Birch mice

The genus birch mice (lat. Sicista) belongs to the order Rodentia and the family Dipodidae. These small mammals are native to forest-steppe and steppe zones, and in certain agricultural conditions, they can behave as incidental pests affecting crop health and yields.

These rodents primarily target cereal crops, the seeds of wild and cultivated grasses, and occasionally the young seedlings of vegetable crops. Their feeding activity is most pronounced during the grain maturation stage, as they build fat reserves for hibernation.

The biology of birch mice is distinct due to their habit of winter hibernation. They are nocturnal animals that inhabit dense grasslands, forest edges, and fallow lands. Their proximity to farmland allows them to migrate into fields, particularly where agricultural management allows for significant weed growth.

The damage caused by these rodents includes gnawing on stems, destroying grain kernels within the ear, and consuming seeds. While they typically do not reach the devastating population densities of house mice or voles, their presence can negatively impact edge-of-field crop uniformity.

• Deep autumn plowing to disturb nesting sites.
• Removing weeds and debris from field perimeters.
• Timely harvesting to reduce the food supply.
• Implementing rodenticide bait stations if thresholds are exceeded.
• Managing field borders to discourage habitat formation.

Effective management focuses on creating unfavorable conditions for the rodents near the crop areas. By strictly controlling weed populations at the field margins and ensuring field sanitation, farmers can significantly reduce the attractiveness of the land for birch mice, thereby preventing potential crop damage.