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Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

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Full-Text Articles in Environmental Health and Protection

Opening Remarks—The Conference’S Educational Mission In Vertebrate Pest Control, Rex E. Marsh Feb 1982

Opening Remarks—The Conference’S Educational Mission In Vertebrate Pest Control, Rex E. Marsh

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

Welcome to the Tenth Vertebrate Pest Conference. It has been 20 years since the First Vertebrate Pest Control Conference was held (Sacramento, California, 1962). The conference objectives which prevailed at the first conference have not changed. Our goal today continues to be the advancement of technology by an exchange and discussion of information on vertebrate pests and their control. The overall objective is education. The conference has grown from a local or state meeting into a national and international conference, from a 2-day to a 3-day event. In attendance it has grown from 268 at the first to what we …


Pigeon Control: An Integrated Approach, Colleen M. Martin, Lee R. Martin Feb 1982

Pigeon Control: An Integrated Approach, Colleen M. Martin, Lee R. Martin

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

Reducing a pigeon population to a tolerable or minimal impact level is a subject about which one can find much antiquated and impractical information. Most technical literature reports on the biology of pigeons and associated disease factors. The intention of this paper is to describe the practical application of large-scale pigeon population reduction programs that have been at least 90% effective in 45 out of 46 cases over the past four years. Human relations, exclusion, trapping, toxic perches and Avitrol are discussed.


The Role Of Usda In Animal Damage Control, James E. Miller Feb 1982

The Role Of Usda In Animal Damage Control, James E. Miller

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

The impact of vertebrate animal damage on agricultural production of row crops, forests, horticulture, poultry and livestock production, other wildlife, health of humans and domestic animals, and the protection of human interests is a vital concern of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Department recognizes that it is an old and complex problem that does not lend itself to easy answers. Animal damage problems will continue to be a significant concern of USDA and will probably always be controversial, requiring intensive research, educational, regulatory, and assistance programs. The objectives of the Department are to develop and maintain viable programs in …


Responses Of Caged Red-Winged Blackbirds To Methiocarb On Wild Rice, Daniel W. Moulton Feb 1982

Responses Of Caged Red-Winged Blackbirds To Methiocarb On Wild Rice, Daniel W. Moulton

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were offered a choice between cultivated wild rice (Zizania aquatica) treated with methiocarb and untreated wild rice. Unhulled wild rice soaked in methiocarb solution was highly effective in repelling blackbirds at residue levels <132 ppm. The responses of blackbirds to methiocarb residues <132 ppm on soaked rice were variable. Most of the blackbirds conditioned to avoid treated rice at 132 ppm of methiocarb were subsequently repelled by treated rice with residues as low as 30 ppm.


Guard Dogs And Gas Exploders As Coyote Depredation Control Tools In North Dakota, William K. Pfeifer, Michael W. Goos Feb 1982

Guard Dogs And Gas Exploders As Coyote Depredation Control Tools In North Dakota, William K. Pfeifer, Michael W. Goos

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

Guard dogs and gas exploders have been successfully used in North Dakota to protect sheep from coyote (Canis latrans) depredation since the mid-1970s. They have been used in addition to other lethal and nonlethal control tools. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gathered information from field testing and landowner interviews to measure their effectiveness. Guard dogs reduced the rate of depredation by 93 percent on the 36 ranches surveyed. Gas exploders deterred coyotes from depredating on 30 ranches an average of 31 days during the 1980 and 1981 grazing seasons. An increasing number of sheep producers are using these control …


Traditional Approaches For Protecting Cereal Crops From Birds In Africa, P. Ruelle, R.L. Bruggers Feb 1982

Traditional Approaches For Protecting Cereal Crops From Birds In Africa, P. Ruelle, R.L. Bruggers

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

Despite the recent emphasis in Africa by national and regional plant protection organizations to control pest birds, traditional farmers usually are still left to their own initiative, as they have been for centuries, to protect their crops. These farmers employ many ingenious visual and oratory frightening techniques, barriers, agronomic planting or harvesting modifications, and bird population-suppression methods. Under some circumstances these methods can reduce damage. However, their effectiveness is subject to such variables as the season of the year, the type and maturation stage of the crop, the pest species and its abundance, the size and ownership of the field, …


Aluminum Phosphide (Phostoxin) As A Burrow Fumigant For Ground Squirrel Control, Terrell P. Salmon, W. Paul Gorenzel, Walter J. Bentley Feb 1982

Aluminum Phosphide (Phostoxin) As A Burrow Fumigant For Ground Squirrel Control, Terrell P. Salmon, W. Paul Gorenzel, Walter J. Bentley

