Developing a plant-based vole repellent: screening of ten candidate species

Curtis, Paul D.; Rowland, Elizabeth D.; Good, George L.

doi:10.1016/s0261-2194(01)00101-6

Cited by 21 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…common vole, field vole), the densities reached and the damage they can cause to vegetable crops and fruit trees may often require an appropriate control strategy. Many studies have been carried out worldwide to identify the best methods to manage vole populations, such as tunnel fumigation, use of repellents in both agriculture and forestry, use of natural predators, parasites and pathogens, diversionary feeding and barriers and fences . However, rodenticides and traps are still the most used techniques .…”

Section: Savi's Pine Volementioning

confidence: 99%

From biology to management of Savi's pine vole (Microtus savii)

Ranchelli

Barfknecht

Capizzi³

et al. 2016

Pest Management Science

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Savi's pine vole (Microtus savii) is a rodent species of the Cricetidae family, inhabiting southern European agroecosystems. It is considered to be the main cause of rodent-attributed damage in Italy. To achieve an effective management, detailed knowledge of this species is needed. However, the available information about this species is fragmentary and incomplete. In this paper, the existing knowledge of Savi's pine vole taxonomy, reproduction, population dynamics, habitat and food preferences is reviewed in order to organise available information and identify priority areas of future research. Some of the changes in farming practices that have occurred in recent decades may have increased the impact of Savi's pine vole populations in crop fields. To manage this pest species effectively, an integrated strategy is recommended (involving habitat management, trapping and, when appropriate, the use of rodenticides). The apparent lack of cyclical population outbreaks and the relatively small litter size and long gestation and interpartum period of this species suggest that it could be more manageable than other vole species, while its strict herbivorous diet, stable population size in open habitats and wide distribution seem to indicate it as an ideal model species for risk assessment studies.

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Section: Savi's Pine Volementioning

confidence: 99%

From biology to management of Savi's pine vole (Microtus savii)

Ranchelli

Barfknecht

Capizzi³

et al. 2016

Pest Management Science

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“…As for possums, the internet has many accounts, recipes and patents relating to the supposed efficacy of garlic as a rodent repellent, but experimental evidence is again lacking. Curtis et al (2002) tested prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) with ground-up garlic stems added to apple sauce at 14%, 25%, and 50% in one-choice feeding trials. Of the 12 species of plants tested for repellency, garlic ranked 7/12 at 14%, 10/12 at 25%, and 10/12 at 50%.…”

Section: Garlic Oilmentioning

confidence: 99%

Repellents with potential to protect kea and other native birds from aerial poisoning for possum and rat control

Cowan¹,

Booth²,

Crowell³

2016

NZ J Ecol

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Concern about non-target risks to native birds, particularly kea (Nestor notabilis), from aerial poisoning has prompted the evaluation of potential repellent compounds that could be incorporated into the cereal pellet bait used for possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and rat (Rattus spp.) control. Initial trials of d-pulegone and anthraquinone were not wholly successful, with the former having poor stability in bait and the latter reducing bait uptake by rats. While research to stabilise d-pulegone in bait remains an option, a review of alternative compounds was undertaken to assist with decision-making about future directions for research, including consideration of possible formulation issues and cost. Most of the information reviewed related to use of repellents for crop protection where the aim is to reduce economic loss rather than prevent feeding on the crop, whereas preventing feeding is the primary aim for native bird protection. A further constraint was the lack of information for many compounds on response of rodents and possums. Cinnamamide, tannic acid, caffeine, garlic oil, ortho-aminoacetophenone, and thiram were identified as possible candidates and evaluated in relation to their potential to repel native birds from eating cereal baits without affecting efficacy for possums and rats. Cinnamamide, caffeine, and thiram, while effective as bird repellents, are likely to be repellent to rats at concentrations suitable for use with native birds, including kea. The little information found suggested that garlic oil was repellent to birds; it has not been formally tested on possums and rats, but anecdotal evidence did not suggest strong aversion. Ortho-aminoacetophenone appears effective as a bird repellent, but its repellency for possums and rats requires clarification. Tannic acid has some efficacy as a bird repellent, and is not repellent to possums and rats at lower concentrations. It is not clear if tannic acid exerts its effect solely as a primary repellent or whether it also has secondary repellent effects. In order from most to least promising, tannic acid, ortho-aminoacetophenone, and garlic oil are worthy of further investigation. Because each compound has demonstrated some efficacy as a bird repellent, initial testing should focus on screening against possums and rats.

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“…There is a wide array of secondary plant metabolites that act as anti-feedants to mammals (reviewed by Hansen et al 2016a). Although repellents have sometimes shown promise in lab studies (e.g., Salatti et al 1995;Witmer et al 2000;Curtis et al 2002;Hansen et al 2015Hansen et al , 2016b, repellents have often failed to prove highly effective in field trials (Merwin et al 1999;Hansen et al 2016a). Specific reasons for failure are generally unknown, but are likely related to the availability of cover and food sources, and a need for frequent re-application of volatile compounds or washing away following rainfall and irrigation events (Merkens et al 1991;Mason 1998;Conover 2002;Hansen et al 2016a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The elusive search for an effective repellent against voles: an assessment of anthraquinone for citrus crops

Baldwin

Meinerz

Witmer³

et al. 2018

J Pest Sci

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Vole (Cricetidae) girdling of tree trunks is a common form of damage experienced by tree and vine growers throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere. Management programs that effectively incorporate chemical repellents and vegetation management would be of substantial assistance to growers that experience such damage. Anthraquinone has proven effective as a repellent against voles in lab trials, yet controlled field tests of combined anthraquinone and vegetation management programs are lacking. Therefore, we established a mesocosm-based study in central California, USA, to test the efficacy of anthraquinone and vegetation management for reducing girdling damage caused by California voles Microtus californicus to Clementine citrus trees Citrus clementine under semi-field conditions. We observed a 90-100% reduction in girdling damage for trees following a single application of anthraquinone during two trials in summer and spring, respectively. Removal of vegetation around the base of trees further reduced damage during the summer sampling period, with no girdling observed on anthraquinone-treated trees that were surrounded by bare soil. We did not observe this same relationship during spring, and we observed no relationship between vegetation management in the absence of anthraquinone treatments in either seasonal trial, suggesting that vegetation management had a lesser impact on vole girdling than anthraquinone applications. We observed no decrease in efficacy of anthraquinone across the duration of both sampling periods (5-6 weeks), indicating substantial longevity for anthraquinone. Anthraquinone appears to have substantial utility for minimizing vole girdling damage. Field testing is warranted for additional mammalian species to determine potential uses for other taxa.

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Developing a plant-based vole repellent: screening of ten candidate species

Cited by 21 publications

References 26 publications

From biology to management of Savi's pine vole (Microtus savii)

From biology to management of Savi's pine vole (Microtus savii)

Repellents with potential to protect kea and other native birds from aerial poisoning for possum and rat control

The elusive search for an effective repellent against voles: an assessment of anthraquinone for citrus crops

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