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Full-Text Articles in Environmental Health and Protection
Plagues Of The House Mouse In South Eastern Australia, Glen Saunders
Plagues Of The House Mouse In South Eastern Australia, Glen Saunders
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
Plagues of the house mouse (Mus musculus) occur at irregular intervals throughout the agricultural regions of south-eastern Australia. This paper discusses these phenomena in terms of their impact on agricultural production, previous attempts to reduce damage and levels of infestation, and associated environmental implications. Consideration is also given to the accurate prediction of mouse plagues and the control strategies which need to be in place if effective management is to become a reality.
Why Do Possums Survive Aerial Poisoning Operations?, D. R. Morgan, C. L. Batcheler, J. A. Peters
Why Do Possums Survive Aerial Poisoning Operations?, D. R. Morgan, C. L. Batcheler, J. A. Peters
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
Major causes of failure of aerial poisoning operations against possums identified were: sublethal toxic loading, undersize sublethal baits, nonlearned behavioral aversion to 1080, and failure to encounter bait. Dislike of bait was not a major cause of failure. Progress has been made towards solving these problems, but failure to encounter bait remains a likely major reason for possums surviving aerial poisoning. Improvements in the aerial sowing of bait are essential if the full benefit of this progress is to be realized.
Pest Bird Control With The Avicide Bcf 7000-Sun Oil Refinery Project, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Charles W. Areson
Pest Bird Control With The Avicide Bcf 7000-Sun Oil Refinery Project, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Charles W. Areson
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
The Sun Refinery at Tulsa presented a new and special type of problem that I had never faced before. The refinery is just across the Arkansas River from downtown Tulsa. Many species of protected birds roost and nest within the confines of the refinery proper and in the surrounding river bank areas to the north, urban and manufacturing area to the east and southeast, rail yards to the south, and hills to the south and southwest. According to Sidney Cabbiness, Environmental Egineer for Sun, the following birds and other animals are known to make this area their home or feeding …
Secondary Toxicity Of Coyotes Killed By 1080 Single-Dose Baits, Richard J. Burns, Guy E. Connolly, Iwao Okuno
Secondary Toxicity Of Coyotes Killed By 1080 Single-Dose Baits, Richard J. Burns, Guy E. Connolly, Iwao Okuno
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
Carcasses and viscera of coyotes poisoned by Compound 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) in single-dose tallow baits (SDBs) were fed to 3 coyotes, 3 domestic dogs, 4 striped skunks, and 15 black-billed magpies to determine if these species would be poisoned secondarily. Test subjects received no food other than tissues from poisoned coyotes for periods of 14 to 35 days. Total amounts of contaminated coyote tissues consumed by dogs, coyotes, skunks, and magpies, respectively, averaged 67, 152, 117, and 371% of body weight. Except for one skunk that refused to eat, no mortalities occurred and no evidence of poisoning was seen. The …
An Integrated Pest Management Approach To Roof Rat Control In Oceanfront Riprap, Ventura County, California, Daniel P. Claffey, Minoo B. Madon, Randall T. Smith
An Integrated Pest Management Approach To Roof Rat Control In Oceanfront Riprap, Ventura County, California, Daniel P. Claffey, Minoo B. Madon, Randall T. Smith
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
During the summer months of 1979, public agencies in Ventura County received complaints which pointed to a rodent infestation of campground areas along the north coastal strip. Investigations revealed a widespread infestation of oceanfront riprap by roof rats (Rattus rattus). Visual surveillance, trapping, baiting and population-estimating techniques and results are described and discussed. Implementation of integrated pest management practices resulted in the reduction of rat populations to a no-complaint level and provided a framework for a long-term maintenance program.
