Are deer mice common in Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma, the deer mouse is the most likely carrier of hantavirus. The virus is shed in the urine, feces and saliva of rodents, and people can become infected through contact with contaminated surfaces. Transmission most commonly occurs when people breathe air containing infected particles of excrement.
Is hantavirus common in Oklahoma?
Hantavirus. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a reportable disease in Oklahoma.
Do all deer mice carry the hantavirus?
In North America, they are the deer mouse, the white-footed mouse, the rice rat, and the cotton rat. However, not every deer mouse, white-footed mouse, rice rat, or cotton rat carries a hantavirus. Other rodents, such as house mice, roof rats, and Norway rats, have never been known to give people HPS.
How big is a deer mouse?
7 to 10 cm long
Size: They are round and slender, ranging from 7 to 10 cm long in body length. Head: Deer mice have a pointed nose and large, black beady eyes. Their ears are large with little fur covering them.
Is a deer mouse a field mouse?
The term field mouse can refer to several types of small rodents, including house mice. However, the deer mouse is most often associated with the name field mouse.
What do you do with a deer mouse?
If you do have a deer mice infestation, call pest services professionals immediately. Handling mice extermination yourself is a dangerous job and could harm you.
What are the chances of getting hantavirus?
Cohen: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is rare — the chance of getting the disease is 1 in 13,000,000, which is less likely than being struck by lightning.
What kind of animal is a deer mouse?
The Deer Mouse is a small rodent in the taxonomic genus Peromyscus. Researchers recognize at least 57 different species of deer mice. These little rodents live primarily in North America. Most species have chestnut brown fur with white underbellies, similar to the coloration of the whitetail deer.
Where can you find deer mouse in North America?
The deer mouse is found throughout North America, preferring woodlands, but also appearing in desert areas. The deer mouse is found throughout North America, preferring woodlands, but also appearing in desert areas.
What kind of animal is the Texas mouse?
Texas Mouse – Despite its name, this species also lives in Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri. Unlike most species, this mouse is only slightly lighter on its underside. This little rodent is an unlikely voracious predator of grasshoppers! California Mouse – This is the largest of the various species at about 10 inches long.
Where do deer mice go in the winter?
Deer mice are most commonly associated with prairies or other bushy, wooded areas. These pests prefer areas with tall grass or brush for cover, particularly in woodlands and grasslands. In winter, deer mice enter domestic spaces in search of food and warmth. Although they become sluggish during cold months,…