The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1908-12-24
MEADOW MICE.
Methods Of Destruction Recommended
BY Dept. Of Agriculture.

uuucTOuS Ill SOulc OI the dIIdlld ucIUS |
in this vicinity, is taken from a recent |
bulletin by the U. s. department OF
agriculture:
Many species of meadow mice in
habit the meadows and stream banks |
of the western mountain slopes; 9TH
ers, the moist land in the valleys; while |
still others choose dry fields or arid
sagebrush mesas In habits the var
ious species differ widely, but those
that occupy agricultural land are sure
to damage crops, and where sufficient
ly numerous, they become one Of the
most serious of mammal pests A re-
cent study Of destructive plague In
Humboldt Valley has thrown much light
on the practical methods available In
dealing with these rodents, and the
methods recommended for their des-
truction Will apply to most species OF
meadow mice.
The Carson meadow mouse, black
meadow mouse, field mouse, or bear
mouse is stout little animal about 5
inches long to the TAIL which is about
2 inches. The short ears are almost
hidden in the long, fluffy fur, and the
whole color often gives the effect of
dull black. Upon close examination
the upper parts are found to be dark
brownish or grayish and the under
parts and feet lighter shade OF gray.
| These little animals inhabit natural
| ly the marshes and tule-borders of the
lakes and streams, but as fast as the
country settles up push their way into
meadows and fields. They make their
homes in the ground wherever a sup
ply of food is found, and are particu-
larly fond of burrowing into the banks
of bitches. They take to the water
readily, are good swimmers and divers,
and therefore can not be drowned out
of irrigated fields, as many other small
rodents can. Flooding their burrows
causes them only temporary incOnven-
ience as they readily swim to the
nearest cover and return as soon as
the water disappears. They build
warm nests of grass under the cover
of fallen vegetation or in underground
burrows, where the young are pro-
duced and raised in comparative safe
ty. They are very prolific, breeding
several times a year and raising lit
tiers of to s young. Their food con-
sists mainly Of green vegetation, Of
which alfalfa and clovers are pre-
ferred to all else. They eat all kinds
of grain and seeds or growing vege-
tatoes, beets, and other root crops,
which they reach by burrowing along
the row from one plant to another.
Under normal conditions, when living
on wild grasses and plants and preyed
upon by host OF enemies, these mice
10 comparatively little damage. Under
other circumstances, however, with
L few enemies and an abundance OF rich
food, as alfalfa and cultivated crops
and under the protection Of dense veg
citation, they become so excessively
numerous as to completely destroy the
crops over wide areas. In certain al
falfa fields in the Humboldt valley in
1907 their numbers were estimated al
10000 to the acre. Here the alfalfa
was completely destroyed, even the
roots being eaten. AS consequence
not only was the crop Of the veal
ruined, but also the crop of the follow
ing year The loss was further in
creased by the expense of blowing ant
, reseeding the land Moreover, in win
ter, when other green food is scarce
these mice attack trees and bushes
eating the bark from fruit trees anG
even large cottonwoods until they ar.
completely girdled and killed.
After field mice have become numer
Gus any method Of destroying them i.
expensive They can readily be pois
oned, but this entails great expense TO-
poison, materials and labor Proven
tive measures are much less expensive
and far more effective.
1t should not be forgotten that thu
enormous increase of the mice Is large
ly due to the destruction of their ma
tural enemies-hawks, owls, gulls, her
ons, crows, ravens, magpies, shrikes
and such carnivorous mammals a.
coyotes, foxes, badgers, skunks ant
| weasels. Many species OF snakes als'
help materially to keep down thei
| numbers. AS far as possible these ma
tural enemies should be protected an
allowed free access to the fields an
open country. Weedy or grassy fenc
rows and border lines should be close
ly moved to give these Industrious al
lies of the farmer every advantage il
capturing the mice, and after each cut
ting Of crop they should be mad
welcome to the stubble fields.
Meadow mice do not hibernate, bu
are busy throughout the year, an
about equally active during the da
and night. Fortunately however, the
] do not continue to bread during tn
winter months, and by energetic mea
. sures their numbers can be SO reduce
before the next breeding season tha
there will be little danger to the fol
lowing crop. II undiminished number
left over winter to begin breeding /
the spring, the crop for that seaso
Is doomed.
Directions for Polsoning.-Wher
mice are increasing it may be neces
sary to resort to summer pOisonin
with a preparation Of strychnine an
wheat, or barley distributed around til
borders of the fields; but the white
or from November to April, whe
green food 10 scarce, the most e1ectiv
time of year for destroying then
Piper has found that then they may
5 poisoned most effectively and econt
mically with preparation OF choppe
. alfalfa and strychnine prepared 40 TO
lows:
Dissolve / ounce Of strychnia "a
phate in 2 quarts OF hot water, the
add 81 gallons of water. Sprinkle tn