Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Predator Odors And Their Potential Role In Managing Pest Rodents And Rabbits, Thomas P. Sullivan, Druscilla S. Sullivan, Douglas R. Crump, Hal Weiser, Elisabeth A. Dixon

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

The snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus). several species of voles (Microtus spp.), the northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoidest. and the red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) cause serious damage to forest plantations and stands (and voles and pocket gophers in tree fruit orchards) by their feeding activities. Certain synthetic predator odors are reviewed which have produced significant avoidance responses in these pest species and reduced damage to crop trees on an experimental basis. In addition, the specific study reported in this paper was designed to assess the influence of predator odors on population density and survival of montane vole (M. montanus) populations in …

A Two Year Study Of The Physical And Economic Impact Of Voles (Microtus Montanus) On Mixed Maturity Apple (Malus Spp.) Orchards In The Pacific Northwestern United States, Leonard R. Askham

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

The physical impact of voles in agriculture and forestry has been duly noted by many researchers around the world. The economic impact of the various species, however, has not received much attention other than to note that losses from these animals can be substantial when population levels become high. This study assesses the economic impact of an extremely high population of Microtus montanus (mountain voles) in a large apple (Malus sp.) orchard in northcentral Washington State (U.S.A.) over a two-year period. In this study, 200 trees were harvested, weighed, graded, and compared by the amount of visual damage that could …

A Field Method For Assessing The Palatability Of Rodenticidal Baits, A. P. Buckle, D. E. Kaukeinen

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

Assessments of the palatability of rodenticide baits are usually conducted in the laboratory but little is known of the value of such tests as determinants of the potential performance of formulations in the field. Field bait acceptance tests conducted earlier were either unduly time-consuming or failed to take account of aspects of rodent behavior in relation to baiting regimes which make the interpretation of results difficult. This paper describes a novel, cost effective technique for assessing the palatability of baits in the field and the use of the new method to compare the acceptance of three commercial formulations, containing either …

An Evaluation Of Modified 4-Aminopyridine Baits For Protecting Sunflower From Blackbird Damage, C. Edward Knittle, John L. Cummings, George M. Linz, Jerome F. Besser

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

Bait preference studies with red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) in North Dakota sunflower fields indicated that sunflower seeds and a combination of sunflower seeds and chopped corn (MIX) were more successful in producing affected blackbirds, primarily red-winged blackbirds, than pearl barley or chopped corn used separately. A subsequent study compared the effectiveness of commercial Avitrol FC Corn Chops-99S to 4-aminopyridine-treated MIX-99S baits for reducing blackbird damage to ripening sunflower. Both baits significantly reduced damage in fields nearest a blackbird roost (within two miles), but were largely ineffective in fields farther than two miles from a roost. The ramifications of these results …

Controlling Wildlife Damage: Can Computers Help?, Leanne W. Las Arow

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

ABSTRACT: Expert systems, a new computer field, is presented as a method to make computers more useful and professionally relevant. Expert systems technology is discussed and is demonstrated to be available and affordable. A typical wildlife damage control problem is presented: species identification of a burrowing pest from a verbal description of a mound or burrow. Development of the expert system, BURROW, is outlined in step-by-step fashion, from statement of the problem, through translating knowledge into rules, to testing and review. Emphasis is placed on encouraging others to write simple expert systems to solve routine problems.

Flocoumafen -- A New Anticoagulant Rodenticide , M. Lund

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

ABSTRACT: Flocoumafen is a new anticoagulant rodenticide with an acute toxicity between that of bromadiolone and brodifacoum. It has performed well in field tests against house mice and susceptible as well as resistant brown rat populations. Danish lab tests reveal a considerable variation in susceptibility between rodent species and indicate that practical problems in the control of certain Scandinavian bromadiolone-resistant house mouse populations may arise shortly after introduction.

