Where do they live? However, during the winter months, deer mice may make their way into your home as a means of avoiding the cold weather. Deer Mice Habitat; Where Do They Live? The pups within litters of deer mice are kept by the mother within an individual home range. Different species of mice take advantage of different substrates and housing options, depending on what their habitat provides. Mice can get into homes and become a real problem—building nests, contaminating food, causing damage, and spreading disease. The names "chevrotain" and "mouse-deer" have been used interchangeably among the Asian species, though recent authorities typically have preferred chevrotain for the species in the genus Moschiola and mouse-deer for … They build a cup-shaped nest of finely shredded plants and fur. House mice are more likely to invade homes since deer mice prefer to live outdoors. Deer mice have a habit of picking up rodenticide baits. Deer mice … Where do deer mice live? Others live in shrubs, decks, wood piles, tree cavities and crevices of rock walls. Learn how to get rid of deer mice. The deer mouse is a moderately small mouse-like rodent that exhibits considerable variation in color, tail length and markings. For more information on deer mice or help with control, call the Orkin experts today. Deer mice like to live in wood or piles of debris or in holes found in trees, fencing, and in between rocks. Even the tail is 2-toned. The vast majority of deer mice do not live beyond 2.5 years, as predation and organ failure are the largest contributors to death. December 2, 2015. Both the Deer Mouse and the House Mouse have an important role to play in the overall ecological system in which they live. Also, Deer mice consume many insects that are considered pests by … Rodent Control. When they invade a home, they can be found nesting in walls, attic spaces, and even gutter systems. Common varieties include deer mouse, house mouse, field mouse, wood mouse, dormouse, spiny mouse and zebra mouse. Characteristics of Deer Mice. Where do deer mice live? Deer mice that live in woodlands are typically larger and have larger tails and feet than deer mice that live in prairies. Deer mice that live in woodlands are typically larger and have larger tails and feet than deer mice that live in prairies. If baits are used to control deer mice… Their backs are typically brown in color, but can also be black or grey. Deer mice have small bodies. The deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus, often referred to as a white-footed mouse, is the most abundant and widely distributed mammal in North America.A member of a large group of species and subspecies of the genus Peromyscus, deer mice are very proficient jumpers and runners that received their name due to their agility.. The ears are moderately long, essentially naked and usually held erect and directed forward. To keep them away, seal off any points of entry into your home, clean up litter and piles where rodents like to live and breed, install weather stripping around windows and doors and don't leave food out as this will only attract them. They are much more agile than normal house mice. Using plant fibers, cloth, and fur, deer mice create nests in tree cavities and under rocks or stumps. They have prominent, rounded ears and large eyes. Most deer mice live in forests and grasslands, but they can survive in almost any environment. This shorter natural life span is primarily due to the very large number of predators that take and consume deer mice. Deer Mouse Nests. What do they look like? Where Do Deer Mice Live, What Do They Eat & How to Get Rid of Rodents in Versailles, KY; Throughout the State of Kentucky you can find many homes that are battling a rodent invasion. Deer mice create nests in burrows or in other sheltered areas within rocky or wooded areas and burrowing behavior varies between species (Hu and Hoekstra 2017). Having deer mice in your home is a great concern as they are the primary carrier of hantavirus. They often live in hollow trees or in nests underground. The name deer mouse comes both from their coloring and the fact that they are excellent runners and jumpers. The female can have 4 litters per year with 3 to 6 babies per litter. They weigh between 10 and 24 grams and they are typically 119 to 222 mm long, no longer than house mice.Tail length varies in different populations and ranges from 45 mm to 105 mm. Unanswered Questions. They usually are most active at night, but they can be found out during the day. Because they are nocturnal, deer mice use their nest for sleeping during the day. When they do this, there is no bait left for other mice to pick up. Deer mice become sexually active very early in life, which is a big reason why their numbers can increase so rapidly. Deer mice can live up to five years in captivity but probably only live about a year in the wild. This makes controlling deer mice with baits a little more difficult than controlling house mice. Trapping and removing mice is usually the best DIY method for controlling a mouse problem. Deer mice are nocturnal. Some have even found deer mice in fabric upholstery, drawers and in storage areas. However, when the pests do get inside, they bring along some unique problems. The deer mouse is also very faithful and usually stays with one mate for life. Come the fall season, rodents will begin invading homes in search of a stable and warm place to reside during the cold winter season.