Olfactory misinformation reduces wheat seed loss caused by rodent pests

Abstract

Alternatives to pesticides are urgently needed to meet sustainable agriculture goals but few options are available for many systems. Here we test how a form of olfactory misinformation on a newly sown wheat crop can prevent wild house mice (Mus musculus) from finding buried seeds. Our misinformation tactic, odour camouflage, reduced seed loss by >63%, providing a simple, non-lethal and ethical way to reduce seed damage and avoid rodenticide use.