Gerbils are gearing up
for the grain season
W
ith the grain planting season on
hand, farmers have to be aware
of the imminent threat posed by
gerbils to newly planted crops.
Gerbils are a menace to grain farmers and
may cause serious crop damage by digging
up planted seed or eating germinating seed. It
is still early days and if a properly structured
integrated gerbil management programme
is implemented the potential damage can
be nullified. Natural enemies such as owls
and diurnal raptors play a significant role in
gerbil management, but are often struck from
duty by the irresponsible use of pesticides
and rodenticides. CropLife South Africa urges
grain farmers to download and follow the
gerbil management programme on http://
croplife.co.za/images/Gerbil_management_
October_2018.pdf and to refrain from using
any pesticides off-label to control gerbils.
Dr Gerhard Verdoorn
CropLife SA
the gerbil management plan must be placed in
bait stations or in gerbil burrows as explained
in the plan. Scattering rodenticides onto the
soil surface is not only illegal but ineffective
and poses a severe risk for biodiversity.
We also encourage grain farmers to attract
owls and diurnal raptors to assist with gerbil
control – this is all explained in detail in
the management plan. Scouting is a very
important part of the management plan and
farmers are encouraged to check hedgerows
for burrows and gerbil droppings. Once found,
it should trigger the implementation of the
management plan.
For any particular advice call Dr Gerhard
Verdoorn at CropLife SA on 082 446 8946 or
email him at [email protected].
Any of the registered rodenticides as listed in
AgriKultuur |AgriCulture
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