Bird Problems In California Pistachio Production, A. Charles Crabb, Terrell P. Salmon, Rex E. Marsh
Bird Problems In California Pistachio Production, A. Charles Crabb, Terrell P. Salmon, Rex E. Marsh
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
In 1984 studies were initiated to identify the bird species causing damage to pistachio nuts, quantify the losses, and explore possible methods for alleviating bird losses. The first year's field observations were made to identify and determine the level of activity of the various depredating bird species in the orchard. Field samples of nuts were collected to assess the levels of damage occurring in representative orchards. A mail survey of all commercial pistachio growers in California was conducted to determine which bird species growers believed were the cause of nut losses, the extent of damage they have experienced and what, …
Evaluating A Pop-Up Scarecrow Coupled With A Propane Exploder For Reducing Blackbird Damage To Ripening Sunflower, John L. Cummings, C. Edward Knittle, Joseph L. Guarino
Evaluating A Pop-Up Scarecrow Coupled With A Propane Exploder For Reducing Blackbird Damage To Ripening Sunflower, John L. Cummings, C. Edward Knittle, Joseph L. Guarino
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
A combination Purivox® Double-John carousel propane exploder and CO2 pop-up scarecrow operated in synchrony was evaluated in five ripening sunflower fields in 1981 and 1982, respectively, near Devils Lake and Westhope, North Dakota. In each field, this treatment was evaluated in an alternating off-on sequence of 5-day intervals for a period of 20 days. In 1981, devices were deployed at one unit per 8 to 10 acres and in 1982 at one unit per 4 to 6 acres. The degree of effectiveness for reducing bird damage in three of five fields that met selection criteria ranged from 71 to 87% …
Batproofing Structures With Birdnetting Checkvalves, Stephen C. Frantz
Batproofing Structures With Birdnetting Checkvalves, Stephen C. Frantz
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
Denial of re-entry (batproofing) through structural modification is widely accepted as the most effective and ecologically sound method for eliminating commensal bats from structures. Such methods are clearly superior to lethal measures which have only questionable efficacy and may exacerbate bat/human interactions. However, since bats are able to enter small and obscure openings, conventional batproofing of all such openings is often not practical or economical. Further since this work must usually be done after bats have already begun roosting in a structure, the difficulty of high ladder work at night to seal exit holes can be discouraging to homeowners as …
Salmon Poisoning Disease: Research On A Potential Method Of Lethal Control For Coyotes, Jeffrey S. Green, Brad R. Leamaster, William J. Foreyt, Roger A. Woodruff
Salmon Poisoning Disease: Research On A Potential Method Of Lethal Control For Coyotes, Jeffrey S. Green, Brad R. Leamaster, William J. Foreyt, Roger A. Woodruff
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
Salmon poisoning disease (SPD) was tested as a potential method of lethal control for coyotes (Canis latrans). Fresh fish containing the agents for SPD was fed to 72 captive adult coyotes. Coho (Oncorhunchus kisutch) and steel head salmon (Salmo gairdneri) from Oregon hatcheries were the principal species of fish used. Coyotes that ate the fish developed observable signs of SPD in a mean of 8 days. The overall rate of mortality was 50%, and death occurred in a mean of 20 days from consuming fish. Coyotes that died from SPD lost a mean of …
Wildlife Damage In Conservation Tillage Agriculture: A New Challenge, Ron J. Johnson
Wildlife Damage In Conservation Tillage Agriculture: A New Challenge, Ron J. Johnson
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
Conservation-tillage farming systems have changed agriculture and brought new challenges to the wildlife damage field. Associated minor problems may result from the presence of rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) or badgers (Taxidea taxus), but sprout-pulling damage by birds has not been reported. Rodents dig and consume newly planted corn. At least 14 small mammal species have been captured in notillage cornfields, some species throughout fields and others primarily at edges. Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) generally have been the most abundant, comprising 71 to 93% of total captures. Small mammal populations in no-tillage fields are generally no …
A Review Of Brodifacoum Efficacy In The U.S. And Worldwide, Dale E. Kaudeinen, Michael Rampaud
A Review Of Brodifacoum Efficacy In The U.S. And Worldwide, Dale E. Kaudeinen, Michael Rampaud
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
It was just over 10 years ago with the paper by Hadler and Shadbolt (1975) that a series of novel anticoagulants, which included brodifacoum, was announced. Today, after a decade of brodifacoum study and experience, the value of this compound in vertebrate pest management, particularly in rodent control, can scarcely be questioned. In order to most effectively build upon this experience, a thorough review of the literature for the period of 1975 to 1985 was undertaken to also include much unpublished information available to the authors. Undoubtedly to a greater extent than any other new vertebrate pesticide, brodifacoum has been …
The Effectiveness Of Strychinie Laced Alfalfa On Pocket Gopher Activity In Diamond Valley, Nevada, Steven R. Lewis, John O'Brien
The Effectiveness Of Strychinie Laced Alfalfa On Pocket Gopher Activity In Diamond Valley, Nevada, Steven R. Lewis, John O'Brien
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
The Townsend pocket gopher, (Thomomys townsendi), poses a serious economic threat to alfalfa production in Diamond Valley, Nevada. Many control methods have been practiced with only limited or seasonal success. Application of strychnine-treated alfalfa hay has been an effective control method; however, the relationship between strychnine concentration and pocket gopher kill has not been examined. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of three concentrations (0.5%, 1.0% and 1.7%) of strychnine-treated alfalfa hay baits. The three strychnine levels and untreated control were replicated three times on twelve 0.8-ha (2.0-ac) plots. Plots were located on a 6-year-old stand …
Keynote Address—Changing Times For Animal Damage Control, James O. Lee Jr.
