Digital Commons Network^™

Coyotes, Sheep And Lithium Chloride, Richard E. Griffiths Jr., Guy E. Connolly, Richard J. Burns, Ray T. Sterner

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

The use of LiCl-treated baits and carcasses has been advocated as a means of controlling coyote predation on sheep through a process known as "aversive conditioning or taste aversion." While some investigators have made well publicized claims of damage reduction through the use of LiCl on sheep ranges, other researchers have experienced difficulty establishing prey aversion in captive coyotes. The conflicting results suggest a need for extensive, carefully controlled research in both pen and field situations before valid conclusions can be reached regarding aversive conditioning as a depredations control method.

County Programs For Vertebrate Pest Control In California, M. Hugh Handley

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Vertebrate pest control is an important function which has been performed for many years by County Agricultural Commissioners. Since 1917, control materials have been prepared and distributed to assist farmers in the control of rodents and pest animals. Our authority for these programs comes from the California Food and Agricultural Code. It explains why this aspect of pest control is conducted by Agricultural Commissioners.

Opening Comments—Eighth Vertebrate Pest Conference—And The Stability Of Vertebrate Populations In Man-Modified Habitats, Walter E. Howard

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Good morning. I am Professor Howard, your Conference Chairperson. Welcome to the Eighth Vertebrate Pest Conference. Vertebrate pest control has come a long way since our first two-day Conference, in 1962. An excellent meeting has been arranged by the hard-working Conference Committees and the 17 members of the Vertebrate Pest Council, who direct the Vertebrate Pest Conference. It is already a great success--because all of you are here. As I said in opening our first Conference 16 years ago, this is a Conference, not a convention. No motions or resolutions will be entertained. We are here to get acquainted with …

Rid-A-Bird Perches To Control Bird Damage, William B. Jackson

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Rid-A-Bird wick perches, using 9.4% endrin or 11% fenthion, may be used on a variety of structures for control of house sparrows, starlings, and pigeons. Installations take advantage of a bird's propensity to perch briefly before feeding or entering roost or nesting structures. Applications may be made to a variety of structures but are restricted from food storage or preparation areas. Additional toxicity and use research is needed.

Anticoagulant Baiting For Jackrabbit Control, John C. Johnston

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

The jackrabbit, Lepus californicus, is properly called a hare rather than a rabbit, because the young are born fully furred and with eyes open. Hares differ from rabbits in anatomy and in the lack of burrowing, although individual hares often have a more or less regular retreat or "form" at the base of a bush or clump of grass. Jackrabbits rely upon speed and dodging to escape enemies. They live chiefly in open places, seldom inhabiting dense brush or woods.

Black-tailed hares or jackrabbits are classed as game mammals by the California Fish and Game Code, but when found …

The Changing Rodent Pest Fauna In Egypt, A. Maher Ali

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

The most serious known rodent pests in agricultural irrigated land are: Rattus rattus, Arvicanthis niloticus and Acomys sp. Occasionally there are rodent outbreaks in agricultural plantations. The changing agro-ecosystem in the present and future agricultural plantations is expected to affect the status of the following potential rodent pest species: Spalax ehrenbergi aegyptiacus, Nesokia indica, Jaculus orientalis, and Gerbillus gerbillus gerbillus. Basic studies are needed to quantify damage including water loss, which is caused by rodents, forecast of rodent outbreaks, and integrated control of rodents in agricultural projects.

Warfarin Baits Bagging To Control The Population Of Cotton Rats In Field Crops In Sinaloa, Mexico, C. Martinez-Palacios, C. Chavez-Sanchez, R. Ituarte-Soto, A. Marquez Moreno

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Tests were conducted using 0.05% warfarin baits which were put into polietilinized paper bags with corn oil as attractants, in order to control cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus major) through-out 4,000 ha. of crops in the Sinaloa State. Both the effectiveness of the warfarin bait and the security and efficiency of the handling of the polietilinized paper bags was demonstrated. Furthermore, the tests showed that there were economic advantages in using the warfarin baits instead of the zinc phosphide baits; to the extent of a 46.67% saving in the control expenses.

