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Sterilants For Managing The Populations Of Red-Winged Blackbirds (Agelaius Phoeniceus), Andrew Cyr, Diane Lacombe

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Male Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) being gregarious, and causing heavy damage to corn crops in the northeast, including southern Québec and Ontario, sterilization has been studied as a mean's to manage their populations. With chemosterilants (thiotepa and Omitrol®) tested, year to year variations in reproductive success occurs. The spermatogenesis is disrupted, but the overall effect is not specific. Biosterilisation with 10.0 μg doses of GnRH-analogue hormones is more specific, and the spermatogenesis is disrupted for at least a month, but several spaced injections were required. No field trials have been done yet.

High Frequency Sound Devices Lack Efficacy In Repelling Birds, William A. Erickson, Rex E. Marsh, Terrell P. Salmon

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Ultrasonic or high-frequency sound-producing devices are marketed as a scaring or frightening method for bird control. Although inaudible to humans, most birds also do not hear in the ultrasonic frequency ranges of above 20,000 Hz, thus the credibility of advertised claims raises questions. A review of efficacy studies conducted and published by a number of researchers fails to demonstrate the usefulness of such bird control devices.

An Integrated Approach To The Management Of Urban Canada Goose Depredations, Steven D. Fairaizl

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Canada geese (Branta canadensis) in the Reno-Sparks, Nevada urban area have become a problem of increasing significance. Nuisance complaints from city parks, golf courses, and housing developments augment the bird hazard to aircraft operations at the local airport. Eleven goose collisions with commercial aircraft, between January 1986 and April 1989, caused $250,000 in structural damages but no injuries or loss of human life. The Federal Aviation Administration required action be taken to reduce the hazard if airport certification was to continue. A multi-agency task force was formed to develop and implement an integrated pest management plan. Population surveys …

Front Matter And Contents

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Contents:

A Review Of The Results From Laboratory Tests Of Some Rodenticides Against Eight Rodent Species, J.E. Gill

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

The susceptibility of eight rodent species to a range of widely used and candidate rodenticides was determined in laboratory feeding tests. No choice and choice tests were used to assess toxicity and effect on palatability of the rodenticides to Meriones shawi (Shaw's gerbil), Arvicanthis niloticus (Nile rat), Acomys cahirinus (Egyptian Spiny mouse), Mastomys natalensis (Multimammate rat), Sigmodon hispidus (Cotton rat), Rattus exulans (Polynesian rat), and R. rattus (Ship rat) which responded differently to each chemical. The results of these tests suggest possible rodenticides suitable for control of each species. Field trials are now needed to assess the effectiveness of these …

Urban Crow Roosts In California, W. Paul Gorenzel, Terrell P. Salmon

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

We reviewed the historical and current status of the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), urban crow roosts and control efforts in California. Crows aggregate in traditional winter roosting areas. In the late 1930s most crows in California roosted in the Sacramento Valley in rural locations. Crow roosts were not a concern except for potential damage to adjacent farmlands. From the 1960s through 1980s crows colonized urban areas for nesting and winter roosting. A phone survey of vertebrate pest management officials indicated all known roosts were in urban areas, with most occurring in the Sacramento Valley. From 1970 to 1989 …

Reinfestation Of Bandicota Bengalensis (Gray) In Irrigated Field Habitat, B.K. Guruprasad

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Bandicota bengalensis, a predominant species inhabiting irrigated fields is a potential pest on agricultural crops and is known to live in extensive burrow systems. The burrow opening covered with mud which is an indicator of its activity seems to be discontinuous. An analysis of burrow systems and their occupations indicated reuse of abandoned burrow systems by new entrants. A study simulated in semi-natural conditions supported the view that there is occupation of old burrows by new immigrants. Non-effective barriers; and availability of Panicum repens on bunds, a food alternative may support the population influx. Availability of old burrow systems …

Evaluations Of Aversive Agents To Increase The Selectivity Of Rodenticides, With Emphasis On Denatonium Benzoate (Bitrex®) Bittering Agent, Dale E. Kaukeinen, Alan P. Buckle

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Aversive agents are proposed as potential additives to rodenticides to increase selectivity to the target species. Examples of various aversive agent categories are given, including odorants, tastants, and emetics, with examples of evaluations. Tastant additives have been found that do not interfere with rodenticidal efficacy. Denatonium benzoate (commercially available as Bitrex®) is an intensely bitter but non-toxic substance, being increasingly used to adulterate common household materials to reduce the potential risks involved with accidental exposures. No known prior research results have been published concerning the incorporation of Bitrex in rodenticides. Rate determination studies utilizing different rodenticidal formulations were conducted. A …

