Rodents

Affected crops: Voles are polyphagous and feed on a wide range of agricultural products. They cause severe damage to winter cereals, perennial grasses, sugar beets, and potatoes. In horticultural settings, they often gnaw the bark of young fruit trees and shrubs during winter, leading to the death of the plants.

Biology and life cycle: The species is characterized by an extremely high reproductive rate. Under favorable conditions, females can produce several litters per year, with 5–10 pups each. The population can increase exponentially within a single growing season due to their short generation time and high fertility.

Nature of damage and economic impact: Voles live in complex burrow systems. They consume significant amounts of plant biomass, cut down stems, and destroy roots and seeds. Heavy infestations can lead to complete loss of crops in affected areas, forcing farmers to implement strict monitoring and control measures.

Protection measures: Management strategies rely on a combination of cultural and chemical controls to minimize damage:

• Deep plowing to destroy nesting sites and burrow systems.
• Removal of post-harvest crop residues to limit food sources.
• Application of rodenticides via bait stations or direct insertion into burrows.
• Promoting biodiversity by providing habitats for natural predators like owls and raptors.