Deer Mouse Identification and Control
Correct identification is an important first step in pest control.
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Deer Mouse
Peromyscus maniculatus
How to Identify a Deer Mouse
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.
Do They Carry Diseases
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 can be aerosolized when. their habitats are disturbed such as cleaning out a storage shed, barn or attic. Caution in advised when around deer mice harborages.
Why Do I See So Many Deer Mice
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 your home.
When deer mice are 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.
What Do They Look Like
Deer mice have a white belly.
Deer mice are brown to gray in color.
Deer mice are 6 inches long including their tail.
What Are Their Nesting Habits
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 and 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 & Tricks
How To Prevent Deer Mice From Entering Your Home
- 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.
How To Get Rid Of And Monitor For Deer Mice
- Monitor mice with non-toxic bait blocks in tamper-resistant bait boxes.
- You can use snap traps placed with triggers toward the baseboards, especially in dark corners.
- Use multiple baits like peanut butter, hot dogs, floss, etc.
Learn more by reading our blog post: Electronic Rodent Monitoring.
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How To Control
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Thorn's Approach
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Our Approach to Pest Control
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.
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Assess Situation
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.
Execute Action Plan
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.
Track Success
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.