Page 36 - Grapevine March-April 2020

Around The Vineyard

ence alone is enough to deter prey species. Falcon of burrowing rodents from 65-100% in the first
Force’s Alaverdian told The Grapevine Magazine treatment.
how falconry-based bird abatement is quiet, dis-
crete, organic, eco-friendly and sustainable. “University of California field trials, as well as
farmer reports, have proven that the PERC system
“Our team of expert falconers releases one of our works very well in burrowing rodent control pro-
falcons upon the first sighting of birds in the morn- grams,” Hurlburt said. “Safety for the operator,
ing, and the falcons pursue the prey with the inten- bystanders and non-targeted animals has made the
tion of catching them. Nothing scares a prey spe- PERC system the first choice for burrowing rodent
cies more than the fear of falling victim to a preda- control.”
tors’ meal,” Alaverdian said. “However, it is not our
intention to let the falcon catch the prey, so as the H&M Gopher Control’s most popular model for
flocks of starlings disburse out of sight, the falconer rodent control among vineyards under 100 acres
calls the bird back in, and the falcon is rewarded is the company’s 206 unit. “Because vineyards can
for his pursuit. Each flight may last between ten only treat one row at a time, multiple 206 units
minutes to an hour, depending on the time of day rather than the larger machines can be a more effi-
and temperatures. Once a bird is called in, a fresh cient use of capital and labor.”
falcon is prepared to patrol the next incoming flock.
Each bird may be flown two to six times a day.” When Wildlife Control is Most Important

“Falcon Force is the marriage of a very deep pas- The best time to start thinking about controlling
sion for the ancient art of falconry coupled with wildlife is right after planting, and, based upon
the practical use of raptors for bird abatement in a the local wildlife activity in the area, a plan for the
modern-day landscape,” Alaverdian said. whole season should be put in place. Different
animal pests tend to strike at various times during
Rodent Control the year. Closely monitoring vines throughout the
growing season for signs of a wildlife presence or
When it comes to rodents, Hurlburt of H&M damage will help you form and adapt your pest
Gopher Control said that non-chemical wildlife control strategy accordingly.
control methods like owl boxes have not proven
to be very effective. However, he said that the Miller of Bird Control Group said that bird control
Pressurized Exhaust Rodent Control system has efforts start at veraison, the point in berry ripening
proven to be very effective in reducing populations when the vine begins focusing on seed develop-
ment and cell expansion
rather than cell division.

“Veraison occurs 45
to 65 days after bloom,
depending on climate
and variety, when the
sugar level is around 12º
Brix,” Miller said. “Once
the berries turn color,
the birds will test the
fruit, and like humans,
they truly only like to eat
the berries when there is
optimal sugar.”

However, Miller also
said that bird behavior is
Bird Damage • Photo Courtesy of: Nixalite of America Inc. dependent on more than
just the wine grape crop.

Page 34 The Grapevine • March-April 2020 877-892-5332

Grapevine Main Pages GV010220_Layout 1-1 .indd 34 2/19/20 4:12 PM