1973.9.7-10.11까지 우리나라에 있어서 농작물의 피해에 가장 크게 영향하는 쥐의 종류와 주요 서식처를 밝히고자 강원도와 경기도 일환을 대상으로 10개소의 논에 대하여 피해조사를 실시하였다. 조사결과 전체적으로는 1971년도 벼의 평균피경률 조생종 중만생종 보다 월등히 남은 조생종 및 중만생종 이었다. 그러나 대부분의 피해는 농가로부터 50m(간혹 l100m)이내에서 심하게 나타났고 피해의 원인이 되는 주요 쥐종류는 시궁쥐 (Rattus norvegicus Caraco)와 등줄쥐 (Apodemus agrarius)이었다. 1974. 4. 9-4.18까지 전국대표적인 지역을 순회하면서 농민과 농촌지도원을 대상으로 광범위한 여론을 수집한 바 우리나라에 있어서 쥐에 의한 농작물의 피해는 농촌부락에서 서식월동하는 쥐의 개체군에 밀접한 관련을 가지고 있음이 확인되었다.

A survey on rodent damage to ripening rice was conducted in Sep.-Oct. in 1973 in order to indentify the habitat type which has the greatest influence on rodent populations and damage problems. Total 109 paddies were examined in three geographical regions in central part of Korea including Kangwon and Kyoungki Provinces, which represents mountainous, coastal and rice plain lands. Sample paddies were selected according to the neighboring or surrounding habitats as farm villages, upland-crop fields, grassy river banks, forests and rice plains. Snap trapping was also conducted in each of habitats. In April, 1974, field trips were taken to representative parts of Korea visiting farmers and rural guidance officers involving more than 100 people for the information of existing local problems. The general damage of rice was considerably low in 1973 averaging in early ripening varieties and in standard varieties, white the average lost in 1971 was in early ripening varieties and in standard varieties. But the most of severe damages was occurred within 50 meters (practically none beyond 100m) of farm villages, caused mainly by Norway rat (Rattus rottfus Caraco) and striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius). The examples of existing local problems confirmed that the rodent damage to field crops is closely associated with rodent populations that have survived the winter in and around farm houses and buildings.

• 愼英茂