How to Identify Types of Mice
Common Species of Mice
Mice are some of the most common pests in the United States. Three species of the rodent most often nest in or near human habitations: house mice, field mice, and deer mice. As their name would suggest, house mice are characteristically found inside homes and apartment buildings. Field mice also infest manmade buildings, but prefer habitats with meadows or forests nearby. Finally, deer mice are prevalent in cosmopolitan areas and put people at increased risk of contracting Hantavirus and Lyme disease.
Physical Differences & Identification
To effectively remove mouse infestations, property owners much first identify which species is present. Though all common home-invading mice are small with big ears and long, thin tails, they tend to have defining features that help distinguish them. For example, house mice are generally uniformly brown. Deer mice have white underbellies, legs, and feet. Field mice are the trickiest to identify as they share features with both house and deer mice, including white underbellies and brown backs. However, field mice are uniquely multicolored. If homeowners get close enough, they'll notice field mouse coats are typically a mix of brown and tan fur.
Need for Removal from Homes
All three types of mice prevalent in our service area threaten the safety of building occupants wherever they are present. Their droppings and urine accumulate and expose house residents to deadly diseases. In addition to health hazards, field, deer, and house mice damage property by staining walls and ceilings and chewing on objects like electrical wires. Untrained individuals should avoid contact with mice at all costs and call local pest control professionals to handle cleanup and removal. Immediate action is vital.
Learn more about mouse removal.
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