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Find out how fur coloring, size, and dropping shape differs between field and house mice
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Out of the corner of your eye, you see a small, furry critter race across your floor. It’s definitely a mouse, but how can you tell if it’s a field mouse or a house mouse? The great news is that there are size, appearance, and behavior differences between these mice that can help you easily tell them apart. In this article, we’ll list all the telltale signs that you’ve got a field or house mouse in your home. We’ll also tell you about any concerns you need to be aware of when dealing with these mice.
Things You Should Know
- Field mice are dark brown or gray with a white belly, while house mice are a solid brown or gray.
- Field mice are about 6 inches (15 cm) long with a furry tail. House mice are smaller, about 3 inches (7 cm) long with a scaly, hairless tail.
- Field mouse droppings have pointed ends, while house mouse droppings are oblong and rounded.
- Field mice are typically found in rural areas, while house mice are more commonly found in residential areas.
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QuestionHow can you tell the difference between a field mouse and a rat?𝙹𝚊𝚢𝚍𝚎𝚗Community AnswerRats are heavier and larger than mice but have shorter tails than mice.
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QuestionDo field mice eat house plants?𝙹𝚊𝚢𝚍𝚎𝚗Community AnswerField mice don't usually eat house plants. But rodents often see them as a great spot to hide food they've found. They often cause damage as well.
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References
- ↑ https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/house-mouse/pest-notes/#gsc.tab=0
- ↑ https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/rodents
- ↑ https://icwdm.org/species/rodents/house-mice/
- ↑ https://www.smcmvcd.org/house-mouse
- ↑ https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/deer-mouse/pest-notes/#gsc.tab=0
- ↑ https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/deer-mouse/pest-notes/#gsc.tab=0
- ↑ https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/mammals/house-mouse
- ↑ https://homegarden.cahnr.uconn.edu/factsheets/field-rodents-mice-voles-chipmunks-moles/
- ↑ https://biokids.umich.edu/critters/Mus_musculus/
- ↑ https://extension.okstate.edu/programs/integrated-pest-management/school/site-files/docs/common-pests/mouse.pdf
- ↑ https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g9442
- ↑ https://acis.cals.arizona.edu/community-ipm/home-and-school-ipm-newsletters/ipm-newsletters/2023/07/26/is-that-a-mouse-or-a-rat
- ↑ https://hles.unl.edu/cleaning-after-rodents
- ↑ https://www.montana.edu/extension/Full_HTML_Pubs/mffn_forestresilienceresistancerestorationandcollaboration/ThingsThatSqueak.html
- ↑ https://npic.orst.edu/pest/mice.html
- ↑ https://icwdm.org/species/rodents/house-mice/house-mouse-damage-identification/
- ↑ https://www.ischool.berkeley.edu/projects/2007/fieldmice-project
- ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/what-do-about-wild-mice
About This Article
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