Behavioral responses of voles along fences patrolled by natural predators

Abstract

In a two year field experiment in Switzerland we tested if vole barriers combined with traps was a suitable tool to protect meadows and orchards from vole damage. We used a special kind of vole live trap that could be opened by terrestrial predators to feed on the captured animals. The experiment was designed to compare fences with traps, fences without traps and control lines without fences or traps. Predators preferred to move along fences with traps, which has been presented elsewhere. Voles on the other hand showed a preference for control lines as a general pattern but clear effects were masked by other factors. In practice, however, self service traps will attract natural predators and can therefore enhance the effect of simple fences to stop invading voles.