No matter how secure your home may be, there is always a chance that pests can get inside. Of all the pests that can infest your home, deer mice are among the most problematic. It’s important that you are able to identify a deer mouse infestation so you can contact professional residential pest control services near you to take care of the problem.
What Are Deer Mice?
Deer mice are slender rodents between 7 and 10 cm in body length. They get their name from their brownish or reddish fur and white underbelly, both of which are similar to the colouring of a deer. Their most telling physical characteristic is their bi-coloured tail, which is dark on top and lighter on the bottom.
Deer Mice Nesting and Habitat
Deer mice tend to nest in hollow logs or underneath piles of wood or stones. They are often associated with prairies and other wide-open spaces, which is why they are also often referred to as field mice. They seek out indoor spaces for warmth in the winter. When they are indoors, they try to avoid people and can be found in crawlspaces, attics, and basements. They will eat practically anything they find, but they prefer nuts, seeds, fruit, and insects.
What Are the Signs of a Deer Mouse Infestation in Your Home?
Some of the signs of a deer mouse infestation in your home include droppings near floorboards, damage to food packaging, and nests inside mattresses and dark areas in your home. You are almost certain to have an infestation if you see one deer mouse in your home. These animals reproduce quickly and know how to stay hidden, so never assume that you only have one deer mouse in your home
Are Deer Mice Dangerous?
While deer mice seem harmless, they are carriers of hantavirus, which can cause a severe respiratory infection in people. The virus is spread through deer mice droppings, and those who try to clean up the droppings or who live in an infested home can contract it. This is the biggest reason why you should contact rat and mouse control services if you suspect that you have deer mice in your home.
How Do I Get Deer Mice in My Home?
Deer mice tend to enter homes in the early winter when it starts to get cold. They are attracted to homes that are surrounded by vegetation, firewood, and other things that can provide shelter. They are small enough to fit into practically any opening, and they have even been known to get into attics by climbing vines that reach to a home’s upper level.
How do I Get Rid of Deer Mice?
The best way to get rid of deer mice is to prevent them from getting into your home in the first place. Remove vegetation and piles of firewood that are close to your home, and seal off any openings on the outside of your home no matter how small they are.
The most effective way of ridding your home of deer mice, is by enlisting the help of professional pest control services. The team at ASAP Pest Control can help to ensure that all entry ways are identified and sealed and will develop a plan to ensure future deer mice infestations are avoided.
If you’re a homeowner in and around London, Ontario, contact ASAP Pest Control today. We are among the top residential pest control services in the London Ontario area, and we can help make sure that your home remains free of deer mice and other pests.