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OH-FINENews

Muñovela Experimental Farm hosts a demonstration on controlling field voles using predators

Farmers and environmental experts gathered at the Muñovela Experimental Farm to explore a sustainable approach to addressing damaging field vole outbreaks. The workshop combined expert insights with a hands-on demonstration of installing nest boxes for barn owls, little owls and kestrels—natural predators that offer an effective alternative to poison. The event is part of the European OH-FINE project, which promotes shared knowledge and eco-friendly pest control across nine countries.

Visitors in a green field watching a demonstration

Workshop on vole control in Muñovela (Photo credit: IRNASA-CSIC).

Last Friday, 20 March, the Muñovela Experimental Farm of the Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Salamanca (IRNASA-CSIC) hosted the workshop 'Biological Control of the Common Vole'. This event brought together around thirty people, including farmers, environmental officers and organisers.

About the event

The event began with an informative talk by Lorena Hernández Garavís, a technician from GREFA (Group for the Rehabilitation of Native Fauna and its Habitat). This was followed by a field demonstration, involving the installation of four nest boxes for predators, both diurnal and nocturnal, specifically: barn owls, little owls and kestrels.

Through its Biological Vole Control Project, GREFA has extensive experience in seeking solutions to the problem caused by this rodent in Castile and León, which inflicts serious damage on farms when populations become overpopulated. The traditional use of poison has proven to be of limited effectiveness against this pest and has serious side effects for other species, such as birds of prey. For this reason, control through natural predators is emerging as the most effective solution with the least impact on the environment.

Event background

The event, initially scheduled for 6 March, had to be postponed due to weather conditions. This activity forms part of the European OH-FINE project, which is coordinated by IRNASA-CSIC and funded by the European Union (call HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01) and by SERI (Swiss Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation). Nine European countries are participating in this initiative with the aim of creating a European network where organic farmers can share experiences and knowledge. The event, initially scheduled for 6 March, had to be postponed due to weather conditions. This activity forms part of the European OH-FINE project, which is coordinated by IRNASA-CSIC and funded by the European Union (call HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01) and by SERI (Swiss Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation). Nine European countries are participating in this initiative with the aim of creating a European network in which organic farmers can share experiences and knowledge.

Further Information 

Read the full article about the event here (in Spanish). 

This event was organised by IRNASA-CSIC.

Contacts 

 

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