Deer Mouse

Although all species in the genus Peromyscus are often referred to as deer mice or white-footed mice, the other species all have different common names except for P. Maniculatus. Deer mice are structural pests in rural, summer/vaction, out building, and shed-type structures, as well as suburban homes located in or near hantavirus which causes Hantaviru Pulmonary Syndrome. The deer mouse is found in the West from Mexico to the southern Yukon and Northwest Territories of Canada, and in the East from Huson Bay south to Pennsylvania, the southern Appalachian mountains, central Arkansas, and central Texas.

Recognition

Adults have a head and body length about 2 3/4-4 inches, a tail length about 2-5 inches, and hind feet 5/8-1 inch long; weigh about 3/8-1 1/4 ounches. Woodland forms usually are larger, with a longer tail and larger feet than the prairie/field form. They are a pale grayish buff to deep reddish brown above and white below. Tails are always sharply bicolored, longer than half-length of the head and body combined, and covered with short hairs/fur. The hind foot has six pads each. Young are similar but their top/upper side is gray.

Note that separation of species of Peromyscus is difficult, often requiring the services of a rodent taxonomist, but the characteristic of being bicolored with a hairy tail will easily separate them from the house mouse.

Habits

Deer mice are nocturnal. Their runways are poorly defined and they often use the runways of other small mammals. They are excellent climbers and can utilize the upper areas of buildings.

Outside, they nest in old fence posts, tree hollows/cavities, log piles, abandoned bird/squirrel nest and animal burrows, beneath decks or dig small burrows. Inside, they nest in storage boxes, stuffed furniture, wall voids, on sill plates, in structural corners, and tight places in basements and attics.

They feed on insects, seeds, nuts, berries, small fruits, and subterranean fungus, and other small animals such as centipedes. Food is stored for the winter in hollow logs and other protected places.

Deer mice have a home range of 1/2-3 acres. A summer population of 10-15 per acre is high and some congregate in winter.

During the colder months, they frequently enter homes, garages, and sheds and occasionally stored RVs and other infrequently used vehicles. They may damage foodstuffs and furnishings. In unoccupied summer and vacation homes, the damage to upholstered furniture, which they use for nests or nesting materials, can be extensive.