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

The California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) is widely distributed throughout California. It causes serious damage to agricultural crops. Tests were conducted to evaluate the fumigant aluminum phosphide (Phostoxin®) and to compare it to the commonly used gas cartridge. Treatments consisted of applying either a single-dose (two 3-gm tablets) or double-dose (four 3-gm tablets) of aluminum phosphide, or 1 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gas cartridge in each burrow in the study plots. The burrow opening was then plugged with 1 sheet of newspaper and sealed with soil. Burrows in the control plot were plugged with newspaper and sealed in the …


Strychnine Residue Studies And Their Implications In Rodent Control, Harry G. Smith Feb 1982

Strychnine Residue Studies And Their Implications In Rodent Control, Harry G. Smith

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

Applications of 0.29, 1.0, 2.63, and 5.26% strychnine-impregnated grain baits were applied below ground to 10' x 10' plots of alfalfa to determine translocation of strychnine from the soil to plants. Four replicates of each concentration were made and the alfalfa analyzed for strychnine residues. Four 10' x 10' plots were utilized as controls. Plant samples were taken on Day 1, Day 9, and Day 14. Strychnine was not detected in any of the samples above the limit of detectability (0.02ppm). Apples from trees subjected to a normal, 1 x normal, and a 3 x normal gopher control strychnine bait …


California Registration Procedures Relative To Vertebrate Pesticides, Jon H. Shelgren Feb 1982

California Registration Procedures Relative To Vertebrate Pesticides, Jon H. Shelgren

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

I am very happy to be here today and to have the opportunity to talk to you about the Department of Food and Agriculture, with particular emphasis on the Department's role in registering pesticides and how this relates to Federal registration. My comments will address all pesticides including vertebrate pesticides. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has broad and flexible authority. The FIFRA is a comprehensive regulatory statute and under it the EPA determines the pesticides that may be registered and for what uses. New chemicals, new uses of established products, new …


Mountain Lion Predation On Domestic Livestock In Nevada, H. Russell Suminski Feb 1982

Mountain Lion Predation On Domestic Livestock In Nevada, H. Russell Suminski

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

The mountain lion has long been considered a serious predator on domestic livestock, primarily sheep, in the state of Nevada. For the past five years (FY77-81), documented losses to lions have averaged 375 animals. While this number is not large, most losses are sustained by only a few individual livestock operators, and the losses constitute a serious economic hardship for these individuals. An average of 23 lions have been taken in response to livestock depredation complaints during each of these five years. Controlling livestock loss to mountain lions is the responsibility of the Animal Damage Control branch of the U.S. …


An Ipm Approach To Rodent Control On Midwestern Farms, Robert M. Timm Feb 1982

An Ipm Approach To Rodent Control On Midwestern Farms, Robert M. Timm

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

An Integrated Pest Management project in Nebraska is assisting fanners, particularly pork producers, in controlling damage caused by Norway rats, house mice, house sparrows, and starlings. A survey of pork producers to (1) determine the incidence of certain rodent and bird pests, (2) identify factors which contribute to pest damage and control, and (3) evaluate the project's impact, has been completed. Survey results are summarized. Continuing efforts to document economic damage caused by vertebrate pests are expected to enhance the program's impact.


Reducing Starling Depredations At Livestock Feeding Operations Through Changes In Management Practices, Daniel J. Twedt, James F. Glahn Feb 1982

Reducing Starling Depredations At Livestock Feeding Operations Through Changes In Management Practices, Daniel J. Twedt, James F. Glahn

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

Economic losses due to starling depredations at livestock feeding operations can be reduced by implementing management practices that limit access to or reduce consumption of grain products by starlings. Current farm management practices that reduce losses to birds are reviewed and alternate practices suggested. Management practices suggested include physical separation of feed from starlings, use of feed types that reduce the rate of consumption by starlings, and use of feeds that are either unpalatable or not physiologically usable by starlings. The reduction in starling numbers at feedlots resulting from these management practices may alleviate economic losses with a concomitant lesser …


The Use Of Fences For Predator Damage Control, Dale A. Wade Feb 1982

The Use Of Fences For Predator Damage Control, Dale A. Wade

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

The development of exclusion fencing has been extensive in Australia in attempts to reduce losses of crops and livestock to rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), dingos (Canis familiaris Var. dingo) and other species. Restrictions on other damage control methods have led to increased efforts in the United States to utilize such fences for protection of crops and livestock from dogs (Canis familiaris), coyotes (Canis latrans) and other species. Electric fences have occasionally been used to protect apiaries from black bears (Ursus americanus) and to protect some wildlife species from carnivores. Varied fence types include conventional net-wire or combinations of net and barbed …


