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 The 250 pounds of tension on the wires ensure good
contact with deer for shocking power. The high-voltage,
low-impedance energizer does not ground out easily on
vegetation and provides sufficient voltage to turn deer
away. These fences will last a least 30 to 40 years.
Decision To Fence.The decision to fence depends
upon the number of deer, the feeding pressure on your
orchard, and the capital costs involved. Other types of
deer fencing are also being experimented with in the
private sector. A number of excellent publications
describing the procedure for installation are available by
contacting your local county agricultural agent.
Repellent Sprays.Many growers have had limited
success with the numerous deer repellents on the market.
Deer pressure must be low to obtain maximum results.
Research at Pennsylvania State University, conducted by
Dr. Bruce Palmer, has shown BGR, BIG GAME DEER
REPELLENT, to be the only statistically effective
repellent. This material is effective but it must be
reapplied after rainfall throughout the year and is
expensive to use.
Human Hair.Odorous human hair has been
effective in repelling deer. Small bags of cheesecloth or
similar porous material are filled with hair. One bag is
placed in each young tree, or on a secure stake placed by
the tree, if the tree is too weak to support the bag. Human
hair is effective for 6 to 8 weeks and then must be
replaced. Hair can be collected from local barbers or
beauticians.
Deodorant Soap.Some New Jersey growers have
used deodorant soap with success, which can be found in
any grocery store. A motel size bar of soap with a hole
drilled through the middle can be tied to each tree or stake
at each tree. Keep the soap bar wrapper on in order to
slow down deterioration. Soap can last longer than
odorous human hair and be equally effective if rainfall is
not excessive. All of the solid repellants can have their
useful life extended by stringing them through an inverted
paper cup. Positioning them within the inverted cup
provides shelter from rainfall.
Thiram.A fungicide used to control many diseases
of apples, including apple scab, it is also effective as a
deer repellent in the spring and summer months. In fact,
it is the active ingredient in many deer repellents.
Thiram can be utilized in your spray program, in
combination with other fungicides, for effective deer
control during the growing season, especially when
combined with a spreader-sticker.
There is no one method for controlling deer in every
situation. Each grower's condition is unique. A
combination of controls will be the most effective.
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Damage to bark and roots of fruit trees by native
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voles causes serious economic loss to fruit growers and
other tree owners. The best results in orchard vole damage
control result from an integrated management approach
including cultural modifications, exclusion, and
population reduction.
It is important to determine which species of vole
occurs in your orchard. Damage and effective control
techniques vary depending on the species. Meadow vole
damage is usually in the form of gnawing on the bark at
the base of the tree, and is evidenced by sprouts and
suckers emerging from the base. Meadow voles construct
surface runways that are 1.5-2" wide that occur throughout
the orchard. In comparison, pine vole damage is in the
form of root girdling, which often goes unnoticed until
severe damage has already occurred and the tree is in rapid
decline. Pine voles construct burrows that run 1-2" below
ground surface within the drip line of the tree.
Broadcasting bait across the orchard floor is not
permitted for vole control in New Jersey to avoid injury
to non-target species. Hand placement of baits directly in
runways and burrow openings within the tree drip line is
more effective for pine vole control since their activities
are largely confined to their subterranean burrows. Since
pine voles cache food and meadow voles do not, pine
voles can be more susceptible to bait that require repeated
intake, such as anticoagulants. The two voles' food
preferences also affect their control. Meadow voles will
feed on dry baits such as corn and oats, whereas pine
voles prefer fleshy baits such as apples.
To determine the need for control, the most
appropriate control technique, and to evaluate the
techniques' effectiveness, pre- and post-treatment surveys
are required. Pine and meadow vole control is required if
reduced yield and declining tree vigor are noted. Vole
activity is associated with basal sprouting and the
presence of underground pine vole burrows and/or
meadow vole surface runways. Determine the species of
vole present by observing the type of burrows or runways
in the orchard. Trap a few voles using standard or box-
type (live) mousetraps. Meadow voles, also called
meadow mice, have large eyes and ears, and the tail is
more than twice as long as the hind foot. Pine voles are
smaller, have small eyes and inconspicuous ears. The tail
is about the same length as the hind foot.
To evaluate an orchard treatment, growers may place
a 1-inch apple slice in an active vole run at a density of
one every 20 to 40 trees, prior to treatment. Twenty-four
hours after placement, the apple should be checked for
vole activity. The percentage of apples visited gives an
estimate of trees that could be damaged. After the orchard
is treated, a second 24-hour check (after a 30-day interval
and using new apples) for activity can reflect the degree of
control achieved. It is useful to mark the original location
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