Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Hawaiian Sugar Cane Rat Control Methods And Problems, William R. Smythe

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

The problem of rats in our Hawaiian sugar cane fields has been with us for a long time. Early records tell of heavy damage at various times on all the islands where sugar cane is grown. Many methods were tried to control these rats. Trapping was once used as a control measure, a bounty was used for a time, gangs of dogs were trained to catch the rats as the cane was harvested. Many kinds of baits and poisons were used. All of these methods were of some value as long as labor was cheap. Our present day problem started …

Forest Animal Damage Control, Nelson B. Kverno

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

As a nation we have gained world recognition for our ability to utilize our resources. In forestry our greatest accomplishments have been in the mechanization of harvest methods and in improvements in forest products. The renewal of this resource has been our greatest neglect. Though the end of the 19th Century marked the beginning of the conservation movement, it was not until a half century later that the force of economics through the demands of a growing population made forest re-establishment more than just a desire. Conservation in itself is a Utopian concept which requires other motivating forces to make …

Rabbit Control, Warren V. Johnson

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

Common California rabbits comprise two major genera. One, the genus Sylvilagus, or true rabbit, is represented by the cottontail and brush rabbits. The second of the two major genera is the genus Lepus, or hares. These are erroneously called the jack rabbits and snow shoe rabbits. The common jack rabbit, Lepus californicus, is the most familiar one throughout California and portions of some of the other western states. Because of their size and abundance, they are by far the most destructive - so emphasis will be placed on this species throughout the balance of this report. The diet of the …

Bait Mixing Equipment Used In Vertebrate Pest Control, Percy F. Wright

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

I would like to discuss with you the reason why agricultural commissioners are in the poison bait business. The following are excerpts from the Agricultural Code of the State of California. Section 100 describes a pest as follows: "Pest means any of the following that is, or is liable to be dangerous or detrimental to the agricultural industry of this State" and for the purpose of this talk only part two of this section is cited which states, "any form of animal life." This is the part which covers vertebrate pests. Section 102 states, "Each commissioner is an enforcing officer …

Roof Rat Populations In Santa Clara County, California, Dean H. Ecke

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

Northern Santa Clara County, California, was historically an agricultural community with orchard culture dominating the economy. Prunes, apricots, walnuts, and cherries were the principal crops. Orchards were disced clean during most of the summer growing season, and a cover crop of mustard or horse beans was grown beneath the trees in winter. About the only "natural" year around cover on the valley floor was the brush and grass which volunteered along the several creek banks. Under such conditions, roof rats (Rattus rattus) were not numerous. An occasional rat colony could be found in a fruit processing shed or in some …

Bats: Their Public Health Importance And Control With Special Reference To Trinidad, Arthur M. Greenhall

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

This brief review of the public health importance and control of bats is oriented to Trinidad, where, during the past ten years I investigated their zoomedical importance (1). Trinidad is noted for Pawan's classic epidemiological studies of bat rabies (2,3) as well as its bat control program with which I have been associated since its inception in 1934 (4). Further, Trinidad has bat problems, in addition to rabies, which occur in other countries of the world. Although various methods of bat control have been developed in Trinidad, the field is virtually unexplored. Increasingly, bat control is a matter of paramount …

Animal Control In New Zealand, Walter E. Howard

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

New Zealand has a multiplicity of challenging animal-control problems, and all of them concern animals which man has intentionally introduced either for sport, food or fur. Since the beginning of European settlement in the 19th Century, approximately 53 species of mammals and 125 species of birds have been deliberately or accidentally introduced into New Zealand, and 34 birds and 31 mammals have become established (Wodzicki, 1950). The principal reasons the exotic big game animals (Riney, 1955), fur bearers and feral domestic livestock have been so destructive to certain habitats in New Zealand are because 1) some of the soils are …

Occupational Hazards To Pest Control Operators With Special Reference To Pesticides, Irma West M.D.