The Field Rat Control Campaign, Chiapas, Mexico, Gillian E. Key, Romeo De La Piedra Constantino

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

The Secretariat for Rural Development of the State Government of Chiapas, southern Mexico, has been charged with conducting a campaign against the field rat which began in February 1991. Four areas were identified as key sites for the campaign benefiting 3,355 farmers in a total area of 8,000 ha and an initial budget of approximately $500m Mexican pesos (US $170,000). The major crops for which damage is reported are maize, sugar cane and cacao. The term “field rat” is a general one encompassing any rodent causing damage to field crops and in Chiapas probably covers a variety of species; no …

Laboratory Studies Of More Durable Baits For Controlling Pocket Gophers, Ling Ling Lee, Walter E. Howard, Rex E. Marsh

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

A laboratory study of 68 Botta's pocket gophers (Thomomys bottae) was carried out to compare the preference for 20 different nontoxic baits and the preference and efficacy of 14 different toxic baits. All baits were designed to be more durable (i.e., longer lasting) than loose grain baits to increase the chance that one baiting might successfully control any new gopher invader that moved into an unoccupied burrow system. Bait types ranged from pure paraffin cubes, polyethylene bags of grain bait (plain or coated with paraffin and carrot powder), and paraffin grain baits (3.4 g and 10 g). Wide …

Scarecrows And Predator Models For Frightening Birds From Specific Areas, Rex E. Marsh, William A. Erickson, Terrell P. Salmon

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Scarecrows and raptor models are fairly common traditional methods of attempting to frighten unwanted birds. Their effectiveness depends on the conditions under which they are used and the unwanted bird species involved. Best results are obtained from those that are most lifelike and have motion. When coupled with loud startling sounds or recorded distress calls their effectiveness is generally enhanced. Habituation by at least some birds is inevitable so the duration of effectiveness diminishes with time. It is essential to know what works best in a given situation so those methods can be employed to achieve maximum efficiency. An understanding …

Reflections On Current (1992) Pocket Gopher Control In California, Rex E. Marsh

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Rodenticide options for pocket gopher control are more limited now than anytime in the last 40 years. Strychnine remains the most economical and efficacious of the rodenticides available for use in production agriculture and forestry. The anticoagulant rodenticides, diphacinone and chlorophacinone, provide the best alternative to strychnine where the latter is thought inappropriate (e.g., school grounds, parks, etc.). The development of a behavioral type resistance to strychnine baits is currently jeopardizing control on certain ranches. Perishable baits (e.g., cubed raw carrots) are no longer an option because technical or concentrated strychnine is no longer registered for such uses. The development …

Nonlethal Repellents: The Development Of Cost-Effective, Practical Solutions To Agricultural And Industrial Problems, J. Russell Mason, Larry Clark

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Repellents substances and devices cause pest species to avoid otherwise attractive or palatable materials. For birds, repellents can be visual, auditory, pyrotechnic, tactile, chemosensory, physiologic, or physical. Here, we consider chemical agents only. Few substances are registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and thus legally available for use. This lack of available bird repellent technology reflects the small demonstrable economic impact of many agricultural bird damage problems. Accurate information about damage and market size is virtually nonexistent, and private companies are reluctant to invest resources in the unknown. To successfully commercialize new repellents, clearly lucrative markets must be …

The Development Of Long Term Management Plans For Bovine Tb Possum Control, Peter C. Nelson

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

In parts of New Zealand the beef and dairy industry is being threatened by possums spreading bovine tuberculosis to cattle. As a result new strategies for the long term control of possum populations have been developed. For these strategies, management plans are prepared which detail the control program for each area. New control strategies are being developed which include long term annual control to reduce infestation of treated areas. Research is being increased in an attempt to find long term answers with improved control techniques and more importantly the possibilities of biological control. Central and Local Government are providing long …

The Pocatello Supply Depot: Brief History, Current Functions, Supplies Available, And Annual Output, C. Joe Packham

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

The Pocatello Supply Depot (Depot or PSD), established in 1933, descended from the U.S. Biological Survey Bait (USBS) Mixing Station which originated in 1930 in McCammon, Idaho. The Depot was approved by a Congressional Resolution signed by the President in 1936. The Depot has functioned since 1937 under a Cooperative Service Agreement with the Greater Pocatello Chamber of Commerce who serves as trustee to the ""Depot Revolving Fund." The mission of the PSD is to provide specialized products and services for the Animal Damage Control (ADC) program and others engaged in wildlife damage management programs. The PSD fills a very …

A Microcomputer Model For Predicting The Spread And Control Of Foot And Mouth Disease In Feral Pigs, R.P. Pech, J.C. Mcilroy, M.F. Clough, D.G. Green