Rodenticidal Activity Of Bromadiolone—A New Anticoagulant, Adrian P. Meehan

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Bromadiolone, a new anticoagulant rodenticide, has been evaluated against laboratory rats and mice. Kill of both species was excellent, even when bromadiolone was offered for only one day in the presence of alternative food. Effectiveness against homozygous warfarin resistant rats was also demonstrated. Limited field trials on farms showed that after baiting for seven days with bromadiolone, warfarin resistant rat populations were substantially reduced although subsequent re-infestation occurred. Longer or continuous periods of baiting with bromadiolone would almost certainly prevent population increase, but government restrictions on the amount of bait approved for the trials did not allow this to be …

Vertebrate Pest Control, Where From Here?, Raymond M. Momboisse

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

The legal and regulatory problems confronting the vertebrate pest control profession have mushroomed in recent years. The causes, the groups responsible and a suggested action plan for meeting the problem is outlined.

Agricultural Pests Destruction Movement In New Zealand, Peter C. Nelson

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

New Zealand could be regarded as an acclimatization laboratory, i.e., the consequence of a wide range of animal introductions in the period 1840-1907. Species introduced ranged from camels to hedge-hogs, ostriches to sky larks. Fortunately many failed to survive.

The majority of these liberations were made by Acclimatization Societies or private individuals, often with Government approval and protection. The most damaging species were several species of deer, rabbits, Australian opossums, goats, pigs, tahr, wallabies, and chamois.

The establishment, natural dispersion and colonization of unoccupied habitat by these animals was successful and surpassed all expectations. Pastoral land development in the early …

Present And Historical Bobcat Population Trends In New Mexico And The West, Gary Lee Nunley

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) populations throughout the West have reportedly decreased from the high levels of the early sixties. This decrease is also reflected in the annual New Mexico bobcat take of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service when based on a bobcat trapped per man-year of effort relationship from 1916 through 1976. Bobcat populations in New Mexico were comparably low from 1916 through 1948. In 1949 through 1950 populations began to increase to triple their highest pre-1948 levels by the late fifties. New Mexico bobcat populations began to decrease in the early sixties to present levels typical before …

Sheep Depredation By Golden Eagles In Montana, Bart W. O'Gara

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

A limited study on two ranches near Dillon, Montana, near the end of the lambing season in 1974 revealed that 44 domestic lambs were killed by golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos). This was 76 percent of all deaths recorded during the short study. Using an average docking percent of 90 (based on years before severe eagle problems developed), the 76 percent eagle predation, and the 1974 docking percentages, the ranchers estimated an eagle kill of 1,092 lambs valued at about $38,000. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service live-trapped and removed 249 golden eagles from the ranches during the next …

Pheromones: Their Potential For Ground Squirrel Control, Terrell P. Salmon

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Olfactory communication appears to be an important aspect of the biology of most ground squirrels. Several scent-producing glands have been described as having scent-marking behavior. Although the adaptive significance of these glands has not been determined, possible functions are discussed. The potential of using pheromones in an integrated ground squirrel management program is discussed.

Biology, Damage And Control Of The Edible Dormouse (Glis Glis L.) In Central Italy, L. Santini

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

The remarkable increase in the number of colonies of edible dormouse (Glis glis L.) registered in the litoranean industrial cultivations of Pinus pinea L. in northern Tuscany over the last ten years and the grave damage to the production of pine-seeds consequent on it has created the necessity of studying systems which may reduce the dormouse menace. Going on what has previously been discovered about the habits of the species in this particular habitat, three different methods of control were experimented: direct capture in their nests, which were in this case cavities in the tree trunks which woodpeckers' activities …

Recent Developments In Bird Damage Control Chemicals, Edward W. Schaffer Jr.

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

A number of actions are under way which could reduce or severely restrict the availability of chemicals presently available for controlling bird damage. The current status of 17 federally registered chemicals, representing approximately 57 products, is discussed with regard to registration, re-registration, or de-registration actions that are pending.

