2006 - Volume #30, Issue #3, Page #17
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"Bait Stick" Drops Poison Into Vole Holes
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"Our specialty crops here in Oregon lend themselves to massive infestations," says Ron Rohde, who invented a "bait stick" poison application that makes the job easier. "A year ago our grass seed growers figured voles (which nibble on the young seed heads), cost them $35 million in lost production."
Voles also cause problems for Christmas tree plantations, grape vineyards and other specialty crop acres. Their populations tend to explode periodically, especially following several easy winters. With this latest spike, Rohde's bait dispenser has exploded in popularity, too. He first developed it in response to a mouse outbreak in the 1960's.
"People were putting bait in mouse holes a teaspoon at a time, and I figured there had to be a better way," says Rohde.
After a lot of experimenting, he designed a tube about 44 in. long made from metal conduit that serves as the bait reservoir. A spring-loaded base with a hole in it meters out the correct amount of bait as the base is pushed against a hole or tapped over the hole. Two setscrews in the base can be adjusted to increase or decrease the dose.
"The holes go straight down for about 1 1/2 in. and then make a right turn to the nest," explains Rohde. "The dispenser puts the bait in the hole where it needs to go."
The retired farmer makes the dispensers by hand and sells them for $35 each plus shipping or $30 each for larger orders. Each one will hold about 105 doses. Rohde estimates one person can treat about 1/2 to 1 1/2 acres per hour depending on the infestation.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ron Rohde, 8340 Oak Grove Road, Rickreall, Oregon 97371 (ph 503 835-3313).
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