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Correct identification is an important first step in pest control.
Deer mice get their name from their coloring similar to the white-tailed deer. They have a brown to gray colored body with a white belly and furry tail.
They are 6 inches long including their tail which and overall are slightly larger than a house mouse.
Deer mice are known carriers of a rare, but potentially fatal lung disease called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). This is found in the mouse feces and urine.
HPS can be aerosolized when their habitats are disturbed such as cleaning out a storage shed, when in a barn or attic and similar areas. Caution is advised when around deer mice harborages.
Deer mice breed in the spring and fall. Females will produce between two and four litters a year and most litters average about four pups. They can live up to two years in the wild.
They do not hibernate and are active all year long. When colder weather emerges some mice will find harborage in nearby garages, crawl spaces, attics and even living rooms or kitchens in your home.
When deer mice invade buildings, they commonly carry in caches of seeds and nuts. They will store this food in wall voids, furniture, dressers, cabinets or any other nook and cranny they can find.
Deer mice are most active at night with feeding peaks at dawn and dusk. They also tend to leap rather than run.
Identify the pest with our Deer Mouse gallery 
Deer mice prefer to nest outdoors in things like fence posts, tree hollows, log piles, abandoned bird and squirrel nests, beneath decks, outbuildings or barns. When cooler weather arises they can be found indoors in basements, attics, storage boxes, furniture, wall voids, sill plates, structural corners and any tight spaces.
Learn more by reading our blog post: Public Health Watchlist.
Name:
Peromyscus maniculatus
Size:
6 inches long including the tail
Dropping:
1/4 of an inch
Tips For Keeping Deer Mice Away 
Install tight-fitting door sweeps, seal exterior cracks/crevices, areas around pipes/electrical conduits that enter buildings through walls.
Reduce any clutter you may have indoors and outdoors which will help minimize nesting habitat around the property.
Move dumpster to at least 50 feet away from the building.
Keep all exterior doors closed and store food in pest-proof containers.
Clean food preparation areas throughly.
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Pests can be difficult to control, but that’s what we are here for. We create a strategic plan to gain control of your problem and make sure we get results.
We take a scientific approach to pest control. We start with an inspection and assessment to help us identify the pest, locate where they are, and create a specific plan for your property. Every home and business is different and requires a unique strategy.
Proper pest management starts with a detailed inspection and assessment from an expert pest professional before treatment. Thorn Pest Solutions uses a three-step process rooted in science to eliminate pests with long-term results.
First, we identify the root problem(s) with a site assessment. Pests are almost always an indicator of an environmental condition. This will determine the best actions to provide short and your long-term results against pests.
Next, we develop a plan to fix the problems we discovered. This includes solving current pest issues, eliminating conducive conditions, and monitoring for future pest activity. Good pest management starts with a good plan.
Lastly, we implement the solutions we developed including inspection, monitoring, and preventing future pest infestations. Good pest control requires a good offense and not just defense. Prevention is key.
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