A comparison of the effectiveness of methods of deterring pteropodid bats from feeding on commercial fruit in Madagascar

Published source details Raharimihaja T.E.A., Rakotoarison J.L.M. & Andrianaivoarivelo R.A. (2016) A comparison of the effectiveness of methods of deterring pteropodid bats from feeding on commercial fruit in Madagascar. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 8, 9512-9524.
Share Tweet Email

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Use non-lethal measures to prevent bats from accessing fruit in orchards to reduce human-wildlife conflict Action Link

Use non-lethal measures to prevent bats from accessing fruit in orchards to reduce human-wildlife conflict

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2012–2013 at two lychee Litchi chinensis growing sites in Madagascar (Raharimihaja et al 2016) found that using an organic deterrent or plastic flags reduced lychee damage caused by Madagascan flying foxes Pteropus rufus, and ringing bells caused most bats to fly away. At both sites, the average proportion or number of lychees damaged by flying foxes/fruit cluster was lower with an organic deterrent (Site 1 = 5%; Site 2: two fruit/fruit cluster) or plastic flags (Site 1 = 32%; Site 2 = 0.5 fruit/fruit cluster) than with no deterrent (Site 1 = 62%; Site 2 = 11 fruit/fruit cluster). Across both sites, ringing bells resulted in 35 of 44 (80%) flying foxes flying away. Three deterrents were tested at two sites in 2012 and 2013. An organic deterrent (‘Plantskydd’) made from dried blood and vegetable oil was mixed with water and sprayed onto 19–27 lychee clusters/site (each with 60–125 fruit), 15 days before lychees ripened. Bright pink plastic flags (1 x 0.5 m) were hung 1 m from 18–20 randomly selected lychee clusters/site (each with 100–150 fruit). Controls were 21–32 lychee clusters/site with no deterrents. On three occasions, six bells (12-cm diameter) were hung in two lychee trees for four consecutive nights. Bells were rung using a string between 18:00 and 22:00 h when flying foxes attempted to feed on lychees. Lychee damage caused by flying foxes (identified from teeth marks) was monitored daily until lychees were collected by farmers.

(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)