The developmental status of a number of new chemicals or new uses for existing chemicals is also discussed, along with an appraisal of the effects of current federal registration requirements on the eventual availability of these compounds.

Population Modeling As Aid To Rodent Control In The Field, Francois Spitz

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Forecasting the damages by voles on plant crops depends on a good forecast of vole population density. Biological work in Vendee from 1959 till 1968 have furnished the fundamentals of a population model. Further work on the relationship between breeding and climate enabled us to set up a practical forecasting model. This is applied by the Plant Protection Service, and the damage prevention system consists of a test trapping in winter, a population forecasting in early March, and, if necessary, poisoning in March-April. Generalization of the system is in progress.

Reproductive Inhibitors For Coyote Population Control: Developments And Current Status, John N. Stellflug, Norman L. Gates, R. Garth Sasser

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Coyote depreciation often causes severe losses of livestock and wildlife in many areas. The use of toxicants is banned for coyote control in the United States necessitating the consideration of alternative methods of control of these predators. This review deals with a class of possible alternatives for population control (reproductive inhibitors) and the conditions associated with selection and application of reproductive inhibitors to the target species.

Biological Control Of Conifer Seed Damage By The Deer Mouse (Peromyscus Maniculatus), Thomas P. Sullivan

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

This paper describes the development of a biological technique that successfully controls conifer seed damage by the deer mouse. Eleven experiments have been conducted on three study areas at the University of British Columbia Research Forest, Maple Ridge, B.C. Populations of deer mice have been monitored in all experiments with data from 56,000 trap nights. The technique involves a mixture of conifer seed (Douglas fir) with sunflower seed and oats which is uniformly distributed on logged areas in the late winter-early spring. Survival of conifer seed with these alternate foods was excellent, compared with control Douglas fir by itself, for …

Muskrat Control In The Netherlands, W.J. Doude Van Troostwijk

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Muskrats were introduced into Europe and have now spread over this part of the world. Their success as a colonizing species is discussed, as well as the problems they create in a man-made environment. Due to their successfulness, a strict control program has been changed to a management program in order to keep numbers below the level at which intolerable damage occurs.

Changing Status Of Mountain Lion In California And Livestock Depredation Problems, Richard A. Weaver

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

The California Department of Fish and Game studied depredation by mountain lions on livestock from 1971 through 1977 to determine the scope of the problem. Information was needed on the physical characteristics of a stock killer, the frequency and trend of predation, the livestock types preyed upon, and the geographic distribution of incidents. Department of Fish and Game verified 134 incidents of mountain lion predation on livestock which occurred between April 1971 and December 1977. Forty-five mountain lions (28 males and 17 females) were killed on depredation during this time. Approximately 42 percent of the predation incidents involved sheep, 22 …

Influences On The Science Of Animal Damage Control, John R. Wood

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

This paper is about the complexity of animal damage control science and its research, methods development, and control applications. It is not the point here to discourse on the individual methodology used in animal damage control research. The discussion is to point out that many researchers, wildlife managers, bureaucrats, or advocates fail to understand the situation in the science of animal damage control and its attendant problems that need resolution. (1,2,3)

Agricultural Impact Of A Winter Population Of Blackbirds And Starlings, Richard A. Dolbeer, Paul P. Woronecki, Allen R. Stickley Jr., Stephen B. White

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The major concentration of blackbirds and Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in North America occurs in the southeastern United States where an estimated 350 million Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) , Common Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) , Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) , and Starlings congregate in winter roosts (Meanley 1971, 1975, 1977). An estimated 75-100 major (containing >l million birds) roosts form in the southeastern states each year. Increasing attention is being given to many of these roosts because of nuisance problems, reputed health hazards, and agricultural damage associated with them. Although considerable effort has been directed toward developing methods for reducing roosting populations …

