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Implementation of barrier systems to prevent vole damage in organic pomiculture

Project


Project code: 02OE108/F
Contract period: 01.03.2004 - 31.12.2006
Budget: 149,311 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research

Water voles (Arvicola terrestris) and Common voles (Microtus arvalis) cause substantial damage in organic fruit growing by gnawing on bark and roots of trees. Drift fences can prevent the permanent immigration of voles into vulnerable organic fruit orchards. They consist of wire mesh that reaches 50 cm below and 40 cm above ground. Between April 2004 and December 2006 an efficient procedure for the installation and use of drift fences was developed and tested in organic orchards at different study sites. In the field experiments the drift fences interrupted the immigration of voles almost completely. However, in one orchard the drift fence was repeatedly undermined by European moles (Talpa europaea). This orchard differed from the other by soil structure, age and existing wide-stretched tunnel systems. Trials to remove inhabited sections of the tunnel systems by repeated milling and rolling of the soil along the drift fence showed no continuing effect. Results of laboratory and enclosure experiments showed that drift fences, which were bent to the outside at their lower end, provided additional protection against undermining moles and voles. At the current stage of development, drift fences are not a stand alone method and should be combined with traditional control methods like trapping to achieve efficient protection of organic orchards over long periods.

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