Comparative Evaluation Of Tamper-Proof Mouse Bait Stations, Karl D. Morris, Dale E. Kaukeinen

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

A method for the evaluation of mouse control using tamper-proof mouse bait stations was developed and efficacy trials conducted to determine if house mice (Mus musculus) would visit and consume rodenticidal baits located within these stations. All stations were rapidly investigated by mice. Variation seen between the individual stations related to animal variation and did not appear to be related to differences in the stations themselves. Station placement was more critical to mouse investigation and subsequent bait consumption from the station than were the various features used to prohibit non-target access.

Environmental Assessment Of Las Vegas Wash And Lake Mead Artificial Wetlands Demonstration Project, John R. Baker, R. M. Gersberg, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Publications (WR)

The effective use of artificial wetlands for treatment of municipal wastewater is well documented; however, design and economic data for artificial wetlands development are limited (Gersberg et al., 1984a). This is due partly to regional differences in climate, soils, and vegetation and partly to the desired waste treatment. As a result, specific treatment levels and cost benefits relative to the use of an artificial wetlands for a particular site cannot be evaluated adequately without a pilot demonstration project. Las Vegas Wash receives sewage effluent from the Las Vegas metropolitan area and has been designated as a wetlands community park. Las …

River Discharge Study, Laughlin, Nevada: Colorado River Model And Diffusion Study, B. Dennis Hugh, David L. Stringfield, Jill C. Bicknell, Robert A. Ryder, Clark County Sanitation District, Nevada

Publications (WR)

A water quality modeling study of the Mohave Reach of the Lower Colorado River (from Davis Dam to the Nevada/California Stateline) was conducted to evaluate potential water quality impacts resulting from a proposed Laughlin, Nevada wastewater effluent discharge. The study included four major components: (1) review of the current regulatory framework; (2) a field data collection program to document existing water quality conditions in winter, summer, and fall; (3) development and verification of far-field and near-field (mixing zone) water quality models; and (4) application of the models to project future river quality conditions for several treatment-discharge alternatives as well as …

Limnological Monitoring Data For Lake Mead During 1987: Technical Report No. 20, Larry J. Paulson

Publications (WR)

Limnological monitoring was conducted in Las Vegas Bay and Boulder Basin from April to December of 1987. The purpose of the monitoring was to (i) document possible changes in water quality resulting from decreased phosphorus loading in Las Vegas Wash, and (ii) establish a data base for evaluating the adequacy of water quality standards.

Changes In The Morphometry Of Las Vegas Wash And The Impact On Water Quality, Richard A. Roline, James J. Sartoris, U.S. Bureau Of Reclamation

Publications (WR)

Las Vegas Wash, a natural wash east of Las Vegas, Nevada, carries stormwater, groundwater drainage, and sewage effluent from two sewage treatment plants to Lake Mead. Over 80 percent of the normal discharge of approximately 3.4 m³/s (120 ft³/s) consists of effluent from the City of Las Vegas and Clark County sewage treatment plants. Beginning in the 1950s, a large wetland area developed along the wash that supported waterfowl populations and contributed to some water quality transformations. Heavy rains and subsequent flooding in the area in 1983 and 1984 resulted in erosion and channelization that greatly …

Carbon Dioxide Emissions And Fossil Fuel Consumption A Canadian Perspective, John Peter Doucet

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The potential climate change due to increased loading of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has emerged as one of the most significant environmental threats of the late twentieth century. An analysis of a variety of feasible energy demand scenarios for Canada indicates that if we continue to consume the same types and proportions of fuels as we do today, the expected demand for energy in the year 2005 would yield carbon dioxide emissions up to 52.5 per cent greater than that of 1985. On the other hand, if Canada were to alter the types and quantities of fuels required to …

River Discharge Study, Laughlin, Nevada: Field Survey Data, 1987, B. Dennis Hugh, David L. Stringfield, Jill C. Bicknell, Robert A. Ryder, Clark County Sanitation District, Nevada

Publications (WR)

A report of the first field data collection effort for the Laughlin River Discharge Study, conducted by Kennedy/Jenks/ChiIton in February, 1987, on the Mohave Reach of the Colorado River. This report also serves to transmit the laboratory analysis reports for all of the analyses performed and summary tables of the results.

