Types of Mice Species in New Jersey

House Mice Species in New Jersey

The house mouse fits the general description when you imagine a mouse. House mice range from 2.5 to 3.5 inches in length and they have nice round ears and noses. The house mice’s beady eyes are the first thing you will notice when you spot one. They have short fur with a brown or gray color and a white underbelly. They have small, nimble feet with tiny, scratchy nails. Their long, scaly tails are almost hairless and can be between 2.5 to 4 inches long. They communicate with a faint, high-pitched squeak.

Habitat

These pesky rodents are distributed throughout the United States and feel right at home in the Garden State. All mice species in New Jersey are nocturnal and prefer dark, warm hiding spots to nest during the day. When outdoors, house mice often find refuge in hollow trees, leaf piles, and other secluded places that keeps them safe from their many predators.

Home and Health Hazards

Since house mice are natural foragers, food gets scarce as the weather turns cold. The late fall and winter months are typically when they like to invade human habitats. They can enter through holes and cracks in your foundation or torn screens. House mice adore cotton, cloth, insulation, and other soft materials for nests they often make behind walls, in cabinets, or under appliances.

House mice species in New Jersey like nests near a food source, and your unguarded pantry, refrigerator, and cabinets are a prime target. They have very sharp, tiny teeth that can cut through anything from wood to plastic and since they are omnivores, house mice will eat almost anything. Common threats are bread, grains, sugar, or anything that will calm their sweet tooth.

These miniature looters create ceaseless streams of urine and fecal bits in the process.    This is the source of contamination of your food and surfaces they come into contact with.  This is gross and creates problems because house mice carry dangerous diseases like LCMV, hantavirus, and salmonella.

Field Voles Species in New Jersey

Meet the country cousin of these other mice species in New Jersey: the field vole. These outdoor rodents are a bit smaller and chunkier than their mouse cousins. Typical field voles are about five to eight inches long and have shorter tails. Their eyes and ears are smaller as well and their fur is colored so that they are camouflaged in the wild. Field voles are excellent jumpers and are quick on their feet for optimal survival.

Habitat

Field voles would rather be outside than invade human domiciles. They love to build their nests in fields or under rock piles.

Field voles will dig unique underground tunnels that are unsightly in yards and gardens. If they can’t find enough vegetation or bugs around their nests, they’ll gladly forage your vegetable garden, grain storage, or even animal feed.

Home and Health Hazards

If a field vole sneaks into your New Jersey home at night, it’s probably out of curiosity. These roaming rodents may find an exciting flaw in your foundation and sneak in for a peak. They might discover entrances in the case of bad weather or escape a predator. However, it is quite unusual for a field vole to prefer and infest human dwellings.

Their potential threats are usually in the yard, garden, and outbuildings. They steal grain, fruit, berries, and vegetables, and tear up the ground by making underground trails. Although they aren’t as likely to hide in your home, they can still pose a health threat to you, your family, and your pets. Like mice, they are common harborers of diseases that can make you ill or may even be fatal. Although unusual, they can bite and transfer rabies.

White-Footed Mouse Species in New Jersey

If you’re wandering through a grove of trees in the Garden State and see a mouse scurrying up the side of a tree, it’s probably this rodent. White-footed mice species in New Jersey are aptly named for their stark white feet. The average specimen is about 3.5 to 5 inches in length with a bare slender tail nearly as long as their body. They have prominent ears and beady eyes like their mouse cousins. Their short fur ranges from tan to reddish color, and they blend well into the outside.

Habitat

The white-footed mouse gets its name from how it enjoys climbing trees. These mice are omnivores as well, so they love to eat plants, seeds, nuts, berries, and the occasional insect. They love running around fields, woods, cliffs, and caves. They set up housekeeping close to their food sources.

Home and Health Hazards

If you live in a New Jersey city or suburb, you’re not likely to see one of these country rodents. The white-footed mice would rather stay in open fields and be secluded from humans. They will occasionally seek shelter in a barn or outbuilding on your property but it is rare for them to build a nest in your home. 

The white-footed mouse plays a big part in the ecosystem because they are prey for many animals like owls and snakes. While these mice are not known to carry diseases they can still be a threat from the ticks that latch on to them. Ticks are known to carry diseases such as Lyme disease and this could be a serious issue if left unnoticed.

Deer Mice Species in New Jersey

Another pesky rodent that calls New Jersey home is deer mice. Like their country mouse cousins, they prefer woods, meadows, and fields and rarely wander into the cities. According to this mice species in New Jersey, deer mice are usually about 4.5 to 6 inches long with an equally long tail. Their short fur varies between dark brown and reddish-brown in the Northeastern climates. They have bugged eyes, a pointed nose, and large ears typical of mice.

Habitat

Deer mice like to keep their distance from humans and are unlikely to infest a home. However, they may build a nest in a secluded cabin or outbuilding that people don’t usually inhabit. They spend all night foraging for plants and vegetation to eat, but they’re also known to be scavengers.

Home and Health Hazards

Deer mice have been known to carry illnesses through their urine and fecal matter. Ticks like to latch on to them as well so they have a bigger chance at spreading something that could be hazardous to people and pets.

Mole Species in New Jersey

While many farmers and homeowners consider moles rodents, they actually aren’t—so technically they are not a type of mice species in New Jersey. But they should be on the list because it is difficult for homeowners to distinguish them from mice. Moles are small mammals that spend much of their time digging complex tunnels and nests underground. The North American mole, common in New Jersey’s rural areas, has a round body that is about 4.5 to 6 inches in length. 

Their pointy noses are hairless, and it isn’t easy to see their tiny eyes or ear holes. It leads to the common misperception that moles are blind. The mole’s most prominent features are their powerful front paws and sharp nails that they use for a lifetime of digging. Depending on the species, males have an almost velvety fur that can be charcoal gray to deep black in color.

Habitat

Moles prefer country gardens, woods, and fields that offer them plenty of space for subterranean living. However, you may encounter bugs and other tiny critters. Their favorite meal is earthworms, which they store in a small pantry in their underground mazes.

Home and Health Hazards

If you are a gardener or own a spacious lawn, you understand how moles can be the bane of your existence. While they don’t eat flowers, bulbs, roots, or any garden produce, their unsightly tunneling disturbs roots and kills plants. They also leave holes in the ground that are potential tripping hazards for people.

If you come across a mole, it will bite if it feels threatened. A mole bite can carry rabies just as easily as any other mammal bite can. Moles also host fleas and ticks that are known carriers of dangerous diseases for humans and pets.

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