UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



FARMERS' 

 BULLETIN 



Washington, D. C. 



(370 



June 3, 1915. 



Contribution from the Bureau of Biological Survey, HenTy'\^l ^i^ShaW, Chief. 



FIELD MICE AS FARM AND ORCHARD PESTS. 



By D. E. I.ANTZ, Assistant Biologist. 

 INTRODUCTION. 



The ravages of short- tailed field mice in many parts of the United 

 States result in serious losses to farmers, orchardists, and those con- 

 cerned with the conservation of our forests, and the problem of con- 

 trolling the animals is one of considerable importance. 



Short-tailed field mice are commonly known as meadow mice, pine 

 mice, and voles; locally as bear mice, buck-tailed mice, or black mice. 

 The term includes a large number of closely related species widely 

 distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. Over 50 species and races 

 occur within the United States and nearly 40 other forms have been 

 described from North America. Old World forms are fully as numer- 

 ous. For the purposes of this paper no attempt at classification is 

 required, but two general groups will be considered under the names 

 meadow mice and pine mice. These two groups have well-marked 

 differences in habits, and both are serious pests wherever they in- 

 habit regions of cultivated crops. Under the term ^' meadow mice" ^ 

 are included the many species of voles that live chiefly in surface run- 

 ways and build both subterranean and surface nests. Under the 

 term ^^pine mice" ^ are included a few forms that, like moles, live 

 almost wholly in underground burrows. Pine mice may readily be 

 distinguished from meadow mice by their shorter and smoother fur, 

 their red-brown color, and their molelike habits. (See fig. 1.) 



MEADOW MICE. 



Meadow mice inhabit practically the whole of the Northern Hemi- 

 sphere — America, north of the Tropics; all of Europe, except Ireland; 



1 Genus Microtus. 2 Genus Pitymys. 



Note.— This bulletin describes the habits, geographic distribution, and methods of destroying meadow 

 mice and pine mice, and discusses the value of protecting their natural enemies among mammals, birds, 

 and reptiles. It is for general distribution. 

 90n2°— BuU. G70— 15 1 



