How to Get Rid of Deer Mice

As cute as it appears to be, the deer mouse (Peromyscus spp.) can be a very deadly creature. This innocent-looking little rodent is the primary spreader of hantavirus, which causes very serious disease.

Called a deer mouse because it somewhat resembles a very small deer, this mouse's upper body is grey to reddish-brown, its underbelly and legs are white, and its tail has two colors: dark on top and white on the sides and bottom. With big eyes and prominent, leaf-like ears, the deer mouse is a deceptively cute creature.

Getting rid of an infestation of deer mice, and denying them entry to your home, is a serious matter considering the consequences. Here's what you should do to control the rodent.

3 Ways to Get Rid of Deer Mice

Many of the same control measures used for common house mice will also work for deer mice, but care must be taken to avoid physical contact with the mice. Since deer mice are typically outdoor dwellers that seek indoor shelter only when cold weather approaches, prevention and control measures often focus on outdoor areas and on blocking entry points into the home.

Encourage Natural Predators

A variety of wild predators can help control deer mice populations around your home. Deer mice prefer outdoor locations, so they are especially susceptible to predators.

Owls and other raptor species of birds are prodigious hunters of mice and other small rodents, as are a variety of snakes and hunting mammals, such as foxes and coyotes. If you live in an area where such hunting creatures exist, they shouldn't be feared, but rather encouraged.

Set Traps

Deer mice can be caught with the same types of traps used to catch ordinary house mice. If using kill traps, take care not to touch the mice with your bare hands; you may want to use a protective breathing mask and wear gloves when disposing of mice, and when cleaning up nests or droppings.

Outdoor trapping is possible and live traps are an option for those who live in areas where other wild creatures such as chipmunks and squirrels could be inadvertently caught. It's important to note that live trapping increases the risk of disease exposure and transmission. If one does use this method the utmost caution must be taken when handling the live mouse and the trap.

Use Rodent Baits/Poisons

The same rodenticides used for house mice and rats will also kill deer mice dwelling in your home. But make sure to use these chemicals in a manner that protects humans and pets from accidental ingestion. And never use rodenticides outdoors, where dogs and desirable wildlife can reach them. Make sure to follow label directions when using rodenticides.

What Causes Deer Mice?

Like many other rodents, deer mice seek areas where there are sources of food and water and shelter from the elements. Unlike house mice, which prefer indoor dwelling year-round, deer mice are more typically outdoor feeders living on plant seeds and fruits that seek indoor shelter only when the weather turns cold.

How to Prevent Deer Mice

There are a variety of measures you can take to make your home less likely to experience deer mice:

• Seal holes and gaps in your home or garage. Deer mice very often seek indoor shelter when the weather turns cold, so inspecting and sealing gaps should be part of each year's winterizing routine.
• Clean up and/or put away exposed food to make it less attractive and less accessible to rodents (and other pests). Deer mice are especially fond of seeds, fruits, and other dried foods, so make sure to store birdseed and pet foods in sealed, impenetrable containers.
• Maintain mouse traps in and around your home to monitor rodent presence. This will help you identify if you have a deer mouse problem.
• Clean up litter and piles where rodents like to live and breed.
• Keep the areas near your home free of brush piles, tall grass, and other dense foliage where deer mice often live.

Deer Mice vs. Other Potentially Harmful Rodents

Although it is the primary carrier, the deer mouse is not the only carrier of hantavirus. Other prime carries include:

• White-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus): Closely resembling and closely related to the deer mouse, the white-footed mouse is found in many areas of the U.S., including the eastern coast from the South up through southern New England, the Midwest, and the West, as well as Mexico. These rodents are nearly identical to deer mice, but they have distinctive white feet.
• Cotton rat (Sigmodon spp.).: With a head and body that measures 8 to 14 inches from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail, this rodent is much larger than the deer mouse. In the U.S., this rat is found as far north as Nebraska in the west and coastal and central Virginia to the east. It prefers to live in areas that are overgrown with weeds, shrubs, or tall grass.
• Rice rat (Oryzomyini spp.): Though smaller than the cotton rat, the rice rat is still larger than the deer mouse. As its name hints, this semi-aquatic rat prefers wet and marshy areas like rice paddies. In the U.S., it is found primarily in the Southeast.