Deer Mice in Central Arkansas
Found throughout North America, deer mice, also called field mice or white-footed mice, favor woodland environments but are also found in desert regions. While they mainly inhabit outdoor areas in rural settings, they occasionally venture into homes seeking warmth during winter. Although seemingly harmless, deer mice are notorious carriers of hantavirus, posing a considerable health threat. Primarily active at dusk and dawn, they primarily feed on a diet of insects, seeds, nuts, and berries.
Deer Mouse Habitat
Deer mice are primarily active at night and seek refuge during the day within cup-shaped nests composed of stems, leaves, and fibrous materials. These nests, which may be lined with feathers or shredded cloth, are commonly found in outdoor locations such as tree hollows, fence posts, and beneath logs and rocks. Within residential environments, deer mice establish nests in secluded areas such as basements, attics, garages, and crawl spaces. Despite the onset of winter, deer mice remain active and may venture indoors seeking warmth, settling in storage containers, wall voids, and upholstered furniture for shelter.
Deer Mouse Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
Throughout most of the year, deer mice establish nests in quiet, shadowy, and undisturbed outdoor locations. As winter approaches and temperatures plummet, they often invade homes, garages, sheds, and even vehicles. Once inside, they tend to congregate in basements or attics. The primary danger associated with deer mice lies in their ability to transmit hantavirus, which can lead to severe illness or death. Transmission typically occurs through contact with mouse carcasses or inhalation of airborne urine droplets emitted by infected deer mice.
If you have a deer mouse infestation in your Central Arkansas property, always contact a licensed rodent control company.