The Prairie Naturalist Vol. 10. No. 1 March. 1978

The Prairie Naturalist

KEY TO THE SKULLS OF NORTH DAKOTA MAMMALS ▪ J. M. Wiebe

RESPONSES OF PRAIRIE GROUSE TO AVIAN AND MAMMALIAN VISITORS ON DISPLAY GROUNDS IN NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA ▪ D. W. Sparling, Jr. and W. D. Svedarsky

FIRST NESTING RECORD OF THE CASPIAN TERN IN NORTH DAKOTA ▪ J. F. Herman, R. A. Schmidt and K. J. Wilson

MARSH HAWK PREDATION ON BLACK TERN AND PECTORAL SANDPIPER ▪ G. D. Maxson

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS FOR NORTH DAKOTA—1977 ▪ R. N. Randall

BOOK REVIEW

Audubon Society "Field Guides" ▪ D. L. Kubischta

Rodents As Agricultural Pests In Mexico—National Rodent Campaign, Federico Sanches Navarete

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Since 1973, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, the Mexican Government has established a general campaign against the most important groups of vertebrate pests, which cause severe damage to growing crops, stored products and mechanical damage to agricultural and irrigation schemes. To achieve information on this subject, presently the main office of the program is engaged on several activities such as the evaluation of the damage, trapping, species involved, research on population structure (densities and fluctuations to prevent sudden increase of rodent population), sex proportion, pregnancy (number of embryos), bait formulation, distribution methods, etc. Sigmodon spp., Oryzomys spp., …

Wildlife As Vectors In Diseases: Approaches To Solving These Problems In The United Kingdom, Harry V. Thompson

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Interest in wildlife diseases and their importance to man and his livestock has increased in the United Kingdom during the past decade. Reasons for this are given and particular reference made to the single occurrence of rabies outside quarantine in Britain, in 1969 (the first since 1922), and to the links between bovine tuberculosis in badgers and in cattle.

Vertebrate Control Chemicals: Current Status Of Registrations, Rebuttable Presumptions Against Registrations, And Effects On Users, Glenn A. Hood

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 8th (1978)

Man's use of chemical pesticides has received much attention in recent years, reflecting or generating public consciousness of our environmental welfare. The establishment of Water Quality Acts, the Toxic Substances Control Act, air pollution standards, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also exemplify this consciousness which has become a major political force. Although there is some unyielding antagonism against all chemicals used to control pests, there is general agreement that pesticides are necessary for the protection of our health, food, fiber, and habitats. Nevertheless, some pesticides have serious shortcomings, especially toxicity to nontarget organisms and long persistence in the environment. …

Matters Of Concern In Rodent Control In Pennsylvania Orchards, C. M. Ritter

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

Rodent control -- both meadow and pine -- has been and continues to be a matter of major concern in all Pennsylvania orchards. Insect and disease problems are vexing but largely seasonal and comparatively easy to correct. Rodent damage, at best, is a debilitating factor in tree growth and fruit production. At worst, it is terminal so far as tree life is concerned.

1976 Ipoms Vole Results, Don W. Hayne

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

This is a preliminary report on the vole portions of an interdisciplinary study of integrated pest and orchard management systems (IPOMS) in North Carolina. Vole trapping results of winter 1976-77 in 46 orchards are reported and compared to vegetational and chemical measurements made in the same orchards the previous summer.

An Experimental Comparison Of Vole Control Methods, William T. Sullivan Jr., Don W. Hayne

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

This is a description of a new relatively long-term study of pine vole control under the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station. The objective is to evaluate on an experimental basis, the principal methods used to control vole populations and damage in apple orchards.

Efficacy Data For Baits Prepared As Candidate Orchard Vole Control Agents, Milo Richmond, Mary Dunlay, Robert Stehn

Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposia

I believe this audience is already well aware of the dilemma in New York State. We have suffered extensive damage from orchard mice over the past three years in New York with some growers losing their entire operation. The pine vole, Pitymys pinetorum, has assumed an Important role as an orchard pest and in eastern New York easily surpasses the related meadow vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus as a significant orchard pest. A recent grower-funded economic survey, initiated by this Unit, and reported in a paper by Pearson and Forsney (1978) points up the severity of losses thru reduced quality and …