One of the main problems of using drip irrigation system is the damage caused by rodents. Rodents can bite or eat up the drip irrigation tapes or tubings and create holes and leakages on them.

Drip tapes or hoses that leak are not good for purpose. Once, a drip tape is leaking, water pressure will be lost and the water dripping effects may not be optimal again. As a matter of fact, leakages in a drip irrigation system can render the whole system useless.

Rodents like rats and rabbits can bite the drip tapes you install on your farm. Some big animals can even destroy the whole system. Farmers using drip irrigation system must derive strategies to control rodents on their farms so that their drip irrigation systems will not be damaged.

How to prevent damages caused by rodents on drip irrigation systems

The following are some of the strategies you can use to prevent the damages caused by rodents on drip irrigation systems:

The Use of Rodenticides

Rodenticides are chemicals that can kill rodents. Phostoxin is a popular rodenticide available in Nigeria. This rodenticide can be buried or applied on drip irrigated farms. The smell alone can drive some rodents away from your farm.

The use of chemical sprays

Some chemicals can be sprayed on drip tapes. These chemicals have pungent odour that can discourage rodents from visiting your farm. Some of these sprays can even scare snakes and other animals away from your farm.

The use of traps

Traps are devices that can be used to bait and kill rodents. Some traps have sharp knives that can bait and kill rodents.

If you have a lot of rodents attacking the drip tapes on your farm, you can use traps to get rid of these rodents.

The use of sound

Some devices emit sound that irritates some rodents. These devices can be installed on the far, once, this device emits the sound, some rodents may get irritated and avoid your farm.

Types of rodents that can damage drip irrigation tapes or tubings

The following are some of the rodents that can damage drip irrigation tapes or tubings:

• Rat
• Mice
• Rabbit
• Hare
• Bush Rat
• Porcupine etc.

Big animals like bush pigs, warthog, wild dogs, deer, antelope and big cats etc. can also damage drip irrigation systems on farms.

Do you know any other method that can be used to control rodents in drip irrigated fields? If yes, why not share with us in the comments’ section.