Vole Damage Control in Forest Plantations

The effects of five treatments (mowing with broadcast baiting, mowing with hand baiting, hand baiting with no mowing, herbicide, and untreated control) on vole population and damage to forest plantations were evaluated. All treatments caused reductions in vole feeding, as well as reduced seedling damage and potential seedling mortality. This study shows the practical importance of monitoring planting sites for vole populations in the fall prior to and after planting and suggests an immediate control of high and severe vole population ratings with rodenticide with or without mowing to minimize potential seedling mortality.