The Blight of the Rodents in the Blueberry Field

Because UBC Farm practices organic pest management methods, these are the only forms of control that will be discussed.  There are a few organic alternatives to rodent control which include trapping (Bratsch, 2009) and releasing elsewhere, preferentially to an environment more suitable to the pest to decreasechance of return. Another is creating fencerows which consists of uncultivated strips of land on each side and below a fence and may be beneficial for UBC Farm (Washington State University, 2012). The fences also act as a perch for these predators; setting high perches within the crop is another technique to encourage predators such as hawks (Bratsch, 2009). Coyotes are another predator for local rodents, and they are visibly present at UBC Farm.  Although the coyotes are great rodent hunters, they do not consider the health of the blueberry bushes, as there was a visibly large hole dug into a section of the mulch from a coyote chasing a rodent (Fish Creek Provincal Park, 2006).

Habitat reduction is key to reducing the rodent populations (Bratsch, 2009). Keeping the vegetation bordering the the blueberry patch mowed and clean is the best defense at the UBC Farm (OMAFRA, 2011).  As stated in the results section, the mulch selection will determine the attraction of rodents in the blueberry field.

The weed barrier seems to be an optimal sheltered area for the rodents to run freely amongst the blueberry bushes, therefore it is advised to consider removing the weed barrier.

References

Bratsch, A. (2009). Specialty Crop Profile: Blueberries. Virgina State University. Retrieved from http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/438/438-103/438-103.html on March 29, 2012.

Fish Creek Provincal Park. (2006). Park Notes. Retrieved from: http://www.albertaparks.ca/pubsandmedia/Fish%20Creek%20PP%20WEB_coyotes.pdf on April 8, 2012.

OMAFRA. (2011). Blueberries for Home Garden.  Retrieved from http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/90-046.htm on March 29, 2012.

Washington State University (2012). Integrated Pest Management for Blueberries.  Retrieved from http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/comhort/nooksack/ipmweb/blue/voles.html on March 29, 2012.