Identifying Mice Species Found in Illinois

If you are a resident of the Chicago area, there is a good chance that you are well aware of the mice problem that plagues our city. When you hire a mouse exterminator near Chicago, one of the first steps that your technician will take will be to identify the signs of mice throughout your home. To achieve the best level of home mouse control, your mice exterminator will need to figure out which species of mouse has invaded your property. To aid you in determining what type of mouse problem you are dealing with, here is a guide to identifying mice species that are found in the state of Illinois.

House Mouse

The house mouse is one of the most common mouse species that can be found across the state of Illinois. This species of mouse is so named because it prefers to take up residence in homes, garages, and other residential spaces. You can typically identify a house mouse by its greyish color and long, naked tail. House mice are usually very small, and measure no more than seven inches long.

Deer Mouse

While the deer mouse is a more unusual type of mouse that could invade your home, this mouse species is still prevalent in Illinois homes, especially in rural areas. To determine whether you are dealing with a house mouse or deer mouse infestation, you can look at the color and tail length of the rodent in question. Deer mice are dark red in color, and their tails are usually shorter than house mouse tails.

White-Footed Mouse

Your mouse exterminator will also look for signs of the white-footed mouse in your home. White-footed mice are often nearly the same dark red or brown color as deer mice, but usually grow to a slightly larger size. You can also identify a white-footed mouse by the distinctive, white markings that you see on its feet and legs. Once your exterminator has identified the mouse species that has invaded your home, he will be ready to start the removal process.