This report is organized as follows:

1. Field Conditions and Methodology

2. Summary of Sampling and Analysis Results

3. Deviations from the Proposed Sampling Program

4. Recommendations for Future Sampling

5. Attachments:

A. Climatological Data

B. Davis Dam Average Hourly Releases

C. Laboratory Analysis Reports

Control Of Ring-Billed Gull Colonies At Urban And Industrial Sites In Southern Ontario, Canada, H. Blokpoel, G.D. Tessier

Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference: 3rd (1987)

At eight urban or industrial sites in southern Ontario colonies of Ring-billed Gulls (Larus delawarensis) were controlled to ameliorate problems caused by the adults and their young. At the Nanticoke Generating Station on Lake Erie a growing colony was eliminated by collecting eggs and subsequent harassment of adults. One colony at the Stelco Yards in Hamilton Harbor was eliminated by installing a gull exclosure and collecting eggs from nests outside the exclosure and another was controlled by frequently destroying nests and eggs. At Toronto Island Airport an incipient colony was controlled by collecting eggs and harassing adults. At …

State/Federal/Private Cooperative Program Relationships In Wildlife Damage Control, Rene M. Bollengier Jr.

Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference: 3rd (1987)

On December 19, 1985, Congress transferred the Animal Damage Control (ADC).program from Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Department of the Interior, to Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The transfer of personnel and equipment was officially completed on April 1, 1986. The transfer brought to USDA personnel with hundreds of years of collective animal damage control experience in agricultural and non-agricultural types of man/wildlife conflicts.

Categorization And Seasonal Periodicity Of Terrestrial Vertebrate Pest Control Inquiries In Virginiav, Harry J. Dutton, Jefferson L. Waldon, Peter L. Bromley

Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference: 3rd (1987)

Information requests for species-specific preventive and control measures directed to the state's extension wildlife specialist were recorded by species or species group, month, day, and year, and by type of human group inquiring. Skunks (15.5%), snakes (14.7%), and bats (10.9%) were inquired about most often. Homeowners (67.4%) were the most frequent inquirers. Summer (43.5%) and spring (29.0%) were the seasons when most information requests occurred. Woodpeckers (16.0%) were the most frequently reported species in the spring. In the summer, the most frequently requested information was about bats (20.2%). Snakes (29.7%) were the most frequently reported species in the fall. Over …

The Critter Control Concept Approaches Of A Firm Specializing In Nuisance Wildlife Control, Lynn Braband, Kevin Clark

Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference: 3rd (1987)

The private sector has been involved in certain aspects of nuisance wildlife control for some time. Examples include commensal rodent control by pest control companies, capture of nuisance furbearers by trappers, and repair of structural damage by carpenters. Social trends, such as increased urbanization, increased population of certain wildlife species, and decreased government funding have combined to provide increased opportunity and need for the private sector in nuisance wildlife control.

Critter Control, Inc. has sought to bring an integrated and specialized approach to nuisance wildlife control. Our general approach includes consultation on the nature of the nuisance situation, removal of …

Frogs Captured In Green Bean Harvest:Analysis Of A Pest Problem, Donald F. Caccamise

Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference: 3rd (1987)

In southern New Jersey a new agricultural pest problem has seriously impacted production of green beans for plant processing. Newly acquired harvesters inadvertently capture frogs, which are difficult and expensive to remove from harvested beans. Goals of this project were to (1) define the biological properties of the pest problem, and (2) identify biologically sound and effective methods to manage the problem.

