Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Intoxication Of Domestic And Wild Animals By Anticoagulant Rodenticides — A Synthesis Of Data From The French National Veterinary Antipoison Center, G. Lorgue, K. Nahas, G. Keck, M. Rampaud

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)

During the period from 1980 to 1985 the laboratory of toxicological analysis associated with the National Veterinary Antipoison Center received 1,343 samples for research of anticoagulant rodenticide (e.g., 14.1% of total samples): 79% concerned animals, 31% baits. Six compounds marketed in France were investigated (warfarin, chlorophacinone, bromadiolone, difenacoum, coumachlore, coumatetralyl). In two-thirds of the samples, none of these substances could be found. Warfarin was by far the most incriminated rodenticide (23.1%), and dogs represented the most affected species (65.7%). However, its occurrence decreases regularly. The other compounds were found with a very low frequency (1 to 3%). In 70% of …

Barn Owls And Industry: Problems And Solutions, Lee R. Martin

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)

Three methods were explored to eliminate damage caused by owl pellets and fecal droppings: exclusion; trapping; and sound deterrents including abstract sound, biosonic sound, and high frequency sound.

Initial successful results of various types of sound diminished with time to the point that owls adapted and ignored all sound repellents within a short period. Exclusion techniques were ineffective as owls would find ways around, through or between any non-permanent structure blocking entry through warehouse openings. Live-trapping and relocating owls was the only effective technique tested in this experimental program. Three trap methods were found effective, but trap success diminished with …

Specifications For Wire Mesh Fences To Exclude The European Wild Rabbit From Crops, I. Gordon Mckillop, Harry W. Pepper, Charles J. Wilson

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)

The sizes of hexagonal and rectangular meshes needed to exclude all age classes of rabbits(Oryctolagus cuniculus) were 31 mm and 50 x 25 mm, respectively. In an enclosure, fences 0.75 m high excluded >90% of adult rabbits, a similar percentage to that obtained using the commonly accepted height of 0.9 m. In a subsequent field experiment using fences with a mesh size of 31 mm and heights of 0.9 m and 0.75 m, the numbers of rabbits seen on protected fields were reduced by about 80% for each height and therefore the 0.75-m-high fence was more cost-effective.

An Integrated Approach To Bubonic Plague Control In A Southwestern Plague Focus, Curtis E. Montman, Allan M. Barnes, Gary O. Maupin

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)

Plague is widespread among rodents and their fleas in the western United States, but most human cases occur in several definable, ecologically unique, and geographically limited high risk areas in the Southwest and Pacific Coast states. Control strategies to prevent human cases in high risk areas must vary from one epizootic focus to another, depending on such basic ecological factors as rodent/flea species involved; their distribution, abundance, seasonality, and relationship with the plague organism; climatic factors that affect transmission; the lifestyles of human residents; and others. This paper briefly summarizes preliminary results of a long-term program to define human risk …

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 Complexities At The Interface Among Domestic/Wild Rodents, Fleas, Pets, And Man In Urban Plague Ecology In Los Angeles, County, California, Bernard C. Nelson, Minoo B. Madon, Arthur Tilzer

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)

Bubonic plague was first found in Los Angeles County in 1908. The largest epidemic of pneumonic plague in the United States occurred in the county in 1924, and the last cases of plague associated with domestic rodents in the United States occurred here in 1925. Sporadic plague activity was recorded from 1925 to 1975. Since 1975, plague has been found annually and is now endemic in the San Gabriel Mountains and the interface, that area where suburban encroachment intermingles with wilderness areas along the southern edge of these mountains. Within these two areas, plague is amplified and is a risk …

Current Changes To Vertebrate Pest Management In New Zealand, Peter C. Nelson

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)

Vertebrate pest control in New Zealand is changing as a result of a reduction in state funding. Monetary assistance for control programs is being withdrawn at $0.8 million per year and currently is $5.4 million. This reduction affects several parts of the organization and the Agricultural Pests Destruction Council has initiated various programs to rationalize control. The major effect of reducing assistance is that the landowners have to contribute more money. The necessity of blanket control of rabbits is now questioned and two investigations are underway to determine the extent of the areas where rabbit control is required and demonstrate …

An Approach To The Design Of Target-Specific Vertebrate Pest Control Systems, Peter H. O'Brien

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)

Vertebrate pest control has the dual objectives of maximizing efficacy and minimizing nontarget hazard. The task in design is to make these objectives complementary, rather than mutually exclusive. Historically, vertebrate pest control has emphasized target control as a single objective, with nontarget impact a subsequent, secondary consideration. This sequence necessarily constrains the capacity of the design process to minimize nontarget impact.

