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Location
Mount Berry, GA
Start Date
25-3-2013 12:00 AM
Description
The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of Milorganite® as a repellent to mitigate damage on impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) by domestic New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). This biosolid byproduct of an activated sludge processing technique has been suggested as a repellent for a number of species. Three, 4 m square pens were constructed with steel walls and subterranean wire to prevent escape. Two female and one male (2-3 kg) were housed in each pen and provided with shelter, water and 170 g per animal of a complete pellet ration daily. Three impatiens plants were placed in plastic planters (55 cm x 25 cm x 25 cm) with potting soil. Four planters were placed within a hole at respective corners of each pen, resulting in plants within 2.5 cm of being level with the ground. Two diagonal planters received topdressing of 2500 kg/ha or 0 kg/ha of Milorganite® . Changes in plant area as determined by digital photographs taken on day 0 and day 7 post-treatment were used as an indication of consumption. During the 21-day trial, new plants were treated and evaluated at 7-day interval. While plant areas were similar (P > .10) prior to treatment, area of control plants (17.2 ± 0.8) was lower (P < .05) than Milorganite® treated plants (21.2 ± 1.0). Differences in week (P < .001) were noted as a result of larger impatiens utilized during week 1 compared to remaining weeks. However, there was no treatment by week interaction (P > .10). No differences ((P > .10) were observed for treatment plant location, pen or technicians determining plant area. Results of this study indicate Milorganite® was effective in reducing damage to impatiens by domestic rabbits.
Recommended Citation
Mulder, A. T., Patsimas, M., Forbes, S., & Gallagher, G. R. (2013). The efficacy of Milorganite® as a repellent for rabbits. In Gallagher, G. R. & Armstrong, J. B. (Eds.), The Fifteenth Wildlife Damage Management Conference (pp. 138). Mount Berry, GA: Berry College.
Included in
The Efficacy of Milorganite® as a Repellent for Rabbits
Mount Berry, GA
The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of Milorganite® as a repellent to mitigate damage on impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) by domestic New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). This biosolid byproduct of an activated sludge processing technique has been suggested as a repellent for a number of species. Three, 4 m square pens were constructed with steel walls and subterranean wire to prevent escape. Two female and one male (2-3 kg) were housed in each pen and provided with shelter, water and 170 g per animal of a complete pellet ration daily. Three impatiens plants were placed in plastic planters (55 cm x 25 cm x 25 cm) with potting soil. Four planters were placed within a hole at respective corners of each pen, resulting in plants within 2.5 cm of being level with the ground. Two diagonal planters received topdressing of 2500 kg/ha or 0 kg/ha of Milorganite® . Changes in plant area as determined by digital photographs taken on day 0 and day 7 post-treatment were used as an indication of consumption. During the 21-day trial, new plants were treated and evaluated at 7-day interval. While plant areas were similar (P > .10) prior to treatment, area of control plants (17.2 ± 0.8) was lower (P < .05) than Milorganite® treated plants (21.2 ± 1.0). Differences in week (P < .001) were noted as a result of larger impatiens utilized during week 1 compared to remaining weeks. However, there was no treatment by week interaction (P > .10). No differences ((P > .10) were observed for treatment plant location, pen or technicians determining plant area. Results of this study indicate Milorganite® was effective in reducing damage to impatiens by domestic rabbits.