Mice – the most common rodent that was declared as pests in the year 1950, are found just about everywhere. You’ve probably one in your house. Don’t get carried away by their tiny cute appearance. They are destructive and can cause real damage to your health and property.
According to a survey conducted by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), rodents, have been a problem for nearly 29 percent or one-third of the American population.
The United States is home to a plethora of mouse species located in different parts of the country. This blog explores the top five species of mouse found in the U.S.
Let’s get going!
House Mice
House mice (Mus musculus) is the most common mammal found in the U.S. These mice species are found mostly in North America and nest in bushes, farms, pastures, and urban settings. They have dark grey fur, small rounded ears, a pointed snout, a long scaly tail, and a high breeding rate. A house mouse always prefers to live near humans, in fields, and in or around the house. They feed on seeds, crumbs, and the leftovers that you leave on kitchen counters or dining tables. They can transmit hantavirus disease through their parasites and feces.
Deer Mice
Named after the striking similarity of their fur color with the deer’s fur, the deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) or the field mice are the rodent species prevalent across the entire continent. They mostly prefer to nest in woodlands, and desert areas. The most distinguishing characteristic is their dark and light bicolored tail, greyish brown body, and white belly. Deer mice have around 56 subspecies and are closely related to the white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus). They also spread Hantavirus disease along with the Lyme disease bacteria.
White-footed Mice
White-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) named after their unusual white feet are native to North America and southern, western, and the midwestern United States. In Texas, it is also known as the woodmouse. They are round and slender with a brownish to reddish back fur, a white belly and can be as tiny as five inches to as giant as eight inches long. White-footed mice are omnivorous and consume both insects and seeds. They are timid and normally avoid humans, but occasionally, they tend to seek shelter in ground-floor walls in apartments and homes to build nests and store food. White-footed mice carry Lyme disease-causing spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi
Cactus Mice
The cactus mice (Peromyscus eremicus) from the Cricetidae family are closely related to the deer mice. They are most common in the southwestern United States and prefer to live in burrows or rock crevices in desert environments. The main physical characteristic of a cactus mouse is its long tail. The color of the fur ranges from pale yellow to black. They are shy and seldom bites humans. Cactus mice are omnivores that feast on different kinds of animals and plants. They can also spread hantavirus.
California Mice
California mice (Peromyscus californicus) is the largest species of the Peromyscus family in the United States. It is found mainly in and across the golden state, from central to southern California, hence the namesake. They are large that ranges from eight to eleven inches with unusually large ears, multiple fur colors, and white-colored belly and feet. Because of their size, they are often confused with juvenile pack rats. They transmit some deadly diseases like Plague, Salmonella, Lyme disease, Typhus, and other harmful diseases.
Wrapping Up
To conclude, mice infestation is a major pest problem in the United States. This blog helps you identify the type of pest that’s invading and plaguing your home. That said, irrespective of the species of mouse you encounter in your home or business, it can damage your property and spread diseases in no time. Seek the help of a rodent control company to eliminate mice from your property for good.