A minor spread of rodent pests continues across crop fields in Ukraine

A minor settlement of rodent pests is currently ongoing across 6-55% of surveyed areas of winter cereal crops and rapeseed in all natural and climatic zones of Ukraine. According to the weekly phytosanitary report by the State ProdConsumer Service, specialists are recording populations ranging from isolated burrows up to 1-2 colonies per hectare.

In perennial grasses, wasteland, shelterbelts, and unplowed lands, counts show between 1-3 and a maximum of 4-6 active colonies per hectare. The highest numbers are registered in Volyn, Zakarpattia, Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, and Cherkasy regions. In the Steppe zone, unplowed fields following the harvest of corn, sunflower, and cereal grains are being populated by the mound-building mouse at a density of 2 mounds per hectare.

Experts warn that the threat of damage to winter crops, perennial grasses, and plantations will persist everywhere. Implementing a system of preventive measures plays a vital role in reducing the population of rodent pests, particularly voles.

Primary control and elimination are achieved through timely and high-quality moldboard plowing, which destroys burrows and eliminates the food supply. This mechanical intervention kills or injures about one-third of adult rodents and all juveniles.

The presence of 3-5 or more active colonies per hectare of crops indicates a severe threat of plant damage. Farmers are advised to protect their fields through the timely and targeted application of rodenticides when thresholds are exceeded.