Western Exterminators - Pest Control Services California, Arizona, Nevada

Rodents: Deer Mouse | House Mouse | Norway Rat (Brown Rat, House Rat, Wharf Rat, Sewer Rat) | Roof Rat (Black Rat, Ship Rat) | White-footed Mouse

	Common name:	Latin name:	Class:	Order:	Family:
	Deer Mouse	Peromyscus maniculatus (Wagner)	Mammalia	Rodentia	Muridae

	Size:
	6 to almost 8 inches in total length including tail, which is about 1/2 of its total length. Adult’s head plus body length is 2.75-4 inch (7-10 cm); tail length is about 2-4 inch (5-10 cm); weight is about 1 ounce (10-35 gram).
	Characteristics:
	Adults are usually tan or brown above with a white underbelly and throat; young are gray above with white underparts. Tail is longer than half of head and body length, sharply bi-colored, and covered with short hairs or fur. Hind feet have six pads each. Ears are large, rounded and mostly hairless and eyes are large and bulging.
	Color:
	Bi-colored, pale gray/buff to deep red/brown above, and white below.
	Where Found:
	Common in rural areas of western U.S. from Mexico to the Yukon and Northwest territories of Canada; eastern U.S. from Hudson Bay to Pennsylvania, southern Appalachians, Arkansas and Texas.
	Comparison:
	All Peromyscus species, of which the Deer Mouse is one, are similar to each other, but differ from the House Mouse in color and tail. Field Mouse has lighter color above, and a shorter tail. Canyon Mouse has tail with a tufted tip that is longer. Brush Mouse's tail is equal to or longer than head & body length. California Mouse is larger, with head and body equal to 3 3/4 to 5 inches long (10-13 cm), and is yellow/brown to gray mixed with black above; tail is not strongly bi-colored.
	Habitat:
	Outside: Tree hollows, old fence posts, log piles, abandoned nests and burrows, or in their own old burrows. Inside: Wall voids, corners, small places in basements and attics, storage boxes, stuffed furniture. Home range is 1/2 to 3 acres, with up to 10-15 Deer Mice per acre in summer.
	Food:
	Insects, seeds, nuts, berries, fruits, underground fungus. Food is stored in protected places for Winter use.
	Biology:
	Begin breeding at 5-6 weeks of age and give birth from early March through November with a gestation period of 21-24 days, as many as 4 litters a year, and 2 to 7 young per litter.
	Damage:
	Due to dispersing of seeds, which are major food items for other animals, the Deer Mouse is clearly an important and vital member of the forest community. During cold months, they enter garages, sheds, stored vehicles, and homes that border on wooded areas. They may get into stored food, or nest in upholstered furniture. Primary carriers of Hantavirus, which is transmitted mainly by the inhalation of dust particles that are contaminated with the urine or feces of infected mice.
	Invasion:
	Can enter through holes about a pencil's diameter in size. Excellent climbers and can use high areas in buildings. Not usually present in cities or suburban residences, except bordering parks or other wooded areas.
	Control:
	When dealing with this species of rodent, care needs to be used when cleaning up old evidences of droppings or urine. They have been associated with Hanta-virus. You can consult the C.D.C. (Center for Disease Control) website on Hanta-virus. Overall, the key to rodent control involves sanitation, harborage elimination and rodent-proofing the structure. Cleaning up of spillage will enhance the chances of rodents visiting control measures. Elimination of rodent evidence will allow monitoring population control. Eliminating clutter and excess storage will allow for the setting of control measures and the monitoring for the population decrease. Exclusion is an important aspect of rodent control in structures. Most of the rodent problems are due to indigenous species finding their way into our homes or business for food or shelter. Rodents can fit through small openings due to their ability to ‘flatten’ their bodies. Ľ” inch can allow entry for mice. It is important that a thorough inspection be performed for the purpose of identifying entry points and repairing them. This is the only way to achieve long-term control in areas were this rodent is indigenous. Once entry points have been repaired, use of mechanical trapping devices is recommended. We do not recommend the use of rodenticides inside residential properties. When using any rodenticide, read the entire label prior to use. Follow all label directions, restrictions, and precautions.