A method to deter Syrian woodpeckers from drilling holes in plastic irrigation pipes

Anat Barnea, Yoram Yom-Tov

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Syrian woodpeckers (Dendrocopos syriacus) damage plastic irrigation pipes in orchards and telephone cables by drilling holes in them. The aim of this study was to find a method to prevent such damage. The work was carried out in four localities along the coastal plain of Israel. A continuous follow-up showed that damage was minimal during winter and rose sharply towards summer. A collapsible irrigation pipe which inflates only when water flows into it was found to be inappropriate because holes were drilled in it. Yellow-painted pipes were found to have a deterrent effect on woodpeckers in that no holes were found, whereas the damage in the control pipes was maintained and followed the regular annual pattern.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)35-39
Number of pages5
JournalCrop Protection
Volume3
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1984

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