Explosion system against voles
Characterization of the technique
Description of the technique:
Information originally from the Guide for the design of fruit production systems economical in phytosanitary products (2014) / Technical sheet no. 21 – For more information See link
Principle:
Physical control method consisting of injecting into the soil a mixture of oxygen and propane to trigger a shock wave which will both cause the death of rodents and the collapse of the galleries. This method can be used for rapid treatment of large areas.
Example of implementation:
Example of application:
First, it is important to identify signs of activity (burrows, holes, scratching, mounds) to locate galleries. Then, it is advisable to treat the periphery of a hotspot first and finish with the center (but intervene along the entire length of the gallery). The device (Gas lance) allows the destruction of burrows by collapsing the gallery system. The gas mixture is composed of 'propane (2%) and compressed oxygen (98%)'. This propane and oxygen mixture, at a measured constant pressure, penetrates the gallery system. Once combustion is triggered by a spark, a shock wave results that travels along the entire gallery system. This force triggered by the shock wave is sufficient to collapse the gallery system and kill the vole population present.
- The effectiveness levels measured in trials conducted in meadows and orchards average 50% and largely depend on the amount of gas mixture injected into the galleries and the grid layout of the terrain.
Details on the technique:
This technique represents a complementary lever to control voles (limited effectiveness allowing only to maintain population levels). Therefore, it is recommended to combine this method with other alternative techniques such as mechanical trapping, exclusion or protection fencing, development of agroecological infrastructures to promote predation, soil tillage to destroy galleries, the choice of a more tolerant rootstock to attacks, and prophylactic measures in the orchard.
Beware of all fallow areas and certain crops (e.g. legumes) as they can promote the development of the vole.
This explosion system can compensate for the lack of predation under hail nets and alt’carpo nets.
Do not treat the gallery leading to the mound, it is an earth evacuation zone and is often blocked if the mound is not fresh.
Wear hearing protection, helmet, goggles.
Observe safety rules related to the use of an explosive process.
Implementation period
On established crop
Spatial scale of implementation
Plot
Farm
It is important to engage in a collective control approach* and in combination with other control methods to limit pressure around the plot. However, this technique offers the possibility of isolated or individual control (if no defense group).
- Collective control is organized under the aegis of a sanitary organization (OVS) for the plant sector: Fredon (Regional Federation of Defense Groups against Harmful Organisms)
Application of the technique to...
All crops:
Easily generalizable in arboriculture
All soil types:
Easily generalizable However, at the time of intervention, moist and untilled soil conditions are important for better effectiveness.
Regulation
In view of EU regulation 1107/2009, the Rodenator® due to its mode of action (physical shock wave generated by the device), is not within the regulatory scope of the marketing authorization (AMM).
Effects on the sustainability of the cropping system
"Environmental" criteria
Effect on air quality:
Increasing
Phytosanitary emissions: DECREASE
Effect on water quality:
Increasing
Pesticides: DECREASE
Other:
No effect (neutral)
Comments
Other effects induced on the environment:
- Noise pollution for wildlife and residents
- Disturbance for underground predators
- Risk of fire in summer if conditions are favorable (however, the risk is reduced in orchards because the density of dry grass is often low, in which case the ignition can only concern a small area).
"Agronomic" criteria
Production quality:
No effect (neutral)
Functional biodiversity:
Decreasing Destruction of soil fauna
"Economic" criteria
Operational costs:
Increasing Significant cost in labor and gas (about €80/cylinder per day) - Investment cost: €2,500 - Cost depending on infestation level and areas requiring use: €300 - €1,600/ha
"Social" criteria
Working time:
Increasing Working time:
- 40 h/ha on heavily infested plot
- 20 h/ha if moderately infested plot
- 8 h/ha for maintenance
The number of passes depends on the infestation level.
Peak period:
Variable The method is adaptable depending on pest pressure and applicable on large orchard areas. However, several passes per year are needed (minimum two).
Observation time:
Increasing Observations of vole activity signs (galleries, new mounds…)
For more information
- Alternative control methods against the Provence vole. Tronel C., Bouniol M. CTIFL, Technical brochure, 2013 Infos-Ctifl, 295, 32-35
Keywords
Bioaggressor control method:
Physical control
Mode of action:
Catch-up
Type of strategy regarding pesticide use:
Substitution
Annexes
S'applique aux cultures suivantes
Défavorise les bioagresseurs suivants