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

With the help of one of your expert operators I have selected eight pesticides which I understand are widely used in vertebrate pest control, and with one exception, pose substantial safety problems for operators. These pesticides are the anticoagulants, zinc phosphide, 1080, strychnine, thallium sulfate, anhydrous ammonia, carbon disulfide, and methyl bromide. Except for the anticoagulants, it would be hard to assemble a more lethal group of chemicals. I wonder if the talents of chemical research should not be brought into this picture more actively, so that less hazardous materials could be developed for vertebrate pest control. Perhaps the economic …

Antifertility Agents In Vertebrate Pest Control, Donald S. Balser

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

There is an increasing need for new means of population control from the simplest organisms up to the larger mammalian species (include man if you wish.) A number of interesting and promising leads, such as environmental manipulation, introduction of predators, diseases, parasites, etc., and particularly antifertility agents, have been proposed for some time, but research into the latter approach in mammal control is quite recent and limited. The use of toxic agents has long been the principal method of vertebrate population con¬trol, but the potential for the use of antiferti1ity agents to suppress reproduction may provide an important advancement. I …

Diseases Derived From Wildlife, Harald Norlin Johnson M.D.

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

The specific diseases of man known to be derived from wildlife in California are: rabies, Western encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, Colorado tick fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, relapsing fever, 0. fever, plague, tularemia, murine typhus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, psittacosis, leptospirosis, salmonellosis and toxoplasmosis. A variety of bacterial infections may be contracted from wild animals, notably those caused by Pasteurella pseudotuberculosis, Pasteurella multocida, Bacillus anthracis, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Clostridium tetani and Listerella monocyto-genes. Certain of the fungus diseases such as coccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis are derived from exposure to wildlife habitats. California virus has been isolated from arthropods and Rio Bravo virus from bats …

The Evolution Of Plague Control In California, Keith F. Murray

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

Bubonic plague no longer is regarded as the dreaded black death of the middle ages. The last great plague pandemic has come to an end. In California, human cases have averaged no more than one every two years for several decades. With modern antibiotics properly administered, recovery is assured. At the same time, there is no doubt that plague is firmly entrenched in the rodent fauna and we should not be lulled even by years of quiescence into assuming that massive epizootics will not break out in the future. There is the un-measurable risk of a quick pneumonic outbreak with …

Highlights Of Bird Control Research In England, France, Holland, And Germany, John L. Seubert

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

The purpose of this paper is to present a brief review of the research being conducted in England, France, Germany, and The Netherlands on problems caused by nuisance and depredating birds. Much of the information presented has been obtained through correspondence with collaborators. In the fall of 1962, I discussed depredating bird and bird-airport problems with research workers in these countries, and also attended the meeting of the International Union of Applied Ornithology held in Frankfurt/Main. In November 1963, I attended an international symposium about the bird-airport problem, held in Nice, France. This paper will draw attention to the current …

Closing Remarks: Second Vertebrate Pest Control Conference, Maynard W. Cummings

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

The Second Vertebrate Pest Control Conference is concluded. We hope it has been, in some measure, educational and worthwhile to each one of you. Many of you who are here attended the first conference, which was held in Sacramento two years ago. The obvious spirit displayed at that meeting, a genuine intense interest in absorbing new knowledge presented by the speakers, the warmth of making and renewing acquaintances among fellow workers and the enjoyment of the truly rare opportunity to exchange information in this special field, vertebrate pest control, has, I feel, been reenacted here. For these reasons this second …

Second Vertebrate Pest Control Conference: Contents, Schedule, And Participants

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

PROCEEDINGS SECOND VERTEBRATE PEST CONTROL CONFERENCE
Charter House Hotel Anaheim, California March 4 and 5, 1964
SPONSOR:California Vertebrate Pest Control Technical Committee
GENERAL CHAIRMAN OF CONFERENCE: James W. Koehler, Chief, Weed and Vertebrate Pest Control, California Department of Agriculture, Sacramento, California
PROGRAM AND PUBLICITY:
Maynard W. Cummings, Chairman Extension Wildlife Management Specialist, University of California, Davis
James W. Koehler, Chief, Weed and Vertebrate Pest Control, California Department of Agriculture, Sacramento, California
Walter E. Howard, Associate Vertebrate Ecologist, Department of Animal Physiology, University of California, Davis, California
Keith F. Murray, Senior Vector Control Specialist, Bureau of Vector Control, California Department of …

