Mice

House mice and deer mice are the two species of mice most common in Middle Tennessee homes and businesses. They share many similarities in appearance.

The common house mouse is between five and half and seven inches in length with large ears and small dark eyes. House mice are gray or brown in color with light tan bellies.

Deer mice are about the same size as house mice at approximately six inches in length. They have grayish-brown fur with white bellies and legs. Deer mice get their name from their ability to jump and run very quickly. They are also frequently referred to as field mice.

Are Mice Dangerous?

Both house mice and deer mice carry many diseases that can infect humans. When mice get into your home, they will contaminate your food and food prep areas with salmonellosis and other pathogens that can cause bacterial food poisoning. Both species are also carriers of the deadly hantavirus, as well as leptospirosis and lymphocytic choriomeningitis. Ticks are often found on mice, which also endangers your family with illnesses such as Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.

Mice are also very dangerous to the structure of your home and everything inside it. They will chew through drywall, structural supports, plumbing pipes, and electrical wires, which can cause fire hazards and water damage. They’ll also leave droppings everywhere they go and can damage items with their urine.

What Causes Mice?

Though they may be a problem all year round, mice generally enter homes and businesses in the fall and winter months looking for food, water, and shelter. Mice, especially deer mice, are excellent climbers and jumpers. They can squeeze through tiny cracks and crevices to enter buildings. Mice generally reside in areas where they can forage off of humans.

As the weather gets colder, and food and water sources become harder to find, mice are likely to look for ways inside your house where all of their needs can be met. Even if they can’t find an opening large enough to squeeze through, their excellent chewing abilities can help them make a tiny hole bigger. Once a hole is the diameter of a dime, they’ll be able to sneak inside.

How To Get Rid Of Mice

Mice are not easy to get rid of once they get into your house. They are good at hiding, skittish by nature, and they reproduce quickly. Attempting to eliminate mice through DIY methods almost always fails to deal with the full infestation.

For total mouse control, we recommend professional pest control services. At All-American Pest Control, we offer pest control for mice and household insects that commonly infest properties in our region. To learn more about our Nashville home pest control services, our green pest control solutions, or to find out how we can help you protect your business facility, products, and staff from mice and rodents, please contact us today.