Keynote Address—Changing Times For Animal Damage Control, James O. Lee Jr.
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
Times do change! USDA's Animal and Plant Health Service, or APHIS, is now in the process of taking over the animal damage control program from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The transfer will be completed by April 1. This is the opposite of what was happening back in 1939. At that time, a government reorganization plan resulted in the transfer of the Bureau of Biological Survey—-forerunner of Fish and Wildlife Service--from Agriculture to Interior; and with it went the ADC program. We're pleased to have the ADC program back at Agriculture. We never lost interest in it. While the …
New Potential Diagnostic Methods For Identifying Anticoagulant Rodenticide Poisoning In Dogs And Other Nontarget Animals, Michael E. Mount
New Potential Diagnostic Methods For Identifying Anticoagulant Rodenticide Poisoning In Dogs And Other Nontarget Animals, Michael E. Mount
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
Analytical methods for anticoagulants are complex and encumbered with highly sophisticated instrumentation for determination of anticoagulant concentrations. This greatly limits the application of anticoagulant measurement in biological samples as a diagnostic criteria to determine anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning. In the field of veterinary medicine, clinical laboratory measurements of the coagulation status in viable patients have been used historically as the means to make a diagnosis of anticoagulant poisoning. Nontarget animals (companion animals, e.g., dogs and cats; livestock; or wildlife), which are found dead in the context of an anticoagulant application area, are a tremendous diagnostic challenge in spite of postmortem evidence …
The Status Of Bromadiolone In The United States, Richard M. Poche
The Status Of Bromadiolone In The United States, Richard M. Poche
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
The anticoagulant rodenticide bromadiolone is used throughout the U.S. under a number of trade names. An expanded research program is underway within Chempar to examine the use of bromadiolone in commensal and field rodent control. Data are presented herein on the toxicology, metabolism, secondary hazards, efficacy, and formulation developments with bromadiolone. A new Maki 0.001% liquid bait is being tested and excellent control results obtained against Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus), roof rats (R. rattus), and house mice (Mus musculus). New Maki paraffin blocks containing 50 ppm bromadiolone have been developed and are soon to …
An Economic Threshold Model For House Mouse Damage To Insulation, Robert M. Timm, Daryl D. Fisher
An Economic Threshold Model For House Mouse Damage To Insulation, Robert M. Timm, Daryl D. Fisher
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
Commensal rodents have become increasingly troublesome and damaging pests in insulated structures. Modern poultry and livestock confinement buildings in the Midwest often have insulated walls and ceilings. These buildings usually provide an optimum habitat for rats and mice; the rodents gnaw, tunnel through, and nest in the insulation, decreasing its insulative value. Such structures are known to be heavily damaged within a matter of months when commensal rodents have access to wall spaces and attics. We have developed an economic threshold model to help livestock producers or building managers decide when to conduct house mouse (Mus musculus) control …
Predator Damage Control: 1980 To 1986, Dale A. Wade
Predator Damage Control: 1980 To 1986, Dale A. Wade
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
This discussion is an update from Wade (1980) which summarized executive and other decisions relating to cancellation of the predacides in 1972. This review continues that summary of major events from January 1980 to the present. Major political factors, predator damage control, and research findings during this period are briefly discussed. A chronology of administrative and judicial decisions and related events is appended (Appendix A).
