What Kind of Mouse Is In Your House?
Mice. Some see them as pests, others as pets. But one thing’s for sure, no matter your preference: finding a mouse in your home uninvited isn’t a fun sight to see. And for a good reason. Field mice can contaminate your food, cause disease, and wreak havoc on your home. Different mice species can make their way in and around your homestead. Knowing what kind of mouse has ventured into your home can help you figure out specific dangers posed and how to deal with them effectively.
Noticing the Difference
When you first see a mouse, the last thing on your mind may be going in for a closer look. You might be more inclined to gasp “Egad!” and quickly head in the opposite direction. But knowing what kind of mouse you’re dealing with can give you more than helpful insight.
This is not to say that different mice are easy to tell apart, especially from a layman’s perspective. For instance, distinguishing between a house and a deer mouse can be challenging because of their similar features and behavior. However, there are differentiators.
House Mice Vs. Deer Mice
Let’s start with the rodent that rhymes: the house mouse. House mice are characterized by their beady eyes, solid light brown or gray coats, and hairy tails. This mouse kind has large ears, which give them a higher range of hearing frequencies than humans. Their sense of smell is also quite keen.
Deer mice, on the other hand, have hairless tails. It’s one of the telltale differences between the two kinds. Deer mice are also typically larger in size than their house mice brethren. They are also darker in color on top and much lighter on their underbelly. Rather than eating their food out in the open, deer mice store food, seeds, and crumbs in their nest. This mouse kind is also nocturnal, preferring to do most of their activity at night.
The Kind of Mouse You Have Presents Its Own Challenges
There’s no doubt that either kind of mouse can be a trouble starter for your home. Mice can chew through electrical wiring, burrow and nest in drywall, and cause damage to a home’s foundation.
But there are more specific dangers each mouse species can pose as well. For example, house mice have a penchant for carrying fleas and ticks with them into the home—and can even carry salmonella and other harmful bacteria as well.
Deer mice are also harmful bacteria-and-virus carriers and can expose you to Lyme disease and Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. This can happen even without direct contact—just touching their waste or saliva can cause you to become exposed.
What’s the Solution?
When mice species enter your home, it’s recommended not to opt for just the DIY route.
In fact, the best method for eliminating a mice species or population in or around your home is to call in the pest professionals at Vulcan Termite & Pest Control. We have the expertise you need to put these pests in their place, which is not in your home. This includes cutting-edge tech and methods that are proven to eradicate populations and curb their presence altogether. Contact us to schedule a time for us to come out and do our thing—which is to protect your home from uninvited mice and other pests. Browse our blog for more helpful pest-related tips, tidbits, and tricks!