Edible dormouse

Systematic position: The edible dormouse (Glis glis) is a member of the rodent order and the Gliridae family. Often referred to as a garden pest in agricultural literature, it is the largest dormouse species. While known for its nocturnal habits, it acts as a significant threat to fruit production, especially in orchards adjacent to wooded areas where populations can thrive undisturbed.

Biology and life cycle: The species exhibits a strictly seasonal life cycle, spending the winter months in a state of deep hibernation. During the active season, they are agile climbers, capable of navigating treetops with extreme ease. They often utilize nesting boxes, tree cavities, or structural voids in agricultural buildings as homes, which complicates pest control efforts due to their secretive nature and nocturnal activity.

Susceptible crops: Dormice cause substantial damage to a wide range of pomaceous and stone fruits. Their diet includes apples, pears, plums, and cherries, but they have a particular preference for nut crops, including hazelnuts and walnuts. They often concentrate their feeding efforts on high-quality fruits, significantly impacting the commercial value of the orchard output.

Nature of damage and pest status: The damage caused by Glis glis is often characterized by selective feeding, where they consume only the best parts of the fruit. This process compromises the fruit's integrity, exposing it to fungal pathogens and promoting secondary rot.

• Consumption of ripening fruits resulting in total loss.
• Gnawing of fruit tree bark on young, sensitive shoots.
• Destruction of nut harvests before maturity.
• Contamination of harvesting areas and fruit storage facilities.

Control measures: Effective management of the edible dormouse focuses on physical exclusion and habitat modification rather than extermination. Installing metal baffles around the trunks of fruit trees prevents the dormice from climbing into the canopy. Additionally, sealing gaps in buildings and removing potential nest sites in the orchard can reduce local populations. In some jurisdictions, legal status must be checked before implementing any lethal control measures.