Vole damage to berry crops can cause significant costs to a grower if the damage occurs on well-established productive plants. The application of rodenticides can be an effective tool to combat vole damage, however, there is evidence that this has unintended consequences to non-target raptors and other wildlife. Most farmers are aware of the risk rodenticides present to non-target wildlife, but feel they are left with little other choice due to lack of effective alternatives. We are currently assessing the feasibility of a non-chemical, instant kill, self-resetting rodent control method as an alternative to rodenticides. This approach could give berry farmers the opportunity to control voles and simultaneously attract barn owls and other vole-hunting raptors.
Field vole (Microtus Townsendii) Photo Credit: Sean McCann
We are currently assessing whether the Goodnature© bolt trap designed for rats can be modified and used for controlling voles in berry fields.
We are currently assessing whether the Goodnature© bolt trap designed for rats can be modified and used for controlling voles in berry fields.
Vole identification and damage in blueberry fields
Identifying the rodents in your field is an important first step when you are finding rodent tunnels in your berry mounds. Our cameras monitoring rodents in berry fields detect deer mice six times more than voles. Deer mice do not cause damage to your bushes as they do not girdle the roots. Check footage showing a vole eating grass versus a field mouse.
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Barn owls: A pest management ally for blueberry farmers
Barn owls diet consist of 75-80% field voles, and a pair of barn owls can eat 1200 or more small mammals each year. This makes barn owl an excellent ally in an integrated pest management approach when controlling voles in your field. The practice of using barn owls to control rodents in fields has been widely adopted by vineyard owners in California and farmers in Israel. Check out this batch of young owlets in a barn owl nest box in a blueberry field. |
Best practices rodenticide use in blueberry fields
Rodenticides should only be used as a last resort in a targeted and efficient manner. Ensure you are using the correct rodenticide product that is permitted to be used outside in fields as per the new Health Canada use restrictions for commercial class rodenticides in agricultural settings.
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