Optimizing vole trapping strategies in annual and perennial cropping systems

Project Overview

OW21-364
Project Type: Professional + Producer
Funds awarded in 2021: $74,364.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2024
Host Institution Award ID: G341-21-W8614
Grant Recipient: Oregon State University
Region: Western
State: Oregon
Principal Investigator:
Nick Andrews
Email
Oregon State University
Co-Investigators:
Dr. Dana Sanchez
Email
Oregon State University

Information Products

Commodities

  • Agronomic: grass (misc. perennial)
  • Nuts: hazelnuts
  • Vegetables: carrots

Practices

  • Education and Training: on-farm/ranch research
  • Pest Management: integrated pest management, traps

    Abstract:

    Farmers managing different cropping systems lack detailed research-based information about vole management strategies other than rodenticides. For the educational component, we are providing current information about integrated vole management strategies including predators, habitat management and trapping. Our research focusses on innovative trapping strategies in the winter to interrupt spring reproduction and exponential population growth. We are investigating trap site identification methods (canine assisted trapping and human visual cue detection). We hypothesize that canine assistance can increase trapping efficiency and efficacy, strengthening vole management. We also investigated burrow architecture with forced smoke.

    Synthetic rodenticides are hazardous to non-target wildlife, including threatened or endangered species. They can be effective tools but—like other pesticides—are best used as part of an integrated management approach. This project will provide new insight into vole behavior, tunnel architecture, and trapping strategies that will enhance vole management on organic and conventional farms.

    We will publish research findings in a peer-refereed journal, write a new Extension Publication on ecological vole management, and establish training guidelines for canine-assisted trapping. We will host on-farm field days and present our findings at farmer conferences. We are maintaining a project blog and writing newsletter articles to engage a wider audience.

    Current research-based information about ecological vole management is lacking for Oregon farmers. We hope this project will be the first of many to fill this gap.

    Project objectives:

    1. Investigate canine vole scent detection and trapping strategies
    2. Study vole burrow architecture and behavior
    3. Disseminate results and evaluate adoption and impact
    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.