Fowler's toad (Bufo woodhousei fowleri) was the most numerous (82%) of 9 species sorted from harvested beans, and it was also the most common in field censuses (76%). Density estimates based on field censuses were higher …

Involving Hunting And Trapping In Cooperative Wildlife Damage Control, Ed Hackett

Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference: 3rd (1987)

The perception of a wildlife damage problem may vary greatly among groups with a stake in the problem. To the deer hunter, there is no such problem as too many deer. To the farmer, in the midst of a personal economic disaster, one deer may seem too many. To the conservation officer (CO) who has spent a career building deer populations, the farmer's problem may be a sign of success. To the USDA-APHISADC staff member, solving the farmer's problem may be the most important issue. The key to resolving these conflicting views of the same event is to make each …

The Problem Of Planting Louisiana Swamplands When Nutria(Myocastqr Coypu) Are Present, W.H. Conner, J.R. Toliver

Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference: 3rd (1987)

Logging of baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) in the swamps of the southeastern United States is once again becoming common and an area of particular concern in Louisiana is the regeneration of cypress in its natural environment. One way to ensure the proper stocking of cypress is to plant seedlings, but nutria usually damage or destroy newly planted seedlings and are a deterrent to cypress regeneration in flooded areas. In 1985 cypress seedlings were planted in a flooded logged area and in an area where flooding was preventing the establishment of natural seedlings. Nutria destroyed 86% of the seedlings in …

Public Tolerance Of Deer In A Suburban Environment: Implications For Management And Control, Nancy A. Connelly, Daniel J. Decker, Sam Wear

Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference: 3rd (1987)

A mail survey of residents in suburban northern Westchester County, New York was conducted to determine the nature and extent of deer damage in the county, the importance of deer damage relative to other deer-human interactions, and residents' perceptions of costs and benefits associated with the deer herd. The estimated cost of damage to plantings was quite high, $6.4 million to $9.5 million (depending on the type of assumptions concerning non-respondents). Most respondents used some form of deer damage control (estimated to cost $1.2 to $1.8 million/year), but few people reported their problems to officials. Although these costs were high, …

Effectiveness Of Human Hair, Bgr, And A Mixture Of Blood Meal And Peppercorns In Reducing Deer Damage To Young Apple Trees, Michael R. Conover, Gary S. Kania

Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference: 3rd (1987)

We evaluated the ability of three repellents [human hair, Big Game Repellent (BGR), and a mixture of blood meal and peppercorns] to reduce deer damage on young apple trees in two Connecticut orchards. Most of the deer damage consisted of winter browsing on dormant apple buds. Little browsing occurred on leaves or buds during the growing season and only a few cases of pre-rut rubbing of trees were observed. In one orchard, buds were browsed during the winter on 52% of the untreated control trees, 45% of the trees sprayed with BGR, and 40% of the trees containing a hair …

Preliminary Testing Of A Selenium-Based Systemic Deer Browse Repellent, T.R. Angradi, W.M. Tzilkowski

Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference: 3rd (1987)

Silviculturists use a variety of techniques, including repellents, to reduce browse damage by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to valuable eastern hardwood seedlings. Systemic selenium, sodium selenite, was evaluated with captive white-tailed deer for its repellency in white ash (Fraxinus americana) and black cherry (Prunus serotina) seedlings. Selenium had no effect in reducing browsing of black cherry. However, there was a reduction (p<0.05) in the white ash browsing level.

Status Of The Coyote In The Northeastern United States, Robert E. Chambers

Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference: 3rd (1987)

This report represents a summary of information derived from responses to mail questionnaires from the state wildlife agencies in 16 northern states extending from Maine to Minnesota with minor modifications by the author where experience deemed it feasible.

