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Location
Saratoga Springs, NY
Start Date
4-5-2009 12:00 AM
Description
Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) can cause extensive damage to nursery and orchard plantings when food is scarce. Historically, significant research has been devoted to managing vole populations in agricultural or horticultural settings. Restoration of a former New York City municipal landfill to a native ecosystem has been hampered due to expanding vole populations. Due to location and sensitivity of the site, traditional methods of managing vole populations were restricted. In the fall of 2008 zinc phosphide-treated oats were applied to the site using PVC bait stations. Snap-trapping efforts indicate that the use of bait stations and zinc phosphide grain baits can greatly reduce vole populations in urban environments. Follow-up applications of diphacinone bait will be applied in the winter of 2008-2009. Results from the diphacinone treatment as well as additional management efforts will be presented.
Recommended Citation
Collins, R., Humberg, L., Witmer, G., Forgione, H., & McLaughlin, J. (2009). Managing meadow vole damage on a natural area restoration site. In Boulanger, J. (Ed.), The Thirteenth Wildlife Damage Management Conference (259-260). Saratoga Springs, NY: Thirteenth WDM Conference.
Included in
Managing Meadow Vole Damage on a Natural Area Restoration Site
Saratoga Springs, NY
Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) can cause extensive damage to nursery and orchard plantings when food is scarce. Historically, significant research has been devoted to managing vole populations in agricultural or horticultural settings. Restoration of a former New York City municipal landfill to a native ecosystem has been hampered due to expanding vole populations. Due to location and sensitivity of the site, traditional methods of managing vole populations were restricted. In the fall of 2008 zinc phosphide-treated oats were applied to the site using PVC bait stations. Snap-trapping efforts indicate that the use of bait stations and zinc phosphide grain baits can greatly reduce vole populations in urban environments. Follow-up applications of diphacinone bait will be applied in the winter of 2008-2009. Results from the diphacinone treatment as well as additional management efforts will be presented.