How to solve problem of monkeys in Areca Nut fields

Ask Me Anything
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1

Discovery:

Problem: Monkeys come and eat the Areca nuts we grow.
Duration: This has been happening for a decade now.

The traditional farm is like this

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A view of the trees in a farm - a youtube video

map
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Investigation:
This is not common only to Shivamoga, but across India as shown by these articles:

https://science.thewire.in/environment/himachal-pradesh-rhesus-macaques-vermin-poisoning-death/

The Hindu - Mechanism to tackle monkey menace in place - Govt to HC

Karnataka govt plans sterilisation programme to curb monkey menace |…

Quick solutions for human-monkey conflicts could lead to dangerous results

Monkey menace: Locals cage 70 monkeys, keep cage outside GP

What we have tried

  1. Sound guns and devices
  2. Firecrackers
  3. Fences

Ask:
I am looking for solutions on how to solve this problem, sustainably and permanently.

Thank you

2 Likes
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Seems like a good document to read

http://diragrijmu.nic.in/Advisories/Controlling%20Monkey%20Menace.pdf

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We had a monkey menace in one of the schools. They were coming in from the windows. We put Toy tigers ( large size) on the windows. This did work for us.

4 Likes
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how long did they work for? @Sarah

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Six months. I will have to check if the monkeys are back

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FARMERS CAN USE AGRI-CANNON .
AGRI CANNON is a mechanical device which is made up of MS steel . This device usually plays HUGE SOUNDS that prevent monkeys from entering their agricultural area .

1 Like
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Farmers tried their level best, and tried below techniques but no use.

  1. Scare guns(agri canon) crackers
  2. dogs
  3. Toy tigers
  4. Electric fencing

Only capturing and relocating to forest areas some what controlled the menace. Every day farmer not able sit in his farm to watch the monkeys ride. His time, livelihood saviour crops matters the most.

1 Like
8

Interesting suggestion. What about the possibility of neighbourhood getting disturbed due to the sound?

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What are some of the steps taken by this farmer to handle the problem?

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Check out this article. The farmer faced a similar problem but nicely took help low-cost technology to solve the problem. You can also find his contact email address in the comment section.

Link - This farmer uses internet to keep monkeys off his back | Bengaluru News - Times of India

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Farmers can play the sound for 2to 3 minutes (every 3 hours )
So during that time farmers can go out for sometime with their dogs

1 Like
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@Manju have you tried the following from the document above?

  1. Use of annoying and smelling substances like dry fish packets spread around the field.
  2. Maintaining a balance by releasing predators / natural enemies (Langur).
  3. Sprinkling vegetables with pepper will deter monkeys from eating them.The
    chemical Capsaicin contained in chilli is an excellent repellent against monkeys,
    squirrels, and some other wild animals. Farmers who grow chilli will also benefit
    from an extra source of income.
  4. Smoke: Burn dung (with chilli for more effectiveness)or other materials that
    smoulder and create heavy smoke.Farmers burn sticks dipped in phenyl which keep
    the monkeys away from the field.
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What compensation do you get for such damages @Manju ?

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@Mahi08 @Manju has tried agri guns as well

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what type of sound? any examples?

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These are some suggestions we got. Have you tried them @Manju

  1. Grow more plants which monkeys desire inside the forest, away from your farms to attract them
  2. Spray pepper and spice on the fruits using a water sprayer so that they learn not to eat or attach such plants
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These are the ideas shortlisted from citizens using WhatsApp Chatbot : @Manju

  1. ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು ಕೋತಿಗಳನ್ನು ಕಾಡಿನ ಒಳಗೆ ಇರುವಂತೆ ನೋಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಿ ಮತ್ತು ಅವು ವಾಸ ಇರಲು ಹಾಗೂ ತಿನ್ನಲು ಯೋಗ್ಯ ಮರಗಳನ್ನು ಬೆಳೆಸಿದಲ್ಲಿ ಉತ್ತಮ. ಮನೆಗಳಲ್ಲೂ ಅವುಗಳಿಗೆ ಸುಲಭವಾಗಿ ಆಹಾರ ನೀಡುವ ರೂಢಿ ಮಾಡದೆ ತಮ್ಮ ಇಷ್ಟದ ಆಹಾರ ತಾವೇ ಹುಡುಕಿಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗುವ ಅಭ್ಯಾಸವಾದರೆ ತೋಟಗಳಿಗೆ ನುಗ್ಗಿ ಬೆಳೆ ಹಾನಿ ಮಾಡುವುದನ್ನು ತಪ್ಪಿಸಬಹುದು. ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು ಅವುಗಳಿಗೆ ಆಹಾರ ನೀಡದಂತೆ ಪ್ರವಾಸಿಗರಲ್ಲಿ ವಿನಂತಿಸಿ
  2. FARMERS CAN USE AGRI-CANNON AGRI CANNON IS A MECHANICAL DEVICE WHICH IS MADE UP OF MS STEEL . THIS DEVICE USUALLY PLAY HUGE SOUNDS THAT PREVENT MONKEYS FROM ENETRING THEIR AGRICULTURAL AREA + 3
  3. Spices can be powdered and sprinkled around the plant/tree - By this method, monkeys:monkey:can get spices into there eyes and nose. So that this method won’t disturb any other creatures. burning straw also helps to get rid of monkeys, squirrels :chipmunk: toys like animals will scare them and helps to get rid of monkeys. Scarecrows can be kept around the plants to scare them they can have any pets scare monkeys best way- keeping watchman on the farms sticky pads can be kept rubber snakes can be kept distracting them
  4. They can fence their farm or grow a terrific dog that can scare away the monkeys
2 Likes
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Why not try Electric Fences around the farm,

Or consult the Wildlife Protection Society of India, about what to do

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We heard you tried something like this @Manju . Can you tell us why it didn’t work? Is it because monkeys are not covered by this device?

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They are trying to solve for monkeys coming into the farms on tree tops. Fences have not been able to help with any animal coming off the ground as far as I know. Is that correct @Manju