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

A microcomputer software package (AUSPLAGUE) is being constructed for development and testing of management plans for eradicating an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). It will indicate when and where control of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) is necessary to contain and eradicate, the disease. The software simulates the distribution and prevalence of FMD in feral pigs from the start of an outbreak and throughout the subsequent eradication campaign. The procedure is to integrate landscape data, the distribution and social behavior of feral pigs, a model of disease dynamics, and appropriate control …

Feral Goat Commercialisation: The Beginning Of The End Of Eradication?, Greg S. Pickles

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

The goat (Capra hircus) was first introduced into Western Australia (WA) over 100 years ago and since this time have been liberated and become feral. Feral goats are now found over much of the semi-arid and arid pastoral areas of the State and as uncontrolled grazers cause significant damage to the rangeland. The use of commercialisation as a control strategy to induce landholders to reduce feral goats has been used. This strategy is appealing for several reasons. It requires little government involvement from agencies responsible for pest control, resulting in low public costs. It returns immediate, tangible profits …

Back To The Future For Aphis's Vertebrate Pesticides, Craig A. Ramey, Edward F. Schaffer Jr., Kathleen A. Fagerstone, Steve D. Palmateer

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Many vertebrate pesticides used by the Bureau of Biological Survey at the turn of the century were registered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) beginning in 1960 with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). A review of archives and other documents at the Denver Wildlife Research Center (DWRC) has shown that a total of 72 federal registrations were established by the USFWS between 1960 and 1985. Because of increased regulation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), selective transfers from USFWS to USDA, voluntary cancellations, conversions to state local need registrations, and a reduced development pace, there are …

Population Dynamics Of Rattus Rattus In Poultry And Implications For Control, Shakunthala Sridhara, T.R. Krishnamurthy

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Rodents cause significant economic loss to poultry by feeding on poultry feed, contaminating it, damaging eggs, attacking chicks and transmitting bacterial and protozoan diseases. A year long study was undertaken to generate data on population structure and dynamics of Rattus rattus inhabiting poultry. Peak density was observed during summer (April). Although rats bred throughout the year, maximum breeding occurred in December (Winter). Adults were preponderant and sex ratio tilted slightly towards females. The calculated annual productivity of female R. rattus was 69.59 young/female/year. The continuous availability of food and ample shelter well protected from predators and immigrants indicates behavioral regulation …

Operational Application Of Diversionary Food In Young Lodgepole Pine Forests To Reduce Feeding Damage By Red Squirrels, Thomas P. Sullivan

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

The use of diversionary food is an ecological method to reduce feeding damage by wildlife to forest and agricultural crops. The red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) feeds on the vascular tissues of young lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) and this damage is particularly severe in intensively managed stands. Aerial application of sunflower seed on an operational scale significantly reduced damage by squirrels. This result was achieved in three different ecological zones in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. The food shortage apparently experienced by these rodents during the May-June damage period can be accommodated by an …

Control Strategies To Reduce Preharvest Rat Damage In Bangladesh, Parvin Sultana, Michael M. Jaeger

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

The principal objective of this study was to determine when during the year the control of bandicoot rats would be most cost-effective under the agricultural conditions existing in Bangladesh. An annual cycle in the rise and fall of burrow density was found. This argues for a management strategy directed at reducing rat damage at a specific time period within the year as opposed to a strategy of continuous population reduction. A model predicting rat damage was developed based on monthly estimates of burrow densities in rice and wheat; and projected losses were compared among the four major cereal growing seasons …

Behavioral Effects Of Removal Of Coyote Pups From Dens, James A. Till

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Predation by coyotes (Canis latrans) upon domestic sheep is a serious economic problem for some sheep producers in the United States. One of the few depredation control techniques that has been quantitatively analyzed is denning, the process of removing pups from the dens of depredating coyotes. The significance of coyote prey selection and territoriality are discussed with regard to the efficacy of denning and possible future depredation management strategies.

Eradication Of Feral Goats And Sheep From Island Ecosystems, Dirk Van Vuren

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Feral goats (Capra hircus) and feral sheep (Ovis aries) occur on numerous islands throughout the world and cause severe damage to island resources. Damage includes large-scale alteration of plant communities, negative impacts on insular endemic species of plants and animals, and damage to soils and cultural resources. Complete eradication is the best solution to the problem. Proposed control techniques include poisons, predators, diseases, sterilization, trapping, and shooting from the air, but experience shows that shooting from the ground, combined with the use of dogs, Judas goats, and perhaps fencing, is the best approach in most cases. …

Rodenticide Ecotoxicology: Pre-Lethal Effects Of Anticoagulants On Rat Behaviour, Paula Cox, R.H. Smith

