Although they prefer living in wild and natural areas, deer mice still may make their way into human habitations. This especially may be the case when homes and businesses are located in rural or suburban sections around Yardley. However, even a home that is in a well-populated area that has an overgrown yard may have trouble with a deer mouse infestation.
Thick vegetation and undergrowth provide a multitude of hiding places for deer mice. Accordingly, deer mouse nests may be found in these overgrown areas, but the rodents will regularly emerge from concealment to seek food and water, both of which easily may be obtained from people's houses. As the weather gets colder and summer turns to fall, inquisitive deer mice may start to look for a good nesting place inside the house.
Like other rodent species, deer mice can wreak havoc inside a home. They spread filth and bacteria to all corners of the residence, any of which has the potential to make the home's human occupants seriously ill. Deer mice also contaminate the people's food supply and gnaw on or use their claws to shred a wide variety of materials found in the home.
Given their tiny size and aptitude for hiding, deer mouse infestations are difficult for homeowners to treat. An experienced pest management professional is familiar with deer mouse biology and behavior, which makes it possible to bring the population under control. Moreover, the exterminator has access to commercial-strength chemicals that make successful treatment a certainty.
WHAT DO DEER MICE LOOK LIKE?
Deer mice are bi-colored, which means that they have darker fur on their backs than they do on their stomachs. Even the five- to 13-centimeter long tail is bi-colored. The deer mouse has a rounded profile and a body that may measure anywhere from seven to ten centimeters long. The ears are oversized while the eyes are small and dark.
WHAT DO DEER MICE EAT?
Deer mice show a distinct preference for a diet that is based on plants with fruit, nuts, seeds and berries being their primary sources of nutrition. If the deer mouse cannot get access to these types of food items, then it may eat a large number of insects. Deer mice may prepare for the winter by accumulating a cache of food.
With their ability to live on plant-based foods and protein, deer mice do very well in kitchens. Rice, pasta, vegetables, fruit, bread, peanut butter, meat and pet food commonly are contaminated by foraging deer mice.
WHERE DO DEER MICE LIVE?
Deer mice are extremely adaptable, which means that they may be found in almost any environment. They tend to prefer forest living, but subspecies are found in desserts and on mountains. A location that offers plenty of ground cover, such as a prairie, could look ideal to a deer mouse.
Deer mice collect materials such as twigs, grass roots, leaves and stems to build a nest. Cloth, fur or feathers also may be used, and if they have access to insulation, they will shred it and bring it back to the nest.
A stump or the hollow in a tree is a likely nesting site, and deer mice will adopt another animal's abandoned nest or burrow. When they choose to nest in people's homes, deer mice are good at concealing their nesting sites. These may be located in any seldom-used, dark, dry spot like a cupboard or drawer. The empty space beneath an appliance and the hollow behind a row of books on a shelf are other good hiding spots.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY DEER MICE
People frequently are surprised when they discover evidence of deer mice in their homes. This usually is because they believe that their house is well sealed so that pests cannot gain entrance.
Unfortunately, deer mice are tiny, and this means that a tiny opening is all that is needed to get indoors. With their sharp teeth, deer mice may enlarge a small crack or hole in the home's exterior until they can squeeze through it. This larger opening may admit other pests or put the home in danger of water damage.
Once indoors, deer mice may gnaw on many items that include furniture, books, paper, linens and clothing. Walls, window and door frames and floors also may be damaged thanks to the deer mouse's constant gnawing.
Deer mice nests are filthy, and waste products may be distributed throughout the home. These all must be thoroughly cleaned up to prevent the family from becoming ill.
ARE DEER MICE AGGRESSIVE?
Deer mice generally try to run away when they see a person. However, if they cannot find an escape route, they can become aggressive. Bites and scratches are common wounds in these scenarios, and any injury needs to be attended to by a physician.
DO DEER MICE CARRY DISEASE?
Any given deer mouse may be capable of spreading almost three dozen illnesses to people. However, the most common of these, while unpleasant, typically is not life-threatening. Commonly known as food poisoning, this illness arises when a person accidentally ingests contaminated food or prepares food on a contaminated surface. Medical treatment may be required, but most people recover within a few days.
Other illnesses that are spread by deer mice are far more serious. Among the most well-known of these is the Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. With its flu-like symptoms, it is easy to mistake this illness for something far more innocuous. However, Hantavirus can be deadly if not promptly treated.
HOW TO DETECT DEER MICE
Signs of a deer mouse presence include:
• Caches of nuts and seeds found in and around the house • Nests found anywhere on the property • Grease marks on walls • An odor of urine in the home • A variety of materials in the home display tooth marks • Mouse droppings found in the house
HOW TO PREVENT DEER MICE
The following precautions can help to avoid deer mouse issues:
• Keep foliage and grass trimmed • Regularly clean out attics, garages and basements • Keep food in containers through which rodent teeth cannot gnaw • Eliminate clutter indoors and outside • Repair any cracks and holes in the home's exterior • Ensure that doors are rodent-proof
HOW TO TREAT FOR RODENTS
Successful rodent control typically involves a series of steps, including trapping, poison baits, along with proper species identification.
Those who suspect a rodent problem should contact Newtown Termite & Pest Control. Our experienced pest control professionals know how to inspect a structure to determine the type and scope of the infestation involved. They will then execute the appropriate plan of action to resolve the specific rodent issue plaguing your home or business while identifying entry points to help protect against future problems.
