Deer Mouse Consumption of Bitterbrush Seed Treated with Four Repellents

Abstract

Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) seeds were treated with one of four repellents-Mestranol, R55, Red Squill, or Alphanaphthylthiourea (ANTU)-and offered to caged deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). ANTU reduced deer mouse consumption of bitterbrush seed the most (up to 90%) and was not toxic to germinating seed. Deer mice consumed even less ANTU treated seed when seed was first soaked in a 3% thiourea solution to hasten germination. Although ANTU did not reduce seed consumption of treated bitterbrush seed (mean was roughly 55 seed consumed/mouse/night) as much as 0.5% or 1% Endrin (mean was roughly 35-29 seed consumed/mice/night), this may not be relevant as Endrin is banned in Canada and subject to severe use restrictions on federal lands in the United States.