University of California Cooperative Extension Tulare County Vole Management in Citrus Vole Management Voles are also known as Meadow Mice Five species in California Two species known to cause damage ID: 220480
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Neil O’ConnellUniversity of CaliforniaCooperative ExtensionTulare CountySlide2
Vole Management in CitrusSlide3Slide4
Vole ManagementVoles are also known as Meadow MiceFive species in CaliforniaTwo species known to cause damage Microtus
californicus
,
M.montanusSlide5
Vole DamageDamage from voles: Permanent pasture,alfalfa hay,various
vegetable crops,
grains,nursery
stock,apple,avocado,citrus,cherry,olives
.Slide6
Damage from Vole Feeding Slide7
Vole HabitatMicrotus are often found where there is grass coverVoles establish “runs or trails” in the coverVoles are active all year longSlide8Slide9
Vole ActivityVoles are chiefly nocturnal-active at night; may forage at any time of day or nightSlide10
Vole HabitsVoles are usually found in coloniesVole colonies usually associated with 2 inch wide runways through the grassSigns of vole presence usually marked by small brown fecal pellets and pieces of grass along runwaysSlide11
Vole Runway With BurrowSlide12
Vole Colonies Mice may feed beyond runways They feed on roots,seeds,succulent stems, and leaves Slide13Slide14
Vole BurrowSlide15
Vole BurrowsBurrows are made up of extensive tunnels,nest chambers and storage chambers.Tunnels are extensive and shallow
This may limit the effectiveness of some treatmentsSlide16
Vole Colony With BurrowsSlide17
Vole ReproductionFemale Microtus may produce 5-10 litters per year with an average of 4 young per litter.Breeding coincides with growth of foragePeak populations occur every 3-4 years followed by a rapid decline
Declines result from lack of forage, disease,
overcrowding,predators
Predators include
coyotes,owls
, snakesSlide18
Predator ActivityPredators are not able to prevent or control rapid buildup of vole populationsSlide19
Vole PresencePermanent habitat is along roadsides, ditch banks, or adjacent to cultivated cropsInvasion into cultivated crops results when permanent habitat not favorable or population of voles is increasingSlide20Slide21
Additional Habitat for VolesPlastic ground cover provides cover for volesFeeding damage may go unnoticedSlide22
Burrow Under TarpSlide23Slide24
Vole ManagementMeadow mice are classified as non- game mammals by California Fish and Game DepartmentNon- game animals injuring a crop may be taken at any time, by any means by owner or managerSlide25
Vole ManagementReduce ground coverUse of toxic baitsSlide26
Vole ManagementToxic bait- carrier is often oats or wheat with a toxicantSlide27
Toxic BaitsPrimary toxicants used: zinc phosphide, diphacinone, chlorophacinone
Agricultural commissioner’s office(
Tulare,Kings,Fresno
counties) have baits-check with them if they have a bait for use in citrus for management of volesSlide28
Vole Damage-Trunk GirdledSlide29
Vole Damage-Roots and TrunkSlide30
Watch for Burrows in the OrchardSlide31