Deer Mouse or House Mouse?
Two of the most common rodents in North America, deer mice and house mice have many similarities. However, it is useful to know how to distinguish between these species. In addition to having slightly different looks and habits, each pest comes with its own risks to people's well-being.
Deer Mouse vs. House Mouse Appearance
One major difference between deer mice and house mice is coloration. House mice have uniformly gray fur, while deer mice have white feet and undersides with brown upper bodies. Deer mice also have larger eyes and ears.
Behavioral Differences
Habitat
Unlike house mice, deer mice prefer to live outdoors in forests, grasslands, or farms. They tend to only venture into urban or residential areas surrounded by their preferred habitats. The small size of deer mice allows them easy entry into homes to build nests or store food.
Damage
Both types of mice cause similar damage in a home. This includes chewing up furniture, mattresses, clothes, and other materials to build their nests. They also have nearly identical droppings. However, deer mice are more likely to hide food stores, which can help to identify a deer mouse vs. a house mouse infestation.
Disease
The pests differ in one crucial way in their effect on human health: Hantavirus is a disease carried by deer mice, but not house mice, and can be fatal in some cases. Other mouse diseases, such as salmonellosis and leptospirosis, may come from either species.
Deer Mouse and House Mouse Removal
Homeowners dealing with a deer mouse or house mouse infestation should contact pest control experts. The professionals at Critter Control can develop and implement a plan to handle either species of nuisance rodent.
Get them out.
Keep them out.®
Experience wildlife or pest issue? We can help! Complete this form and your local Critter Control® office will contact you to assist.
Best Bat Removal
Brandon was out to please and make out lives easier with out bat situation. Above and beyond of the call of duty and got the job done. Thank you!
BAT POOP CLEAN-UP AND PREVENTION! Bat guano removed from gables. No bats found in attic, so put new screens on all gable vents, as one screen was close to breaking and then bats may have gotten in! Great work in
Tulsa!
Squirrels and chipmunks were in our attic. So we called Critter Control to do an inspection. Their representative climbed all over our very steep roof and found several places where squirrels had entered our attic.
Upon inspection of the attic, evidence of bats was also found. The Critter Control team came on time to completely caulk the entire perimeter of the house and create an exit strategy for the squirrels and bats.
Because
bat droppings can cause histoplasmosis, this also required total removal and replacement of our attic insulation and sanitizing the space. Not a small job in a 1,300 sq. ft. attic! While Critter Control’s cost was high, our homeowners insurance covered most of it. Everyone representing Critter Control was professional, courteous and timely. I would highly recommend them to anyone who thinks they might have unwelcome guests living in their attic
On recommendations from a nearby pest control company, I called Critter Control for suspicious
bat droppings.
Madison came out the same day to do an inspection. She was knowledgeable, thorough, and highly professional. She examined the ‘matter’ that had been scattered on my threshold and thought it was foliage. But she then asked to go up to my attic space where the bats could be roosting. She had to walk up 3 flights of stairs with a heavy ladder. She again spent some time searching all the nooks and crannies and found nothing.
She seemed so interested in her craft, it was truly inspiring to see! She reassured me and is writing up a prevention strategy for my appraisal. She charged me NOTHING!! I am so impressed. We need more Madisons in this world!
Service:
Bat Removal
We noticed droppings on our brand new deck - we were given their number from our contractor. They came the next day. Brian looked at it and said - yeah, bats!! He then checked every area in our attic and he explained exactly what needed to be done.
He found evidence of a mice infestation, provided a referral and they are helping us as well. Great service, very informative, very professional! We are very satisfied and would recommend them to anyone who has any issues with any critters!
Quicklinks