Deer Mouse and Field Mouse Control Around Indianapolis
Not every mouse is a house mouse. On the edges of the metro, where yards meet woods, creeks and farm fields, a lot of the mice that move in come from outside. Deer mice and white-footed mice are field mice. They're tan to reddish brown on top with a crisp white belly, white feet, big eyes and big ears.
They live outdoors most of the year and move into garages, sheds, barns and sometimes houses when it gets cold. People in Zionsville, Noblesville and other places with wooded lots find them in stored boxes, grill covers and car engine compartments.
Why Cleanup Matters More With Deer Mice
The CDC links deer mice to hantavirus, which people can catch by breathing in dust from droppings, urine or nests. Cases are rare, but the cleanup rules are simple, so follow them. Air out a closed shed or cabin before going in. Wear gloves. Spray droppings and nests with disinfectant until they're soaked, let it soak a few minutes, then wipe it up and bag it all. Never sweep or vacuum droppings dry.
For a big mess in a garage, shed, attic or crawl space, have it handled with the right gear. See attic and crawl space cleanup.
Where They Get In
Field mice use the same gaps house mice do: garage door corners, gaps under shed doors, holes around pipes and vents, and cracks at the foundation. Outbuildings are usually the first stop. Check them in October before you store the patio cushions and the lawn mower for the winter. Entry point sealing closes them for good.
- Garages and sheds with gaps under the doors
- Stored cushions, sleeping bags and boxes on the floor
- Grill covers, mower housings and car air filter boxes
- Woodpiles stacked against the house
Rodent Q&A
How do I tell a deer mouse from a house mouse?
Deer mice have a sharp line between a brown back and a white belly, white feet, and bigger eyes and ears. House mice are gray-brown all over.
Do they stay all year?
Many move back outside in spring, but they'll come back next fall unless the gaps are closed.
Covering Broad Ripple, Irvington, Fountain Square, Lawrence, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Zionsville, Avon, Brownsburg, Plainfield, Greenwood.