Green Chopped Bait For The Control Of The Oregon Ground Squirrel, Kenneth W. Wright Feb 1982

Green Chopped Bait For The Control Of The Oregon Ground Squirrel, Kenneth W. Wright

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

In 1972 at the Fifth Vertebrate Pest Conference, my predecessor, Loring White, described "The Adaptation to a Changing Environment of the Oregon Ground Squirrel." Today, ten years later, I will bring you up-to-date on what we are doing to control this persistent ground squirrel to a point where we can keep our farming operations going in spite of this pest. Bait-shyness or poor bait acceptance has forced us to use a green bait. For efficiency, aircraft broadcasting has become the common method of application. So that you might have a better perspective of our ground squirrel operations, I will illustrate …


Bird Problems And Their Solutions In Britain, Ernest N. Wright Feb 1982

Bird Problems And Their Solutions In Britain, Ernest N. Wright

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

The background and organization of research on bird pests in Britain are described and the main projects are outlined. Work is currently concentrated on bullfinches, starlings, rooks and woodpigeons together with behavioral studies aimed at developing better bird scarers.


Rodent Control In Barbados, Charley O. Browne Feb 1982

Rodent Control In Barbados, Charley O. Browne

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

As a result of an increase in the number of cases of the disease, leptospirosis, occurring between the years 1961 and 1971, the Government of Barbados became concerned about this health problem. With assistance from Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) surveys were carried out with a hope of ascertaining the possible cause of the problem and to determine subsequent remedial action.


Changes In Bait Acceptance By Rabbits In Australia And New Zealand, A.J. Oliver, S.H. Wheeler, C.D. Gooding, J. Bell Feb 1982

Changes In Bait Acceptance By Rabbits In Australia And New Zealand, A.J. Oliver, S.H. Wheeler, C.D. Gooding, J. Bell

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

Control of rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, by poisoned bait has been widely practiced in Australia and New Zealand for many years. Since the 1950s, Compound 1080 has been the active ingredient and yielded good results (ca 90% kills) when first used. Recent trails (1973-74) in New Zealand showed that the main reason for poor results obtained nowadays is the failure of many rabbits to eat bait. Recent trials in Western Australia showed that there has been a significant decline in effectiveness of rabbit control by baiting during the period 1958-1975. Shortcomings in operational technique and increased resistance to the poison 1080 …


Vertebrate Pest Management And Changing Times, Donald A. Spencer Feb 1982

Vertebrate Pest Management And Changing Times, Donald A. Spencer

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

Everywhere one turns today there are problems. The gristmills of doom and disaster are experiencing a heyday marketing this situation as one of crisis and extinction. An advantage of being an oldster in this society is that one has the perspective to recognize that these are only problems, some simple, some complex, presenting a challenge for solution to all who will lay aside their emotions and face reality. In presenting this overview of vertebrate pest management programs, I find I must dwell too frequently on "problems." This should not be interpreted as a pessimistic outlook. Sound data with professional guidance …


Dispersal And Some Implications For Control Of The California Ground Squirrel, Dennis C. Stroud Feb 1982

Dispersal And Some Implications For Control Of The California Ground Squirrel, Dennis C. Stroud

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

Data from current research and from the literature indicate that a knowledge of dispersal of the California ground squirrel can help to develop control strategy. An understanding of the rate and extent of dispersal may help reduce poor results due to patchy control. A knowledge of dispersal distance can help to determine the size of a buffer zone of control which may reduce the rate of reinvasion. The seasonal timing of dispersal is predictable in the California ground squirrel, and this can help to establish follow-up control.


A Comparison Of Selected Rodenticides For The Control Of The Common Valley Pocket Gopher (Thomomys Bottae), Barry R. Tickes, Lloyd K. Cheathem, John L. Stair Feb 1982

A Comparison Of Selected Rodenticides For The Control Of The Common Valley Pocket Gopher (Thomomys Bottae), Barry R. Tickes, Lloyd K. Cheathem, John L. Stair

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 10th (1982)

The common valley pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae) has become a serious agricultural pest in certain regions of the Lower Colorado River Basin. The mechanical burrow-builder is the most economical and effective method of controlling this pest although many growers and some researchers have reported less-than-satisfactory results when using this technique with currently available rodenticides. Six formulations of three toxicants including strychnine, zinc phosphide and diphacinone were applied with the burrow-builder to assess their efficacy. Results indicated that negligible control is achieved with 0.35 and 0.5% strychnine although these are the most commonly used formulations in Arizona. Diphacinone also produced negligible …