Northern pika

The Northern pika (lat. Ochotona hyperborea) belongs to the order Lagomorpha, family Ochotonidae. This small mammal typically inhabits rocky mountainous terrain. Although it is primarily a wild species, in regions where agricultural fields border forests or tundra, it can act as a pest by invading forage areas and hayfields.

This pest mainly damages forage crops, wild grasses, and meadows. During periods of high population density, pikas significantly reduce the yield of natural grasslands, as they cut large volumes of plants to create "haystacks" for winter storage, often leaving them on rocks to dry in the sun.

The biology of the Northern pika is defined by its adaptation to harsh northern climates. Unlike many other small mammals, pikas do not hibernate. Their survival depends entirely on the quantity and quality of the stored hay, leading to intense feeding and harvesting activity during the short summer growing season.

Damage occurs through systematic foraging and cutting of vegetation near their rock-pile dens. The pest consumes the stems and leaves of both legumes and cereals, leading to pasture degradation. Furthermore, pika activity can contaminate forage with waste, making the remaining vegetation unpalatable for livestock.

Effective control measures include:

• Clearing field borders and stone piles of brush and debris to reduce available nesting sites.
• Applying rodenticides in areas of high density, adhering strictly to environmental and safety regulations.
• Using mechanical traps along established trails leading from rock dens to crops.
• Promoting natural predators, such as raptors and wild carnivores, by installing perches and maintaining natural habitats.