Deer Mice | Pest ID & Control Guide
Quick Facts About Deer Mice
Deer mice are one of the most common rodent species found throughout Tennessee. While they typically reside outdoors during warmer months, these rodents often seek shelter in homes and buildings during winter, potentially bringing dangerous diseases with them. Understanding deer mice behavior and identification is crucial for effective control and prevention.- Size: 5.5 to 8.4 inches long (including tail)
- Color: Grayish to reddish-brown upper body with white underside and feet
- Shape: Small body with large ears and eyes
- Active Season: Year-round, move indoors during winter
- Lifespan: 12-24 months in the wild
- Reproduction Rate: Up to 4 litters per year with 3-5 young per litter
What Do Deer Mice Look Like?
Deer mice have distinctive physical characteristics that help with identification. They feature large black eyes, prominent ears, and long whiskers. Their most notable characteristic is the two-toned coloration: white feet, lower face, and underside contrasting with the brownish upper body. They have long tails (2.5 to 4 inches) that are typically bicolored—dark on top and light underneath.
Key Identifying Features
- Bicolored Appearance: Brownish upper body with stark white underside and feet
- Large Eyes and Ears: Proportionally large black eyes and prominent ears
- Tail Length: Long tail that is typically the same length as the body
- Size Comparison: Smaller than rats but similar in size to house mice
- Droppings: Small, rod-shaped droppings about 1/4 inch long
Related Species
There are two common types of deer mice found in Tennessee:
- White-Footed Deer Mice: These feature grayish to reddish-brown upper bodies with white feet, face, and underside. They grow between 5.5 inches to 8.4 inches long with tails ranging from 2.5 to 4 inches. White-footed deer mice are known carriers of Lyme disease.
- Cotton Deer Mice: Virtually identical in appearance to white-footed deer mice, cotton deer mice can only be distinguished through scientific analysis of their skulls and dental formations. They share the same size range and physical characteristics but are known carriers of Hantavirus instead of Lyme disease.
Both species differ from house mice, which are typically uniform gray in color and lack the distinctive white underside and feet of deer mice.
Health & Property Risks
Health Concerns
Deer mice pose significant health risks to Tennessee residents:
- Hantavirus: Cotton deer mice are common carriers of this potentially fatal respiratory disease
- Lyme Disease: White-footed deer mice are primary carriers of ticks that transmit Lyme disease
- Other Diseases: Can carry salmonellosis and other bacterial infections
- Contamination: Urine and droppings can contaminate food and surfaces
- Allergens: Fur, dander, and waste can trigger allergic reactions and asthma
Property Damage
Deer mice can cause various forms of property damage:
- Nesting Damage: Shredding insulation, paper, fabric, and other materials for nests
- Gnawing Damage: Chewing on wood, plastic, and wiring
- Food Contamination: Spoiling stored foods with urine and droppings
- Entry Points: Creating or enlarging openings in buildings
- Odor Problems: Accumulated waste creating unpleasant odors
Where to Look for Deer Mice in Your Home
Deer mice have specific preferences for habitat both outdoors and indoors:
Outdoor Habitats:
- Forests and forest edges
- Old fence posts and hollow tree logs
- Underneath piles of leaves or rocks
- Converted bird nests (with built roofs)
- Moist, timbered river bottoms or swamps (cotton deer mice)
- Caves and cliff crevices (cotton deer mice)
Indoor Locations:
- Kitchens (especially around food storage)
- Garages and sheds
- Basements and crawl spaces
- Attics and wall voids
- Storage areas with boxes and clutter
- Areas near heat sources during winter months
When to Call Professional Help
Professional deer mice control is necessary when:
- You’ve identified deer mice droppings in multiple areas of your home
- There are signs of nesting material (shredded paper, fabric, insulation)
- You hear scratching sounds in walls, ceilings, or floors
- DIY trapping methods have failed to resolve the problem
- You’re concerned about disease transmission from these rodents
- You need help identifying whether you have deer mice or another rodent species
- You want comprehensive prevention to keep deer mice from returning
Schedule a Free Inspection
Deer mice infestations in your property aren’t just a nuisance; they present real health risks due to their propensity to carry dangerous diseases like Lyme disease and Hantavirus. If you suspect deer mice in your Tennessee home or business, U.S. Pest Protection is ready to help with expert rodent control services.Our certified technicians can visit your property within 24 hours to correctly identify your rodent problem and implement effective control strategies. Equipped with years of field experience and the latest pest control technology, we can locate and eliminate deer mice infestations at their source. We’ll also go the extra mile by identifying any rodent-conducive areas around your property that need attention.
