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Published on January 15, 2025
Placer County Deploys Raptor Perches to Naturally Combat Roseville's Vole ProblemSource: Wikipedia/Original by Soebe, edited by Fashionslide, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Roseville's rodent problem seems to be decreasing as Placer County implements a natural solution by installing raptor perches in local parks. With voles damaging city irrigation lines, county officials are relying on birds of prey to help manage the population. Josh Huntsinger, Placer County's agriculture commissioner, discussed the vole issue at Doyle Ranch Park, describing the animals as falling between the subterranean gopher and the more common mouse, CBS News Sacramento reports.

The county has implemented a solution that is both eco-friendly and cost-effective. The installation of raptor perches, standing approximately 15 to 20 feet high, provides predatory birds with a clear vantage point to spot and capture the voles. Placer County Parks, Trails and Open Spaces Supervisor Matt Williams shared optimism about the new strategy, stating that the number of vole-related complaints has significantly dropped since the installation of the perches, as noted in a statement obtained by FOX40 News. Williams emphasised the project's aim to control, not eradicate, the vole populations.

The perches contribute to the local ecosystem and align with the county's initiative to promote biodiversity in both new and existing parks. Huntsinger describes it as part of "integrated pest management," a strategy that focuses on controlling pests using natural methods instead of relying on rodenticides. This approach supports local bird populations and helps maintain the natural integrity of the county's expansion projects, as described by CBS News Sacramento.

The county's cost-effective approach—Williams noted that each perch costs only a few hundred dollars to install and requires minimal maintenance—also helps avoid the recurring costs and environmental impacts associated with chemical pest control. Williams told FOX40 News, “It’s what we call biological pest control.” Additionally, the initiative to support local pollinator populations, which had been hindered by vole activity, is expected to benefit from this bird-assisted pest control.

As spring approaches, the effectiveness of the raptor perches is expected to become more evident. Early signs indicate success, with birds of prey regularly using the perches and contributing to the balance of Roseville's parks. Williams noted the hope to observe trends in the vole population over the coming months, aiming for a return to equilibrium in the local ecosystem. Currently, the county reports that the perches are being used by predatory birds, indicating a potential sustainable solution to the area's vole issue.