Anzeiger für Schädlingskunde, Pflanzenschutz, Umweltschutz (1997) 70, 25-29

H. Niemeyer (1997)
Versuche zur giftfreien Bekämpfung von Wühlmäusen der Gattungen Microtus und Clethrionomys im Forst
[Field tests on rodenticide-free control of voles in forestry]
Anzeiger für Schädlingskunde, Pflanzenschutz, Umweltschutz 70 (2), 25-29
Abstract: A multiple-catch trap (a tub, like a mason's bucket e. g.) is described, the entrance-device of which has been developed by the Department of Forest Protection in the Lower Saxonian Forest Research Centre. The trap-tubs, in this experiment containing 3 entrances each at their bottom level, are to be placed in a square pattern of 30×30m or less on the ground of vole endangered forest regeneration areas including adjacent field vole habitats, in order to prevent field vole populations from developing to high damage causing densities.
The pending flap inside the square-shaped plastic entrance tube, made of thin metal bars, does'nt seem to be an obstacle for the vole and seduces it (even without a lure, simply driven by it's curiosity) to enter the tub from where the rodent will not be able to reopen the flap by it's front paws (as field voles are well able to do with other types of flaps), due to the special form of the newly developed flap.
A first field test to prove function and trapping efficiency resulted in a catch of 97 field voles per ha (including home range) within 4.5 months which is very high compared to the 100 field voles per ha reported to be the maximum density in Germany. Non-targets have not been trapped, longtailed mice belonging to a protected genus are able to leap easily out of the tub and even to open the pending flap from inside.
Voles will not survive after being trapped for more than a few hours, due to natural factors as undercooling (especially when fur is wettened) and/or shock, both of these factors assumed to cause less pain than being poisoned.
A second experiment at the same area during a bank vole gradation and with low field vole densities proved the tubs containing 3 entrances to catch 2.5 (field vole) resp. 2.9 (bank vole) times more voles than tubs with one entrance only.
Catches per ha were high again: field vole 43.3, bank vole 39.7 individuals-but without any experimental devices to prevent voles from filling up the emptied parts of the small trapping area.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: German)
Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general
pheromones/attractants/traps

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Microtus (genus)		Germany
	Myodes (genus)		Germany