You just discovered a mouse in your home! After you got over your initial disgust, you probably went online to figure out how to get rid of them. The first step in getting rid of mice in your home is determining the species.
House mice and deer mice are the two most common types of mice. In US, you’ll mostly find house mice, but there’s a chance you’ll find a deer mouse in your home. You might be wondering, “Aren’t mice all the same?” They aren’t, in fact! The differences between house mice and deer mice affect how you get rid of them and protect yourself from the dangers they carry.
By the end of this article, you’ll know how to tell the difference between house mice and deer mice and how to keep them out of your home.
Characteristics Physical
When you think of a mouse, you probably picture one with a pointy nose, beady eyes, a tail, and large round ears. While mice share these characteristics, there are minor differences between the various types.
At first glance, you might confuse a house mouse for a deer mouse, but after closer inspection and reading this section, you’ll recognize the physical differences between the two. How you will differentiate field mice vs deer mice?
CHARACTERISTICS OF HOUSE MICE
A house mouse is probably what comes to mind when you think of a mouse scurrying across your kitchen counters looking for food. The fur on house mice is typically brown or gray. There are some black house mice out there, though they are uncommon. They also have small, black eyes with beady pupils. They are relatively small, reaching a maximum length of five inches, including the tail.
One distinguishing feature of house mice is the hair that grows on their tails.
CHARACTERISTICS OF DEER MICE
While deer mice appear to be very similar to house mice, there are a few key differences. Their fur, for example, is typically brown or dark gray on their heads and backs. However, their bellies and legs are white. In addition, they have much larger eyes and larger, rounder ears than house mice. Not to mention that they can grow to be seven inches long, including their hairless tail.
Habitats
House mice and deer mice, as you might expect, have very different natural habitats. That doesn’t mean you won’t find both of these pests in your home.
MICE HABITAT IN THE HOUSE
Their name can give you a good idea of where a house mouse’s natural and preferred habitat is. They prefer to live in houses, usually in the walls or small openings. They are drawn to warmth, especially in the winter, as well as food and water.
House mice are most commonly found in densely populated urban areas with a high density of buildings. They are not, however, only found in residential homes. They can seek refuge in commercial spaces such as offices and retail stores if they meet their needs. It’s also worth noting that house mice frequently emerge from their nests at night. They prefer the darkness and the absence of human interference.
HABITAT OF DEER MICE
Deer mice are most commonly found in rural areas with large grassy fields. They’re frequently found hiding out in barns and pastures, as well as rural homes. If you see deer in the area, there are most likely deer mice scurrying around as well. While they enjoy being outside, deer mice will make a home for themselves indoors. This is especially common during the colder months when they are trying to stay warm and find food. Deer mice are frequently seen scurrying around during the day because they prefer to sleep in their nests at night.
Consumption Patterns
While both house mice and deer mice seek out food left out in the house, their eating habits are quite different. It’s not so much what they eat as it is how they eat.
HABITS OF HOUSE MICE EATING
When there are house mice around, you can expect to see small nibbles on the edges of food. House mice will eat anything they can get their hands on and will even chew through packaging to get to what’s inside. Don’t be surprised if you find traces of a mouse feast in multiple food items in your kitchen. They enjoy trying new things before returning to their nests.
HABITS OF DEER MICE EATING
Deer mice, unlike house mice, will gather and store the food they find. As a result, you may not notice bite marks in your food but may notice food missing entirely. This information is critical if you want to get rid of deer mice in your home. Instead of putting out bait that will kill mice if they eat it, put out traps. A poisoned bait, even if intended for multiple mice, will usually only kill one deer mouse because it is carried with them.
Hazards and Diseases
Sure, mice can be adorable, especially when found in a pet store. Wild house and deer mice, on the other hand, can be lethal if they enter your home uninvited. They can, for example, chew both furniture and electrical wires in your home. Damaged wires could cause a house fire, endangering you, your family, and all of your possessions.
DANGERS OF FIELD MICE
Field mice are rife with disease and can bring additional infestations into your home. They are most well-known for carrying salmonella, a potentially fatal disease if not treated properly. Field mice can also bring lice and fleas into your home, causing a new set of issues for you to deal with.
DANGERS OF DEER MICE
Deer mice may carry more dangerous diseases than house mice. They are capable of carrying and transmitting Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, which is fatal if contracted. Humans can contract this disease by inhaling the urine or feces of an infected deer mouse. They may also be carriers of Lyme disease, an autoimmune disease that affects the entire body. Other diseases are carried by deer mice, but these are the two most serious to be aware of.
How to Keep Field Mice and Deer Mice at Bay
The best way to ensure that you never see a house mouse or deer mouse in your home is to take the necessary precautions to keep them out. Here are three helpful hints to keep these critters out of your sacred space.
1. SEALING HOLES AND ENTRANCES
Mice are cunning little creatures that can squeeze through the smallest of openings. As a result, make sure to seal any holes that mice could use as entrances into your home. Deer mice are excellent climbers, so look in places higher up as well. You can get rid of field mice by contacting Spokane Pest Control.
2. MAINTAIN THE ORDER OF YOUR HOUSE
Food, dirty clothes, and stacks of paper all attract mice, bringing them into your home. The best way to keep mice out of your home is to keep them as clean as possible.
- Do not leave food on the counters and do not pick up crumbs.
- Don’t leave clothes piled up on the floor.
- Get rid of paper piles.
- Maintain a clean environment.
- Avoid accumulating clutter in your home and garage.
- Get rid of the trash
With these simple tips, you can greatly reduce your chances of encountering mice!
3. OBTAIN A CAT
Getting a cat is one of the most effective ways to keep mice out of your house and to get rid of them if they do get in. They are not only lovable and cuddly pets, but they can also scare away and exterminate any mice that enter your home.
Do you have a mouse problem? Contact Spokane Pest Control Today!
Of course, calling Spokane Pest Control is the best way to deal with a mouse problem in your home. We will exterminate the mice that are scurrying around your home and pose a threat to your belongings and your health as the area’s leading pest control service. We’ll identify the type of mouse and get rid of it quickly and effectively.
Contact Spokane Field mice Exterminator today for a consultation on how we can assist you in resolving your mouse problem. If you don’t know which diseases mice can spread then check out today. For more information, you can call (509) 681-3949.