Where Are Deer Mice Found?

Deer mice look cute, but they can be dangerous. They can be found in sheltered outdoor areas that include hollow logs and piles of debris. In your home they will build nests in stuffed furniture, drawers and in wall voids. Deer mice have large, black eyes and a pointed nose. They have large ears without a lot of fur on them. They are round and slender, and measure roughly 3 to 7 inches long. Deer mice are bicolored with light-brown coloring on the top with a white belly and white feet. They have a short tail that is also bicolored. It’s dark on top and light at the bottom and can measure 2 to 5 inches long. They are more common in the spring and summer.

How Common is Hantavirus in Mice?

The deer mouse is the primary carrier of hantavirus. Not every deer mouse carries hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) but it is a serious infection that can be life threatening. It is rare and needs to be treated or it can lead to death. Symptoms are like those experienced with the flu and can get worse quickly. Symptoms include chills, muscle aches, abdominal pain, vomiting and breathing problems. If it continues to get worse, symptoms can include coughing up secretions, shortness of breath, lower blood pressure and fluid in the lungs. You need to get medical help as soon as possible if you suspect that you’ve encountered mice you suspect have hantavirus. There is no cure or vaccine for HPS. For a good chance of recovery, early diagnosis is imperative. The main way it is transmitted is through inhalation. When urine, droppings or saliva of infected mice gets kicked up and becomes airborne it gets inhaled. This can happen through cleaning. Precautions need to be taken if you need to clean areas that you’ve discovered rodents. The first step is to wet down the area(s) with alcohol, bleach or a disinfectant. This will kill the virus and prevent it for getting kicked up during the cleaning process. After the area is wet, use a damp towel to clean the area and then mop the area with a disinfectant. Make sure you wear gloves and a respirator to avoid getting infected.

Deer Mice Prevention

No one wants mice hanging around their home, especially deer mice. They reproduce like crazy too! They are mature at 7 to 8 weeks and will have two to four litters every year, with three to five on average but can have as many as eight. Prevent encounters with deer mice by sealing off any openings that they can use to get in your home. Any holes that are larger than the diameter of a pencil will need to be sealed. Drainage areas around the home will all need to be sealed if there are openings big enough for them to get in.

Rodent Control

Stay clear of deer mice and any areas that they live to avoid becoming infected with HPS and hire the professionals at Eagle Pest Services if you think you’re dealing with deer mice. We have the best pest control methods for fast and effective treatments. Call us today to keep potentially dangerous mice away from your property and out of your home.