I describe a framework for the design of vertebrate pest control which is based on comparative evaluation of the socioecology of target and potential nontarget species. Using this approach, control systems are designed which focus on and exploit identified …

Protection With Vexar Cylinders From Damage By Meadow Voles Of Tree And Shrub Seedlings In Northeastern Alberta, Ronald W. Pauls

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)

Vast areas of land will require reclamation and reforestation following oil sands development in northeastern Alberta. Greenhouse-grown tree and shrub seedlings used in reforestation may be clipped or girdled by meadow voles, especially during periods of high population density. The impact of partial girdling, the most common form of damage, varies among species. Reduced survival rates in seedlings girdled over as little as 50% of their circumference and reduced growth rates in seedlings girdled over as little as 25% of their circumference, have been noted. Plastic mesh cylinders (tradename Vexar) have proven effective in preventing seedling damage and durable in …

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 …

Bait Preference Field Study Of The California Ground Squirrel, Brenda D. Protopapas, A. Charles Crabb

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)

A bait preference field study of the California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi beecheyi) was performed involving the comparison of the following untreated bait formulations fed ad lib.: oat groats, Ramik Green, and ZP Rodent Ag Bait. The study was performed on rangeland at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California, from March 11, 1984, to September 15, 1984.

Poor bait quality problems occurred in the early period of the study (March 11 to May 17), resulting in poor acceptance of both Ramik and Ag Bait. A descriptive analysis of this period is discussed. The statistical analysis of …

Approaches To Small-Holder Rodent Control, C. G. J. Richards

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)

Rodents are now recognized as one of the most important pests damaging crops in countries as far apart as Indonesia, Tanzania and Venezuela (Benigno and Sanchez 1984, Taylor 1984, Williams and Vega 1984). Damage to crops such as rice may be devastating during periodic upsurges in rodent numbers, with yields often reduced by 50% or more. It is being increasingly recognized, however, that continual chronic losses, which commonly occur over very large areas, are economically more significant (Buckle et al. 1985), resulting in yield losses in the range of 5 to 10% of national crops every year in many countries …

Comparison Of Fumigant Gases Used For Rabbit Control In Great Britain, John Ross

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)

The two most commonly used fumigant formulations, one generating hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and the other phosphine (PH3), were compared in paired field trials using the spoon-gassing technique. The two formulations were equally effective in reducing rabbit numbers seen in spotlight counts. The PH3 generating formulation was more convenient and slightly cheaper to use. Safety and humaneness aspects of the two formulations are discussed and alternative formulations (generating HCN and PH3) are considered. The potential usefulness (for rabbit control) of some other fumigant gases is briefly reviewed.

Agriculture And Forestry Rodent Problems And Control In Italy, Luciano A. Santini

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)

Rodent pest problems and their control in Italy are reviewed. Two rats, Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus, and the field mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus, are often important pests both in rural and forestry areas. Other species, such as voles, Microtus arvalis and Microtus (Pitymys) savii, in orchards and in horticulture, and Sciurus vulgaris and Myoxus (Glis) glis in forestry, sometimes represent serious problems. For each species the kind of damage and control is recorded, and additional considerations are supplied to the public and private organizations responsible for rodent control.

Laboratory Efficacy Studies With Strychnine Baits On Pigeons, Edward F. Schafer Jr., Mary L. Eschen

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)

Pigeons held under a fall and spring photoperiod-temperature regime consumed a maximum of 16.9 to 21.4 kernels of whole corn per hour with an average ranging from 7.6 to 12.4 kernels per hour. Peak consumption occurred during the first and/or next to last hour of the day with a secondary, but smaller, peak around noon. Corn consumption ranged from 91 to 112 kernels/bird/day and approximated daily consumption equal to 10% of an average bird's mass.