Opening Remarks, James W. Koehler

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

The purpose of this Vertebrate Pest Control Conference are several. They are to: 1. Get acquainted with other persons in the field of vertebrate pest control ; 2. Learn the best and safest methods of vertebrate pest control; 3. Hear what is going on in the various fields of research; 4. Stimulate new research; 5. Improve communications between research workers and between research workers, pest control operators and industry developers of materials used in the field of vertebrate pest control; 6. Inform the public about the true role of vertebrate pest control and why it is sometimes necessary, and 7. …

Testing And Registration Of New Control Materials, Donald A. Spencer

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act broadly encompasses, " any substance or mixture of substances intended for pre¬ venting, destroying, repelling, or mitigating...." a pest. The act includes devices as well as chemicals used in the control of pests. It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to provide authoritative evidence of the efficacy and safety of his pesticide product. Within the scope of these four brief excerpts from the act there is much about which personnel engaged in research and development of vertebrate pest control products should be informed. As stated, the coverage of the act is very complete, …

The Role Of Industry In Developing New Materials For Vertebrate Pest Control, G. Hermann, W. M. Zeck

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

In the first paper presented to you today by Dr. Spencer, an expert in the Animal Biology field and an official authority at the same time, you heard about the requirements imposed on a chemical in order to pass the different official hurdles before it ever will be accepted as a proven tool in wildlife management. Many characteristics have to be known and highly sophisticated tests have to be run. In many instances the governmental agency maintains its own screening, testing or analytical programs according to standard procedures. It would be impossible, however, for economic and time reasons to work …

The Role Of Pest Control Operators In Vertebrate Pest Control, Philip J. Spear

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

The National Pest Control Association, which I represent, accepts for membership those persons or firms which are actively engaged in the performance of structural pest control services for hire to the public at large and which are in sympathy with the purposes of the Association. The pest control operator in this context might be called a commercial pest control operator to distinguish him from those doing similar work but who are employed by governmental agencies or within large commercial organizations. Pest control is a growing industry with a gross annual income of 300-350 million dollars. It is estimated to contain …

Animal Population Ecology And Control Fundamentals, Kenneth E. F. Watt

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

Expensive, extensive and apparently lethal control measures have been applied against many species of pest vertebrates and invertebrates for decades. In spite of this, few pests have been annihilated, and in many cases the stated goals have become progressively more modest, so that now we speak of saving foliage or a crop, rather than extermination. It is of interest to examine the reasons why animals are so difficult to exterminate, because this matter, of course, has implications for the type of control policy we pursue in the future. Also, it has implications for the problem of evaluating comparatively various resource …

Starlings In The Pacific Northwest, H. Nelson Elliott

Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Proceedings: 2nd (1964)

As is the case in many sections of the country today, starlings are causing increasing concern in the Pacific Northwest. When these birds were first recognized in Washington, Oregon and Idaho in the early 1940's only small numbers were seen, usually with blackbirds. During the 50's, however, the number of wintering starlings increased from a few birds, to thousands, with estimated flocks of 25,000 to 50,000 in western Oregon and along the Snake River Valley in Idaho and eastern Oregon. During the past five years winter resident populations in these areas have been estimated by the 100,000's, with some observers …

Soil Conservation : Contour Banks Must Be Maintained, D J. Carder, G. W. Spencer

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

The wet winter of 1963 showed up faults in many contour bank systems and emphasised that banks won't last forever without maintenance.

This article tells where to look for weaknesses and how to treat them.

Cultivate Saltland And Protect It From Grazing, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Cultivate and protect to reclaim

Water For Agriculture. 6. Control Of Algae In Water Supplies, R C. Gorman

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

ALGAE are primitive forms of plant life that are common and normal in surface waters. They are fonnd in every water supply exposed to sunlight.

