Biological Plant-based Vole Control

Feb 19
2 min read

2023–2025

Repellent Crops and Strips for Practical On-Farm Use

THE CHALLENGE

Common vole outbreaks can cause severe crop losses, and during peak years farmers often fall back on rodenticides—despite restrictions and risks for non-target wildlife. We needed effective, field-ready alternatives that fit both organic and conventional systems and reduce reliance on chemical control.

WHAT WE DID

We tested plant-based repellency in real farm conditions and translated the results into a practical method farmers can actually implement. In the first year we screened farm-feasible repellent crops (including hemp, flax, sainfoin, sorghum, caraway, coriander, fennel, and others) and then selected sorghum as the most practical option for future on-farm use (availability, agronomy, scalability).

We then established repellent “barrier strips” (typically 20+ m wide) designed to slow vole movement from high-risk source habitats (perennial clovers/alfalfa, refuge areas) into vulnerable cash crops. This was combined with agronomic measures (crop rotation, cultivation/weed control that reduces habitat suitability) and biological regulation—especially supporting raptors like kestrels through nest boxes.

OUTCOMES & IMPACT

We delivered a field-tested method showing that repellent strips (notably sorghum, and also maize in strip designs) can form low-suitability corridors that reduce colonisation pressure from vole “source” areas into adjacent crops—especially when paired with diverse rotations and good agronomy.

A key practical takeaway is the combined strategy: diversified crop rotation + targeted agrotechnical steps + predator support can significantly reduce vole pressure during outbreak cycles (typically every 2–4 years).

On the biodiversity side, predator support is working: after the most recent monitoring, all installed kestrel boxes were occupied with eggs, strengthening on-farm biological control.

PARTNERS

Mendel University in Brno (MENDELU)
Palacký University in Olomouc
CARC, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague
Czech Organics
Ekofarma PROBIO
Agrochema

FUNDING

Supported by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TAČR) and the Ministry of the Environment (MŽP) under the “Prostředí pro život” programme
Co-financed via the National Recovery Plan (EU Recovery and Resilience Facility)

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