Coyotes-historically present in prairie regions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan- have extended their range eastward to the Atlantic Ocean and are now present throughout most of the northeastern states with the exception of Delaware and the major metropolitan areas of Philadelphia and New York City. Of the eastern states only New York has suggested that their population may have arisen …

The Bird Strike Hazard (Bash) Program, Capt. Edgardo R. Farrraro, Capt. Russell P. Defusco

Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference: 3rd (1987)

The hazards birds pose to aircraft has been of concern to the Air Force for more than 20 years. After losing several aircraft due to bird strikes in the early 1960's, the Air Force formed a team to evaluate bird hazards to Air Force aircraft. The team, from the Air Force Weapons Laboratory (AFWL) at Kirtland AFB NM, handed over this mission to the Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) Team at HQ Air Force Engineering and Services Center (AFESC) at Tyndall AFB in 1975. In 1986 (October) the BASH team moved to Boiling AFB, Washington DC.

The Air Force sustains …

Management Of Suburban Deer: An Emerging Controversy, Daniel J. Decker

Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference: 3rd (1987)

During the last 10 years the presence of deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in suburban areas has become an increasing concern from the standpoint of damage and nuisance problems. It is unclear whether (a) overall deer numbers in suburban environments have increased (possibly because of residential development in "natural" settings and creation of food sources represented by residents' ornamental plantings and vegetable gardens), (b) more development in suburban areas has forced deer into adjacent remaining patches of suitable habitat, resulting in increased deer densities in certain localities, or (c) some combination of both. Regardless of the factors perpetrating the situation, …

Use Of Drc 1339 To Control Crows In Three Roosts In Kentucky And Arkansas, Frank L. Boyd, Douglas I. Hall

Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference: 3rd (1987)

Field tests utilizing DRC 1339 (3- chloro-4-methylbenzamine hydrochloride) 98% concentrate on whole kernel corn for crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) control were conducted in January and February 1981 in Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky, and in 1982 in Ashdown, Arkansas. Treated bait was placed in staging areas near the roosts after pre-baiting indicated good acceptance at the sites. The rate of acceptance varied with bait placement. Best results were obtained when bait was placed on bare ground at habitually used staging areas close to the roost site. Population reductions of up to 25% were obtained with limited baiting. DRC 1339 appears …

Temporal Use Patterns Of Wintering Starlings At A Southeastern Livestock Farm: Implications For Damage Control, J.F. Glahn, S.K. Timbrook, D.J. Twedt

Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference: 3rd (1987)

The farm use patterns of individually marked and transmitter-equipped starlings at a livestock farm in south-central Kentucky were studied each month during the principal damage period (December-February) of 1982-83 and 1984-85 following a pilot study in January and February of 1980. In addition to intensive observation at the farm, sightings of tagged starlings away from the farm were solicited from the public and mapped. For each year of data on individual starlings that used the farm at least once after marking, the expected frequencies of farm occurrence were calculated and compared to observed frequencies. In all 3 years, there was …

Urban Gray Squirrel Damage And Population Management: A Case History, J. Hadidian, D. Manski, V. Flyger, C. Cox, G. Hodge

Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference: 3rd (1987)

Lafayette Park, a 3.0 hectare national park located across the street from the White House in Washington D.C., has had a gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) density as high as 50 animals/hectare. In recent years this large population caused significant damage to mature trees and other vegetation. In keeping with the legislative mandate to protect and preserve the historic landscape in Lafayette Park, the National Park Service implemented a squirrel management program following an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. The population was studied and monitored to determine the ecological bases for high squirrel numbers. Action was taken through a …

Fox Squirrels Cause Power Outages: An Urban Wildlife Problem, J.C. Hamilton, R. J. Johnson, R. M. Case, M. W. Riley, W. W. Stroup

Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference: 3rd (1987)

In urban areas, power outages are caused each year by fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) that use electrical power equipment as travel lanes, rest sites, or for other activities. When a squirrel crosses a live bare wire on a transformer, the result is a blown fuse and electrocution of the squirrel. Power company outage reports were examined to determine when and where squirrel-caused outages occurred. Sixteen field sites in Lincoln were selected for study. Eight sites encircled transformers with ≥4 squirrel-caused outages, 1980-1985, and eight were adjacent control sites with no such outages. Squirrel behavior in relation to power …