A NEW SYSTEM TO CONTROL FIELD VOLES (MICROTUS-AGRESTIS L) IN NORTH GERMAN FORESTRY

During autumn Field vole populations migrated from grassy areas under old trees to adjacent grassy afforestations without old trees. Thus, d amage by voles in young trees was economically negligible in the first named habitat. Snap-trap catches in August or September proved to be a n uneffective tool for prediction of population development within the next 2 month. Thus, bait containers on all really endangered areas sh ould be baited each winter (regardless of vole density censuses) to pr event Field vole populations from developing high hazardous densities. The delay in effectiveness typical for the bait container technique u sual hitherto can be shortened significantly when voles are allowed to get accustomed to unclosed and unbaitended containers during summer. For more details see summary.