The Deer Mouse is a small rodent in the taxonomic genus Peromyscus. Place trash and animal feed in rodent-proof containers with tight-fitting lids. Researchers recognize at least 57 different species of deer mice. Wood and brush piles, along with fallen trees, should be kept away from homes and other buildings, as these are prime nesting areas that could harbor deer mice that may enter homes and other buildings. Collectively, snakes, owls, weasels, skunks, badgers, foxes, coyotes, and bobcats can consume large numbers of deer mice. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station: 113–122, Wagg, J. W. Bruce. © Instagram/thesugarbee Dogs and cats are not known to be reservoir hosts for hantavirus; however, they may bring infected rodents into contact with humans. Place rodents in a plastic bag and seal the bag. The California Fish and Game Code classifies deer mice as nongame mammals. Although human cases of this virus are rare, HPS can be a severe respiratory disease in humans with fatality rates of about 36%. Secure your house and other structures. In: Management of subalpine forests: building on 50 years of research: Proceedings of a technical conference; 1987 July 6–9; Silver Creek, CO. Gen. Tech. Once a deer mouse population has been effectively controlled, it is important to monitor for signs of a reinfestation. Image Credit. The deer mouse is found in all types of habitats throughout California including forests, grasslands, scrublands, and agricultural lands. It is closely related to Peromyscus leucopus, the white-footed mouse. Subscribe (RSS) It is important to properly disinfect the potentially contaminated areas. However, in urban settings mice often live in close association with cats and dogs. [23], Deer mice are often active in open habitat; most subspecies do not develop hidden runways the way many voles (Microtus and Clethrionomys spp.) This means that there is intrafamilial mating and that the gene flow among deer mice as a whole is limited. State and local health agencies have tested several thousand deer mice throughout the State and found average 12% positive for Hantavirus. However, deer mice have a much greater tendency to cache food supplies such as acorns, seeds, or nuts than do house mice. Timm, R. M. Oct. 2011. Place in a hot dryer or hang outside in the sun until dry. Dog houses, sheds, and other shelter available within residential areas also provide refuge for some rodents, and food left out for pets as well as spillage from bird feeders often encourage rodent infestations. PDF reader. UC ANR Publication 74161. [7] The pups within litters of deer mice are kept by the mother within an individual home range. These mice live in a wide variety of different habitats. Stoneback warmed the mouse in the palm of her hand and fed her from a small paintbrush dipped in milk replacer. Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual solutions to specific pest problems. Glue boards are sold commercially for controlling mice and rat populations. Nests consist of stems, twigs, leaves, and roots of grasses and other fibrous materials and may be lined with fur, feathers, or shredded cloth. Nests have been found up to 24 m (79 ft) above the ground in Douglas-fir trees. Deer mice are predominantly granivorous, feeding on a range of seeds. [14], Female deer mice construct nests using a variety of materials including grasses, roots, mosses, wool, thistledown, and various artificial fibers. Mice tend to run along walls, so if traps are placed at the juncture of a wall and the floor with the trigger pointed toward the wall, then the mouse will run directly across the trigger and very likely be caught. The other species are the brush mouse (P. boylii), the California mouse (P. californicus), the canyon mouse (P. crinitus), the cactus mouse (P. eremicus), the northern Baja deer mouse (P. fraterculus), and the pinyon mouse (P. truei). It is found throughout southern Canada, the United States, and north and central Mexico, including Baja California. Deer mice are a particular concern because they spread hantavirus, which can be deadly to people. However, such natural predation isn’t generally enough to control deer mouse populations to a low enough level to prevent damage or risk of exposure to hantavirus. Fit chimneys with a spark arrester to help prevent entry. Wear nonfabric gloves whenever touching or cleaning contaminated surfaces or when handling mouse nests, dead mice, or mouse traps. Humans view some species as agricultural pests, and some species spread disease. Hantavirus infection is a serious, life-threatening illness. Upholstered furniture and carpets can be shampooed and steam cleaned. Deer mice are often known to cache their food and store some of their food near their nests, especially in autumn when foods such as tree seeds and nuts are most plentiful. A dozen or more traps may be needed to effectively control a large population in a timely manner. Deer mice can reproduce throughout the year, though in most parts of their range, they breed from March to October. Nowak, Ronald M.; Paradiso, John L. (1983). Because rodents carry fleas, it may also be necessary to treat areas with flea killer. Deer mice shed the virus in their saliva, urine, and droppings. Tiniest Orphaned Mouse Baby Loves Her Bathtime. A deer mouse has chewed open this almond and removed its nut meat. The litter size also varies by species. Zinc phosphide produces phosphine gas in the stomach of the mouse after ingestion. It usually moves by walking or running. These rodents have rounded ears and large eyes. If rubber gloves are not available, invert a plastic bag over your hand, pick up the rodent with the inverted plastic bag, then pull the bag around the rodent and seal. Inyo, Kern & Mono counties are prime habitat for the Inyo Mule Deer.. Burro Mule Deer habitat straddles the California-Arizona border, as the subspecies inhabits Imperial, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.. [6], This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Department of Agriculture document: "Peromyscus maniculatus"..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}, Data related to Peromyscus maniculatus at Wikispecies. Deer mice also nest above ground and have been known to utilize abandoned squirrel and bird nests or nest inside buildings.