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Biological Plant-based Vole Control

  • 19. 2.
  • Minut čtení: 2

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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