Rodent Problems Of The West Indies, John O. Williams
Rodent Problems Of The West Indies, John O. Williams
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
The commensal rodents as we know them are an introduced species into the West Indies. They came with the first explorers from Europe and the first slaves from Africa and were spread not only in the West Indies but North and South America as well. The first record of attempts at their control was in Barbados in the 1700s when two pence was paid for each rat caught. Active control has been going on in the islands since the 1960s and 1970s with only partial success. The Pan American Health Organization is now assisting many of the governments with their …
Trends Of Predator Losses Of Sheep And Lambs From 1940 Through 1985, Clair E. Terrill
Trends Of Predator Losses Of Sheep And Lambs From 1940 Through 1985, Clair E. Terrill
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
Mortality of sheep and lambs from all causes and from predator losses from 1940 through 1985 for the United States is presented including economic aspects. Lamb losses from all causes were 9% of the lamb crop in 1940 and were generally higher thereafter and reached a peak in 1978 of 14%. Losses of sheep 1 year old and older from all causes were 7.5% in 1940 remained somewhat higher through the '60s and then declined to a low of 5.2% in 1985. Calculation of predator losses were based on an upward trend of lamb losses relative to sheep losses with …
Integrative Models Of Poisoning Vertebrate Pests, J. Hone
Integrative Models Of Poisoning Vertebrate Pests, J. Hone
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
Strategies for the control of vertebrate pest are identified using mathematical models of poisoning. The models integrate aspects of foraging ecology and toxicology in a probabilistic framework. The structure, assumptions and control implications of the models are presented. Variables (control parameters) influencing the probability that a pest animal dies in a poison program are identified and classified according to their degree of operator control. Control strategies suggested by the models are identified, and practical means of applying them are discussed. The models suggest that the probability that an animal dies is a function of 15 to 17 control parameters, of …
Conference Participants
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
The Conference totalled 372 registered attendees. The participants came from 31 states, the District of Columbia, and 13 other countries: Australia, Canada, China, Ethiopia, France, Israel, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Trinidad, United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe. Students from Sudan and Taiwan were also in attendance. The wide representation from the United States and from countries throughout the world contributed to the success of the Conference by providing a highly diversified group for the exchange of ideas and information.
Opening Remarks—Twelfth Vertebrate Pest Conference, Terrell P. Salmon
Opening Remarks—Twelfth Vertebrate Pest Conference, Terrell P. Salmon
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
On behalf of the Vertebrate Pest Council, welcome to the 12th Vertebrate Pest Conference. Every other year since 1962, the Vertebrate Pest Council has sponsored the conference with the primary objective of bringing individuals interested in vertebrate pest control together to discuss problems and solutions of mutual concern. The main objectives of the conference are: 1. To exchange information on vertebrate pest management and related matters. 2. To advance environmentally safe vertebrate pest management methodologies. 3. To build cooperation with public and private agencies in solving vertebrate pest problems. 4. To consider and promote discussion and interaction among agencies and …
Field Evaluation Of Single And Multiple Dose Anticoagulant Rodenticides In Reducing Rodent Populations And Damages In Coconut Plantations, Ranjan Advani
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
Comparative efficacy of brodifacoum, bromadialone (second-generation single-dose anticoagulant) was evaluated in a coconut crop on Minicoy Island. Pre- and postrodent control relative levels of rodent populations and damages were recorded as indices for assessing effectiveness of different concentrations and different bait formulations of three rodenticides. The black rat, Rattus rattus (Linnaeus), constituting a new record for Minicoy Island, was the predominant rodent species infesting the coconut crop. On an average, application of brodifacoum (.005% and .002%), bromadialone (.005% and .002%) and warfarin (0.025%) reduced rodent populations by 74.5, 73.58, 79.1, 69.16 and 68.44% respectively, resulting in reduction of rodent damages …
The Economic Importance And Control Of Vertebrate Pests Of Graminaceous Crops With Particular Reference To Rice (Oryza Sativa) In Nigeria—A Review, Modupe Akande
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
Graminaceous crops, especially rice (Oryza sativa), have within the last years in Nigeria, surged to be of utmost economic importance, not in improving the economy but in depleting the country of fast foreign exchange. Attempts at improving and massively increasing the production and cultivation of rice (and other graminaceous crops) to meet the enormous demand have proved abortive. This is mainly a result of the ineffective control measures applied against destructive avian pests that sometimes reduce rice plantations to nothing. Much research is still needed to enhance better and effective control strategies.
