Mouse Infestations Can Pose Agricultural Problems Year-round

Deer mice typically nest in the hollows of trees or under piles of stones or logs. They are most commonly found in rural, wooded areas and tend to avoid humans, preferring quiet, out of the way nesting grounds. If around a human habitation, they’ll typically be found in attics, basements, or crawlspaces.

If an infestation of deer mice ever occurs, it will most likely be during the winter months, as the pests will be searching for food and warmth. Deer mice do not hibernate, which means that finding a means of shelter during unforgiving winter months is of the utmost importance, and they’ll choose human habitations if no other option is available.

Deer mice make their nests from fur, weeds, paper, and other detritus, and will hoard food and actively forage near their nesting site. Mostly herbivorous, these rodents prefer seeds, nuts, fruits, and berries, but will also seek out insects if no other food is available.

Because of their small size, deer mice can easily gain entry into homes and commercial spaces in search of heat and shelter. These pests can damage upholstered furniture, mattresses, clothing, paper, cardboard boxes, and basically any other material they deem suitable for their nest-building endeavors. Uniquely, these pests have a tendency to stockpile food near their nests during the winter months, which may aid in their identification and subsequent extermination in the event of an infestation.

Deer mice are uniquely responsible for the slow growth of forested and agricultural areas, because of the high degree of seed predation. Many experts agree that the deer mouse is responsible, more so than any other species of rodent or bird, for destroying nearly entire populations of Douglas-fir seeds. Accordingly, high populations of deer mice have been known to completely derail reforestation efforts in some areas.

As mentioned above, deer mice are prime vectors for pulmonary hantavirus syndrome, which can be fatal. The most effective way to avoid contracting hantavirus from these pests is to keep them out of human dwellings using proofing and exclusionary methods and to avoid working or sleeping in already where deer mice are already present.

Cantu Pest & Termite is proud to be the first company in Texas to offer a Cantu Green Service to our customers in search of a more prevention-based solution to their pest removal while minimizing the use of pesticides.

If deer mice or other pests have made unwanted appearances around your Dallas, Fort Worth, or Houston home or business, call Cantu Pest & Termite and schedule an appointment today with one of our friendly, experienced pest removal experts.