While most rodents are somewhat similar in appearance, there are certain ways to tell them apart. Deer mice have white feet and underbellies, with tails almost as long as their bodies and completely covered in hair. House mice are around the same size and color, but their tails are instead covered in scales. Deer mice also have larger eyes and ears than house mice. Knowing the differences between house mice and deer mice is essential for homeowners dealing with an infestation.
Summary of Differences
| Pest | Differentiating Facts |
|---|---|
House Mouse | House Mouse
|
Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse
|
How to Correctly Identify Them
What do house mice look like?
The Mus musculus uses its long, hairless, scaly tail for balance when running and climbing. Four small feet prove agile, allowing house mice to run and climb over most surfaces very quickly.
What do deer mice look like?
The deer mouse possesses a round, slender body typically no bigger than four inches long. The head tapers to a pointed nose with pronounced vibrissae, or whiskers. The species has beady black eyes, nearly hairless ears, and a furry tail that nearly doubles the length of the animal. The coloration typically appears dark on top and varies in shade from gray to reddish-brown and white on the bottom.
The tail features two contrasting sides, as the top remains dark while the underside is lighter in color. The forelimbs generally are shorter than the hind legs.
Behavior Differences
House mice and deer mice are both found throughout the U.S.
While house mice can live outdoors, they prefer to stay near humans and make homes in secluded places between walls and rafters. They are known for ripping up insulation, paper, and cardboard to use as nesting materials. House mice infest homes year round.
On the other hand, deer mice tend to shelter in hidden areas outdoors like hollow tree logs or piles of debris. They are also agile jumpers and climbers, a skill that helps them escape predators. When they do get inside, they prefer to nest in attics.
Both pests may gnaw on siding to enter homes and chew into stored foods. They also make unsightly messes and contaminate pantry goods.
Diseases and Removal
The habitat and behavior differences between a house mouse and a deer mouse mean that these rodents transmit different illnesses.
House mice can carry meningitis, leptospirosis, and rickets. House mice may also trigger allergies with their feces, urine, and dander, especially in young children. However, they are not known carriers of plague.
In contrast, deer mice may harbor hantavirus, which can be fatal. Deer mice also carry parasites that spread Lyme disease, plague, and babesiosis.
Both mice can pass along salmonella, rat-bite fever, and plague. These pests are also capable of carrying numerous parasites into homes that can affect pets and people.