Strychine-Salt Blocks For Controlling Porcupines In Pine Forests: Efficacy And Hazards, R. Michael Anthony, James Evans, Gerald D. Lindsey
Strychine-Salt Blocks For Controlling Porcupines In Pine Forests: Efficacy And Hazards, R. Michael Anthony, James Evans, Gerald D. Lindsey
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
Strychnine-salt blocks were evaluated for effectiveness in killing porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) in pine forests in Oregon and California. Radio-collared porcupines were exposed to strychnine-salt bait located on trees and on the ground in covered bait stations called "cubbies." Bait blocks placed in trees and in cubbies were poorly accepted by porcupines. Only 4 of 32 marked porcupines exposed to bait were poisoned. Two died at cubbies and two died at trees. Other wildlife found poisoned at cubbies were seven unmarked porcupines, seven yellow-pine chipmunks (Tamias amoenus), five Nuttall's cottontails (Sylvilagus nuttallii), four deer mice …
Anticoagulant Translocation And Plant Residue Studies In Crops, Leonard R. Askham
Anticoagulant Translocation And Plant Residue Studies In Crops, Leonard R. Askham
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
Three types of assessment techniques explore the possible environmental hazards of two anticoagulant compounds currently used for rodent control. In the first, rheological methodologies were used to assess the ability of pelletized baits to withstand precipitation. From these data, objective information was developed to assist agricultural producers to select a proper bait for a specific climatic period. Bioanalytical evaluations of chlorophacinone indicated that the compound decomposes when exposed to ultraviolet light into four nontoxic elements. Hence, if translocation were to occur, the elements—-not the parent compound—-would be the likely candidates. Finally, radioactive (14C) braomdiolone was tested for translocatability. From the …
Eradication And Control Of Feral And Free-Ranging Dogs In The Galapagos Islands, Bruce D. Barnett
Eradication And Control Of Feral And Free-Ranging Dogs In The Galapagos Islands, Bruce D. Barnett
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
Islands are notorious for the ease with which the balance of their natural communities can be upset by the introduction of organisms from other areas. Introduced species can establish themselves quickly and successfully at the expense of native flora and fauna because the usual checks to their increase found in their home environments are often absent on islands. Many island organisms are ill-fitted to withstand predation by or competition with introduced organisms. A characteristic of some island species that increases their vulnerability to introduced predators is their relative "fearlessness". As Darwin (1845) prophetically wrote when describing the extraordinary tameness of …
Advances In The Integrated Control Of The European Rabbit In South Australia, John R. W. Burley
Advances In The Integrated Control Of The European Rabbit In South Australia, John R. W. Burley
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
In South Australia, success in control of the European rabbit has been based on an understanding of rabbit biology and behavior. Drastic population reduction is obtained by use of Compound 1080. This method is much more effective when carried out during midsummer to late autumn. At this time, territorial boundaries are relaxed and the young have been weaned and are feeding aboveground. To ensure that the greatest number of rabbits can receive a lethal dose, it is necessary to pre-feed the population with un-poisoned bait over a period of 8 to 10 days. Oat grain has been chosen as the …
An Urban Roof Rat Control Program In Orange County, California, Gilbert L. Challet
An Urban Roof Rat Control Program In Orange County, California, Gilbert L. Challet
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
A program to control roof rats (Rattus rattus) has been conducted by the Orange County Vector Control District since 1975. Orange County is located in southern California just south of Los Angeles and is composed of 782 square miles of coastal foothills and alluvial plain with a population of 2 million. Urbanization takes up about one-half the total area and it is mainly a semi-desert situation with usually less than 15 inches of rain a year. However, because of the balmy temperature and imported water, vegetation grows rampant. Vegetation is used by the rats as harborage (Algerian ivy, …
Alternate Toxicants For The M-44 Sodium Cyanide Ejector, Guy Connolly, Richard J. Burns, Gary D. Simmons
Alternate Toxicants For The M-44 Sodium Cyanide Ejector, Guy Connolly, Richard J. Burns, Gary D. Simmons
Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)
The M-44 sodium cyanide (NaCN) ejector is an important tool for coyote damage control. For greatest effectiveness, the ejected NaCN mixture must be a dry powder. NaCN readily absorbs and reacts with moisture to cause solidification or "caking" in M-44 capsules. Because it is difficult to seal the capsules water tight, caking has been a chronic problem ever since NaCN ejectors were introduced over 40 years ago. The toxicity and caking properties of three alternate compounds are reported in this paper. Comparative toxicity tests were made with M-44 ejectors containing NaCN, potassium cyanide (KCN), calcium cyanide (CaCN), and methomyl. Five …