Effectiveness of odour repellents on red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus): a field test
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Published source details
Elmeros M., Winbladh J.K., Andersen P.N., Madsen A.B. & Christensen J.T. (2011) Effectiveness of odour repellents on red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus): a field test. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 57, 1223-1226.
Published source details Elmeros M., Winbladh J.K., Andersen P.N., Madsen A.B. & Christensen J.T. (2011) Effectiveness of odour repellents on red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus): a field test. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 57, 1223-1226.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Use chemical repellents along roads or railways Action Link |
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Use chemical repellents along roads or railways
A replicated, controlled, before-and-after study in 2006 in a conifer plantation in Denmark (Elmeros et al. 2011) found that repellents, Mota FL and Wolf Urine (trialled for potential to deter animals from roads), did not reduce visits by deer. Roe deer Capreolus capreolus visited a similar number of Moto FL-treated plots after application (6–8 plots/day) and before (4–8 plots/day). Visit rates to untreated plots were similar after application in treatment plots (7–8 plots/day) compared to before (5–8 plots/day). The same pattern held for red deer Cervus elaphus treatment plots (after: 1–3 plots/day); before: 0–4 plots/day) and untreated plots (after: 2–4 plots/day; before: 0–3 plots/day). Roe deer visited a similar number of Wolf Urine-treated plots after application (7–9 plots/day) and before (7–9 plots/day). Visit rates to untreated plots were similar after application in treatment plots (6–9 plots/day) compared to before (6–9 plots/day). The same pattern held for red deer treatment plots (after: 1–4 plots/day; before: 1–3 plots/day) and untreated plots (after: 0–4 plots/day; before: 0–4 plots/day). Eighteen sand arenas (4 m diameter, ≥400 m apart) included nine for repellent treatments and nine controls. Arenas were baited with beet and maize every 3–4 days or as required, for two months. Deer tracks were monitored daily for seven days before repellent was sponged onto four scent posts at each treatment arena. Track monitoring continued for seven further days. Mota FL was assessed from 7–21 February 2006. Repellent posts were then cleaned with alcohol and Wolf Urine assessed from 8–22 March 2006.
(Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)