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Anticoagulant rodenticides may pose a secondary poisoning hazard to non-target predators and scavengers because of the time-delay between ingestion of a lethal dose and death of a target rodent. We investigated some pre-lethal effects of an anticoagulant rodenticide on the behavior of wild rats in cages and in enclosures. We found that social interactions shortened time to death, that most rats died away from cover and that thigmotactic behavior was reduced in the enclosures. The normal light-dark rhythm was upset in intoxicated rats in both cages and enclosures. Thus pre-lethal effects are likely to alter the exposure of predators and …

The Characteristics And History Of Behavioural Resistance In Inner-City House Mice (Mus Domesticus) In The U.K., Richard E. Humphries, Adrian P. Meehan, Richard M. Sibly

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Since 1984 pest control operatives in some inner-city areas in the U.K. have found that house mice have become increasingly difficult to control. Mice in these very localized areas have stopped taking rodenticide bait from bait containers, a phenomenon referred to here as behavioral resistance. We report here preliminary experiments designed to characterize the phenomenon more precisely by comparing West Midlands behaviorally resistant (WMBR) populations with non-resistant (BC) populations in Berkshire. We investigated three hypotheses, that compared with non-resistant populations, resistant mice 1) are less likely to enter conventional live-capture traps; 2) have unusual food preferences; and 3) avoid bait …

The Starling In Europe: Multiple Approaches To A Problem Species , Chris J. Feare, Pierre Douville De Franssu

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

In Europe, Starlings are widely distributed and comprise both resident and migrant populations. These cause various kinds of damage which varies with the crops grown in different European Economic Community (EEC) countries. Although EEC member states are governed by the same legislation on bird protection, each state interprets the Community legislation in its own national legislation. This leads to different national approaches to the prevention of Starling damage, with little information exchange between member states. The establishment of an EEC (or wider) working group on bird pests is recommended to coordinate research and development.

Which Useful Toxicological Information Can Be Drawn From Studies On The Hepatic Fixation Of Anticoagulant Rodenticides, J.C. Lechevin, A. Vigie

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Anticoagulant rodenticides act at the hepatic level where they are more or less fixed according to their lipophilic nature. The studies on kinetics and metabolism carried out with no toxic doses are useful to know how products act but do not allow to anticipate the toxicity risks for non target species, because of low residual contents. These risks can only be assessed after the administration of toxic doses taking into account the residue levels. The use of half-life to express the results is not sufficiently accurate and may lead to wrong conclusions. The studies involving the residue and secondary toxicity …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 24, No.1 March 1992

The Prairie Naturalist

HABITAT CONSERVATION FOR NESTING LEAST TERNS AND PIPING PLOVERS ON THE PLATTE RIVER, NEBRASKA ▪ J. W. Ziewitz, J. G. Sidle, and J. J. Dinan

DIURNAL FLIGHT TIME OF WINTERING CANADA GEESE: CONSIDERATION OF REFUGES AND FLIGHT ENERGETICS ▪ J. E. Austin and D. D. Humburg

MYCOTOXIN OCCURRENCE IN WASTE FIELD CORN AND INGESTA OF WILD GEESE IN THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS ▪ K. F. Higgins, R. M. Barta, R. G. Neiger, G. E. Rottinghaus, and R. I. Sterry

NOTES

Cost of Nest Reuse by Western Kingbirds ▪ T. M. Bergin

A New Record for Falcate Spurge in the Midwest …

Development Of A System For Survey Of Radon Concentration Of The Dayton Area Using A Liquid Scintillation Counter And Analysis Of The Data, Taewon Kim

Theses and Dissertations

A system to do a large scale survey was developed. The data obtained from the survey was analyzed using a database. The database incorporated an equation for converting cpm into radon concentration pCi/ℓ). The equation of conversion, protocol for measuring radon concentration, survey form, and a database program were modified (from previous theses) or developed for this thesis. The elution time constant, adsorption time constant, and calibration factor were calculated for equation of conversion. Two surveys were during the course of the thesis. On the first survey, the arithmetic average radon concentration with standard error of the mean was 2.9 …

Interactive Computer Kiosks For Vertebrate Ipm—Status Report, Stephen C. Frantz, Robert M. Durlak

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

The recent outbreak of raccoon rabies in New York State during a period of unprecedented fiscal constraints presents an emerging organizational dilemma—how to handle increasing demands for services in an environment of diminishing resources. As one response to this need, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) is developing an interactive computer system for integrating public education, professional training and public/professional communication. The basic objective is to enhance consumer access to information regarding rabies, Lyme disease and other public health issues; thereby, forming the basis for prevention. In essence, this effort can be classified as an “educational intervention,” the …