THE APPLE SIGN TEST

The apple sign test was developed in Virginia to monitor vole populations in commercial orchards. The test permits the grower to detect vole populations before damage becomes severe. It also encourages economy and reduces exposing nontarget animals to control measures. Because the test shows where control is needed areas without voles are not treated, saving time, money, and environmental risk. For these reasons, anyone who has invested in ornamental landscaping or a home orchard should establish and maintain an apple sign test.

The apple sign test is easy to do. The orchardist or gardener can place 1-foot -square shingles that will blend in with the mulch or sections of 1- to 2-inch-thick pieces of board painted to match the background color of their flower garden plantings.

Step 1.Prepare enough shingles or wooden pieces to scatter them strategically along the edges and throughout plantings at 15-foot intervals. Sketch a map of the grounds, particularly if you have extensive plantings.

Step 2. To establish a test site, place a shingle on the ground, if possible over a hole caused by a vole. If you are monitoring for meadow voles, the shingle must be rounded in a tent-like fashion or propped up 3 to 4 inches off the ground so that the animal can go under it. Mark the location of the shingles on the map you drew in Step 1.

Step 3. After 5 days, place a 1/2 inch cube of apple under each shingle. After 24 hours, check whether the apple has been removed or eaten. Mark a + (to indicate that voles are present) or - (to indicate that voles are not present) on your site map. Leave the shingles in place for future monitoring.

Step 4.When monitoring has been completed, you can determine the locations where vole damage may occur and can direct control methods to those areas rather than treating the entire planting.

Step 5.File the map with the dates of monitoring and the locations at which control measures have been used.

Step 6. Conduct the apple sign test in the fall and spring each year and 21 to 30 days after each rodenticide application.

Individuals who use agricultural chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be sure to obtain current information about usage regulations and examine a current product label before applying any chemical. Contact your County Cooperative Extension Service agent if you would like assistance.

Information for this article taken from North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service publication AG-472- 3,"Wildlife Damage Management: Voles in Horticultural Plantings" prepared by Peter T. Bromley, William T. Sullivan, Jr., & Michael L. Parker.

Mark Blevins, Horticulture Agent

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