There are many similarities between deer mice and house mice. They are about the same size and have many physical features in common, but these two species are not from the same family. Understanding the differences is especially important for pest control specialists who use slightly different protocols when treating an infestation. 

If you have mice in or around your house, the following information can help determine which species has moved onto your Colorado property. Since there are similar, but varying, problems associated with house and deer mice, it’s essential to know which species you’re dealing with and what you should do about them to protect your home and family.

house mouse inside colorado springs home

Types Of Mice In Colorado

House Mice (Mus musculus)

Despite their name, house mice aren’t always homebodies. Many people call them field mice because, in the wild, they often live in fields and prairies. But given the choice, these little rodents would much rather take advantage of us. A stocked pantry, a bag of pet food, or even a few crumbs can be all it takes to convince them to move in.

That’s why house mice are one of the most common household pests. Once they find food inside, these freeloaders are more than willing to stay for the long haul, enjoying meals and shelter at your expense.

Deer Mice (Peromyscus keeni)

Deer mice are nature lovers at heart. You’ll usually spot them in rural areas, wooded spaces, or hanging around properties rather than living directly inside homes. They’re especially fond of barns, sheds, and outbuildings where they can stay tucked away and undisturbed.

That said, deer mice won't hesitate to move indoors when the weather turns harsh or food becomes scarce. Given the right conditions, your home can quickly become their shelter of choice.

The Differences in Appearance Between House Mice and Deer Mice

At first glance, house mice and deer mice look the same. They’re both tiny rodents, after all. However, if you can get a closer look, you might be able to identify which species is on your property. 

House mice have:

  • Bodies that are about five inches from nose to tail
  • Pointed noses
  • Beady black or pink eyes
  • Small, rounded ears
  • Long, hairless tails
  • Gray or light brown fur with lighter colored underbellies

Deer mice have:

  • Bodies that are about seven inches from nose to tail
  • Pointed noses
  • Large, black eyes
  • Large ears that are dark along the outside and lighter on the inner half
  • Long, hairy tails
  • Bi-colored fur that is dark on top and starkly white on their underbellies

House Mice vs. Deer Mice: Which Is More Dangerous?

When it comes to your family’s health, both house mice and deer mice pose serious risks. These rodents can spread bacterial illnesses like salmonellosis and leptospirosis by contaminating food and surfaces. Since house mice spend more time indoors, they’re often the bigger culprit here.

Both species can bring unwanted hitchhikers—ticks, fleas, and lice—into your home. Deer mice are especially likely to do so because they spend more time outdoors before sneaking inside.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis

House mice are connected to the spread of Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM), a viral disease. While it often only causes mild flu-like symptoms, it can cause meningitis and encephalitis in rare cases. If a pregnant woman becomes infected, it can also cause birth defects. 

Rickettsialpox

Rickettsialpox is a bacterial disease spread by house mouse mites. It is typically mild, with symptoms that include a black scab at the site of the mite bite, flu-like symptoms, and a whole-body rash. It can be treated with antibiotics, but it often resolves on its own.

Hantavirus

Deer mice are a vector for hantavirus, which is spread through contact with the mice or rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. The hantavirus spread by deer mice can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a disease that affects the lungs. Symptoms start mild and flu-like but later develop into respiratory symptoms. Up to 38% of people who contract HPS die from the disease.

How House Mice and Deer Mice Behave Inside Homes

While house mice are most at home indoors, deer mice prefer the outdoors and often nest in sheds, garages, or other outbuildings. That said, either species can make its way inside. Deer mice are skilled climbers and frequently end up in attics or upper levels of a house, while house mice usually stick to ground-level spaces.

Their feeding habits also set them apart. House mice are opportunistic nibblers, sampling whatever they find as they explore your home. Deer mice, on the other hand, are food hoarders; they collect and store what they find. This behavior can make them trickier to control since they may pick up treatment materials without consuming them. 

Rodent Control In Denver, Colorado Springs & NoCo

Whether you’re dealing with house mice or deer mice, you don’t want them nesting in your Colorado home or business. These pests are unsanitary, destructive, and tough to eliminate without professional help.

At EnviroPest, we provide comprehensive solutions tailored to your needs:

  • Home Pest Control with Digital Rodent Monitoring
    24/7 smart monitoring technology detects and tracks mouse activity in real time, so our team can act quickly and protect your home. This ongoing plan also includes regular pest treatments and targets rodents and other common household pests, such as ants and spiders. 
  • Commercial Pest Control
    From restaurants to warehouses, we safeguard Colorado businesses with customized, industry-compliant pest control programs.
  • Enviro Guard Pest Exclusion
    Our proactive exclusion service seals entry points and creates long-term protection to keep rodents and other pests out for good.

Protect your family, property, or business from house mice, deer mice, and other unwanted pests. EnviroPest serves Denver, Colorado Springs, and communities throughout Northern Colorado; contact us today to learn how we can keep your space rodent-free.