Leporidae

Leporidae species target a wide range of crops, including winter cereals, legumes, and various vegetables. In orchard settings, they pose a severe threat during winter months by stripping bark from the trunks of young trees, which often leads to the death of the plants or provides entry points for diseases.

The biology of Leporidae is marked by high reproductive potential. Females are capable of producing multiple litters within a single breeding season. This rapid population growth allows them to colonize new areas quickly and recover from population drops, making continuous management a necessity for farmers.

Damage caused by these animals is often irreversible. In fields, they consume crops at early growth stages, leading to significant thinning of stands. In perennial plantings, the removal of bark prevents nutrient flow, causing the total loss of valuable fruit trees. Their feeding habits also lead to increased susceptibility to secondary fungal and insect infestations.

Effective management strategies focus on exclusion and deterrence to protect high-value crops. Standard practices include:

• Installing wire mesh fences to physically exclude animals from fields and orchards.
• Applying physical barriers such as tree wraps or guards around the trunks of vulnerable saplings.
• Utilizing chemical repellents with strong odors or tastes that deter feeding.
• Deploying acoustic or visual deterrent devices in areas with high pest activity.
• Removing brush and tall grass to eliminate hiding spots for these animals near crop zones.