The acute oral LD50 of strychnine alkaloid to pigeons was estimated to be 7.73 mg/kg (95% Confidence Interval of 6.75 to 8.85). The LD90 was …

Rodent Control In East Africa, William R. Smythe

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)

The nations of East Africa consist of Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. They encompass a widely varied topography, from coral strands to snow-capped mountains, rain forests to deserts, and tropical to temperate. In all these areas where soil and rainfall patterns permit, agricultural crops are grown. For the most part farming is of a subsistence nature being small single family plots. These farms make up to 90% of the farming in most of the East African nations. There are large farms in Kenya and Zimbabwe generally confined to the temperate uplands. Elsewhere there are large government …

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 …

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 …

Approaches To Coot Management In California, Valerie Van Way

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)

Coot depredations have been documented in California since 1886, and shooting has been relied on as the principal means of mitigating damage. Immobilizing agents continue to offer promise as useful nonlethal tools for population reduction programs. Exploration of the use of tribromoethanol in coot capture is described, and the potential for other bird management techniques is discussed.

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

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 …

Efficacy Of A Carbon Monoxide Gas Cartridge Against Field Rodents, Deng Zhi, Zhao Wu Chang

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 12th (1986)

Efficacy data of a gas cartridge are reported. The gas cartridge contains 50 g of potassium nitrate (27.5 g, 55%) mixed with sawdust (22.5 g, 45%). When ignited, it generates large amounts of carbon monoxide (avg. 23.46%) and carbon dioxide (avg. 26.26%). A mimic field trial was carried out on a winter day. The air temperature averaged 1.2°C, ranging from -3.3°C to +5°C. Sixteen adult albino rats were killed within 3 minutes exposure in a man-made burrow system, 200 cm long, with an inside diameter of 8 cm.

Field trials were conducted in different parts of China, and there were …

An Overview Of Minnesota's Role In The Federal Nuclear Waste Disposal Process, Gregg Larson

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

High-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Siting: A Political Process, James Pehler

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

A Geographer's Response To The 1982 Nuclear Waste Policy Act, Robert Bixby

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Citizen Participation In Siting A High-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility, Barbara J. Johnson

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

In order to have a successful radioactive waste management and disposal program, the federal government must build public confidence and trust in the siting process (1). To do this three requirements must be met: 1) the program must be technically feasible; 2) the program must be politically palatable; and 3) the program must be societally acceptable.

Citizen participation is necessary to ensure that a radioactive waste management program is accepted by society and is politically feasible. Citizen involvement indirectly impacts technical feasibility by addressing the ethical and moral implications of nuclear waste disposal, thus helping to establish the parameters of …

The U.S. Department Of Energy's Crystalline Repository Project- A Technical Overview, Edward S. Patera

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Geological Review Of Department Of Energy Proposed Sites In Minnesota For High-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal, Brenda Lorinser

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

The Department of Energy (DOE) proposed three potentially acceptable sites for high-level radioactive waste disposal in Minnesota. These sites were chosen on the basis of the nature of the exposed or near surface crystalline rock bodies they contain. However, the accuracy of the data used by the DOE in choosing these sites is variable, from excellent to poor.

Biological Control Of Parkinsonia, W M. Woods

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

One of the most troublesome weeds in northern Australia'a lastoral country is Parkinsonia aculeata, commonly called Parkinsonia, Jerusalem Thorn, Palo Verde or Retama. In 983 Western Australia, ueensland and the Northern Territory started a joint biological control programme against this perst by sending the author overseas to search for its natural predators in southern USA, Mexico and Central America. A few insects show promise and one, a bruchid beetle Mimosetes ulkei, is being tested under Quarantine in Queensland.

Grazing And Management Of Saltland Shrubs, C V. Malcolm, J. E. Pol

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

areas of bare saltland on farms need not be unproductive etesores. Many Western Australian farmers are now successfully growing salt-tolerant or halophytic shrubs such as bluebush (Maireana brevifolia), saltbushes (Atriplex spp.) and samphires (Halosarcia spp.) on these areas.

Department of agriculture trials and farmers' experience indicate that if saltland is planted with recommended shrubs, it can provide two months' valuable grazing for sheep during autumn and early winter, a time when paddock feed is scarce. Research by the Department has also identified a range of salt-tolerant shrubs suited to the various types of saltland.

Grazing trials to …