Deer Mice
Peromyscus maniculatus (and the similar white-footed mouse)
NuisanceWhat it is
Small mice with a brownish back, white underside, large eyes, and a distinctly bicolored tail. They are common in rural or wooded settings and may enter sheds, garages, attics, and homes.
How to recognize it
- Brown or gray on the back with a white belly and white feet
- Two-toned tail: dark above and white below
- Large eyes and ears
- About 5 to 8 inches long, including the tail
- Droppings are small and dark, like other mice
Where you will find it
Sheds, barns, garages, cabins, attics, wall voids, and wood piles, especially near fields or woods.
Found across much of North America. The closely related white-footed mouse is common in the East.
Why it matters
They can enter homes and spread droppings and urine. Deer mice are a known carrier of hantavirus, so careful cleanup matters.
Look-alikes
- House mouse: Gray-brown with a lighter belly and a tail of one color. Lives mostly around buildings.
- Shrew: Long, pointed snout and tiny eyes. Not a rodent.
What to do
- Store food, pet food, and birdseed in sealed containers.
- Clean up safely: air out the space for about 30 minutes, wear gloves, soak droppings and nests with disinfectant, then wipe them up. Never sweep or vacuum dry droppings.
- For heavily contaminated areas, ask a professional to handle the cleanup.
When to call a professional
- You see signs, or hear noises in the walls or attic.
- You'd rather not do the cleanup yourself.
Questions
Do deer mice carry hantavirus?
Some do. It is rare but serious, and most cases involve breathing in dust from rodent droppings in closed-up spaces. That is why you wet droppings before cleaning and never sweep them dry.
What if I feel sick after cleaning up droppings?
If you develop fever, aches, or breathing trouble within a few weeks, see a doctor and mention the rodent exposure.
How do I tell a deer mouse from a house mouse?
Deer mice have a white belly, white feet, and a two-toned tail, plus larger eyes and ears.
Related reading
Related pests
House Mouse
A small gray-brown commensal rodent that lives closely with people. It nests in wall voids, stored materials, insulation, equipment, and other sheltered spaces and can contaminate food with droppings and urine.
Read more →Mice
Small rodents that nest in warm, hidden places, contaminate food, gnaw wiring and breed quickly. Exclusion and careful cleanup are the long-term fix, so call a professional for a proper inspection.
Read more →Chipmunks
Small striped ground squirrels that burrow near foundations, landscaping, retaining walls, and gardens. They can disturb soil, raid birdseed, and occasionally enter garages or structures.
Read more →Flying Squirrels
Nocturnal squirrels with a skin membrane that allows gliding between trees. They may enter attics and wall spaces through small openings and can create noise, nesting, contamination, or chewing damage.
Read more →This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Pests vary by region and situation, and an on-site inspection is the reliable way to know what you have.