Wood and field mouse

The genus Apodemus belongs to the order Rodentia and the family Muridae. These rodents, commonly known as wood or field mice, are significant agricultural pests globally, adapting rapidly to various agro-ecosystems and causing substantial economic damage to commercial crop production.

These pests target a wide variety of cultivated plants, including cereals, legumes, and oilseed crops. They consume seeds at the sowing stage, damage tender shoots during early development, and feed on maturing grains, which compromises both the density of the crops and the overall yield quality.

The biology of Apodemus is characterized by high reproductive rates and nocturnal foraging behavior. They establish complex burrow systems, often located near hedges or field margins, which serve as secure shelters during the winter months. Their ability to switch food sources depending on availability makes them persistent threats throughout the season.

Damage caused by these mice is twofold: direct consumption of plant material and destruction of grain stocks. Furthermore, their presence on farmlands presents sanitary risks, as they can serve as vectors for various pathogens, potentially contaminating harvested produce with their droppings and urine.

• Deep tillage to destroy burrow systems.
• Maintaining clean field margins and eliminating weeds.
• Targeted application of rodenticides in bait stations.
• Encouraging natural predators such as owls, hawks, and foxes.
• Precise seed treatment to reduce attractiveness to rodents during sowing.