mice because both species have relatively similar appearances. Though, even to an untrained eye, it should be easy to spot the color difference. Deer mice have brownish-red fur and white bellies, while house mice are solid brown or gray. Another common difference is how the mice store their food. Deer mice will hoard stolen crumbs, while house mice are less likely to do this. Other than that, there are few differences between the two types of mice.
Facts About Deer Mice
More than 53 species of small rodents fall into the category of “deer mouse.” These are some common characteristics of this common pest:
Biology
Suppose you are curious about why deer mice are called ‘deer’ mice. In that case, the actual reason is that the color of their fur strongly resembles the coat of a deer. Both deer and mouse are a brownish-black color with a white underbelly.
Deer mice are pretty capable too. They can climb and swim long distances, and they can even jump up to 18 inches into the air.
Habitat
Deer mice are not called house mice because they generally don’t like being inside houses. Deer mice are far more likely to be found in tree holes, hollow logs, and under piles of branches than inside your home. Other habitats that mice often inhabit include wooded and grassy areas, like large fields or forests.
Still, with deer mice being found all over North America, it’s no surprise that some of these critters happen to diverge from the norm and make nests in peoples’ homes. In a residential neighborhood, deer mice have access to culinary delights they’d never dreamed of.
Diet
Deer mice are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. Deer mice will eat insects and other invertebrates, as well as fruits, flowers, nuts, seeds, and other plant-based foods. Like many other animals, ants sometimes eat their feces, although this is not healthy behavior.
Behavior
You won’t likely find many deer mice in cities. Instead, they are an animal that is more likely to be found in the countryside or other rural areas. In some cases, a wooded area within a city may attract a deer mouse population, but they’d rarely enter buildings.
Mating and Lifespan
Deer mice are polygamous, meaning they are prone to mating with different partners across their lifespan. Some species are monogamous, but this is uncommon. In most cases, deer mice will care for their litters until they’ve aged to a point where they can search for food and water independently.
A Surprisingly Dangerous Pest
Mice poop. A lot.
And unfortunately, that feces is infested with nasty microbes that can cause a variety of illnesses in humans and their pets. So it’s best to avoid mouse poop until you can have a professional clean the mess up.
One of the most frightening diseases carried in mouse droppings is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. It is the most severe disease that deer mice carry, and it is extremely dangerous. Hantavirus spreads through droppings, urine, and direct contact with carcasses that have been disturbed. Unfortunately, it gets passed when someone comes into contact with a deer mouse’s nesting materials or saliva.
That’s not all. Deer mice can also pass Hantavirus simply by touching something that a human will later feel. So, at all costs, please avoid contact with viral-infected deer mouse urine on any surface. That virus makes it into your body.
Therefore, you should never wait to get deer mouse control. If you do have to wait, take utmost care when dealing with mouse dropping. Contact us to handle the problem as soon as possible.
Pest Threat Level
8/10
Pest Threat Level 8/10
From getting you sick to destroying your home, deer mice are a source of unlimited stress. They may chew up wires, causing a severe fire hazard, or ruin your furniture in their quest to build the perfect nest.
If you leave food in their vicinity, they’ll eat it and infect it, making it unusable to you and your family. They’ll also leave droppings and urine on your home’s surfaces, which could get you sick. So, overall, it isn’t a good idea to go on living with deer mice in your home because they could cause you great harm.
Call OMNIS To Handle Your Deer Mouse Problem
What’s worse than one deer mouse?
Two deer mice.
And two deer mice can quickly become dozens.
Don’t let the problem get out of hand. If you’ve noticed a nest or evidence that there may be a deer mouse nest in your home, the best thing you can do is call OMNIS Pest Control immediately. We’ll help you identify the type of mouse and eventually come up with a plan to eliminate it. Once we’re done, we’ll shut off any entry points we find and schedule a follow-up appointment for you. Use our contact form to reach out and schedule an inspection.
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