The furry tail of a house mouse tends to be the same length as its body, but the hairless tail of a deer mouse is much shorter. Similarly, their tails are two different lengths.
A house mouse can be anywhere from 2 1/2 to 3 1/4 inches long while deer mice range from 2 3/4 to 4 inches long. The name field mouse is derived from their perceived association with grasslands and open fields, despite living in a variety of different habitats. They are commonly called deer mice as their two-toned coloration is similar to that of deer. This is the most common mouse to find living in your home and attic.ĭeer mice (also referred to as field mice or Peromyscus mice) are actually comprised of separate species of native mice, belonging to the genus Peromyscus.ĭeer mice are more common in rural settings or suburban areas on the edge of cities. The house mouse is a non-native commensal rodent that has followed humans around the world for thousands of years. House mice are typically very furry and either brown or gray whereas a deer mouse is typically two-toned, brown on back with a white underbelly. There are two common types of mice - house mice and deer mice. When these rodents infest your home, they can become a major nuisance, causing extensive damage and putting you and your family at risk for viruses, bacteria and other diseases. Their search for warmth and food can cause them to take up residence in enclosed areas of your home like the attic and walls. If you have a deer mouse infestation in your Central TN property, always contact a licensed rodent control company.Mice can quickly invade homes, especially during the fall or winter months. This disease is often transmitted through contact with mouse carcasses, or by breathing in air-borne urine droplets from infected deer mice. The biggest threat of deer mice is that they are able to transmit the dangerous-and potentially fatal-hantavirus. When they get indoors, they are often found in basements or attics. When the weather gets colder during winter, deer mice tend to invade homes, garages, sheds, and sometimes even vehicles. Throughout most of the year, deer mice nest in outdoor areas that are quiet, dark, and undisturbed. Deer Mouse Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers Deer mice do not hibernate and may invade homes during winter months seeking shelter in storage boxes, wall voids, and upholstered furniture. In homes, deer mice construct nests in low activity areas such as basements, attics, garages, and crawl spaces. Nests are lined with feathers or shredded cloth and can be found in tree hollows, fence posts, abandoned squirrel and bird nests, and the underside of logs and rocks. Deer Mouse Habitatĭeer mice are nocturnal and spend their days in cup-shaped nests made of stems, leaves, and fibrous materials. They feed at dusk and dawn and tend to prefer insects, seeds, nuts, and berries. Their true danger lies in the fact that they are common carriers of hantavirus. These rodents are a common problem in agricultural areas, and will sometimes look for shelter in homes over winter. Most often found outdoors in rural areas, deer mice rarely invade residential properties. Deer mice prefer woodlands, but they are also established in desert areas. Deer mice often referred to as field mice or white-footed mice, are found throughout North America.