Their presence is not normally detectable until there are enough of them to make their presence obvious.

Development Of Water Quality Criteria For Aquatic Life, Clarence M. Tarzwell

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

It is now recognized that water pollution is an important problem, that it becomes more widespread and serious as population and industry expand, and that something must be done if aquatic life resource are to be saved and their productivity maintained. In the past there has been a great deal of uncertainty in approaching this situation and a general lack of understanding of the details and ramification of the overall problem. In the efforts for the abatement of pollution, only a few clearcut objectives have been established. Knowledge is lacking as to what the objectives should be. There is still …

Interbasin Movement Of Ground Water At The Nevada Test Site, Isaac J. Winograd

Publications (WR)

The present paper presents hydraulic evidence for the interbasin circulation of ground water through carbonate rocks of Paleozoic age at the Nevada Test Site. An integral part of this evidence is the discovery that aquifers in alluvium and tuff, formerly thought to be the principal aquifers at the Test Site, are semiperched above a thick tuffaceous aquiclude that separates them from the carbonate rocks.

This paper is based on one of the studies being made by the Geological
Survey for the Atomic Energy Commission. These studies seek to evaluate
the risk that may arise if ground water should be contaminated …

Methods Of Sewer Rat Control, Joe E. Brooks

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 1st (1962)

The control of rats in the urban environment involves more than merely dealing with the above-ground populations. The average urban sewage system provides a vast labyrinth of passages and nesting places for the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus. Here, in a protected underground habitat the rodent population is free to reproduce and ultimately expand to the maximum number that the environment can support. Eventually, the population outgrows its environment. At this point population pressures force animals to move out of the system. Rat burrows begin appearing in front yards, under sidewalks and driveways, and in flower beds, and rats themselves are …

Commensal Rodents, W. W. Dykstra

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 1st (1962)

The evolution of effective rodent control has been greater in the past 20 years than during the previous 200 years. Mankind need no longer fear the "black death," typhus, and other rodent-borne diseases. Likewise, there is no longer any reason why we must bear the cost of serious economic losses because of commensal rodent damage to property. Unfortunately, the latter still totals many millions of dollars each year. Damage and contamination of food products by house mice now probably equals or exceeds that caused by rats.

Ectoparasite Control In Public Health , Allan M. Barnes

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 1st (1962)

The inclusion of a chapter on ectoparasite control in a work otherwise devoted to vertebrates has a great deal of justification; the ecologies of vertebrates and their invertebrate parasites are inseparable, thus, the vertebrate control specialist is brought into intimate contact with ectoparasites and ectoparasite problems. In many cases, the need for vertebrate and ectoparasite control problems is one, and knowledge of techniques in both areas is required. The term "ectoparasite" groups a broad array of invertebrate animals externally parasitic on larger animals, many of them blood feeders in at least one stage of their life cycles. The ecological relationships …

Pigeons, Starlings And English Sparrows, G. L. Hockenyos

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 1st (1962)

This paper deals with the control of excessive numbers of pigeons, starlings and English sparrows in urban situations in the Midwestern region of the United States. Control procedures should always be based on a survey of the factors involved in the problem so that the most feasible methods can be determined. There is no one tool of bird control that fits all situations, and in most cases more than one tool is indicated. Since the feral pigeon is the most common pest species, emphasis will be placed on pigeon control methods. Urban bird control, like urban rat control, may involve …

Infectious Disease Hazards To Pest Control Operators, Paul Arnstein Dvm, Mph

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 1st (1962)

One of the primary reasons for controlling most vertebrate pests is the role these creatures play as links in the infection chain of certain agents pathogenic to man. It is reasonable to assume that the persons engaged in the eradication or removal of pests are at some risk of contacting zoonoses - diseases transmissible from animals to man. Unfortunately, histories or epidemiological data of occupational infections among pest control operators are not available; perhaps this society may become a future assembly point for statistics in this field. The hazards therefore have to be approached theoretically: diseases known to be associated …