Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Pesticides, Scientists, Farmers, And The Public: No "White Knight" Rescue In Sight, Pamela Jones

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

ABSTRACT: The pesticide controversy is much more complicated than simply a disagreement over facts and risk estimates between the "experts" and the "fearful." It is a battle over ideology as much as one over information. This paper discusses the notion of "educating the public" about pesticides, establishing realistic expectations of efforts by industry and academia, and notes some of the limitations, and potential involvement, of scientists as "translators" in dealing with this controversy.

The Impact Of Wildlife Damage On Wildlife Management Programs In Wisconsin, Scott R. Craven

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

ABSTRACT: Wildlife damage caused by species normally managed as game animals or furbearers should be of major concern to wildlife managers and various user groups: hunters, trappers, and other outdoor recreationists. Real or potential damage may be used as an important factor in determining population levels, harvest goals, and distribution of white-tailed deer and Canada geese in Wisconsin. In any state where private land and agriculture are important, such a strategy could reduce wildlife populations and associated recreational opportunities. Recent surveys in Wisconsin have quantified the amount and distribution of deer, goose, and turkey damage in Wisconsin. These data allow …

Animal Rights And Vertebrate Pest Control, Dale L. Brooks

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

ABSTRACT: Many animal rights activists are very vocal in their belief that animals are more valuable or at least equally important to humans. There is little to no compromise in their overall view that the use of animals for food, fiber, teaching, research and testing does not result in improvements for other animals or societal needs. Today's activists are well prepared and very articulate in getting their views across to the public through the press and television media. An increasing number of the public is beginning to believe the activist allegations of inhumane animal practices. The biologist can no longer …

Attitude Change Toward Vertebrate Pest Control, Robert M. Timm, Sanford D. Schemnitz

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

ABSTRACT: Attitudes of students enrolled in courses on wildlife damage control at two universities were surveyed at the beginning and end of the semester. Attitudes toward wildlife and acceptance of various damage control methods were quantified and compared to responses obtained from the general public in previous surveys. As a result of the class, both groups of students generally became more accepting of current vertebrate control practices, including toxicant use. Student attitudes, as a result of knowledge gained, came to be more realistic and practical. We believe that persons, when presented factual information about wildlife damage and its control, will …

Urban Wildlife: Can We Live With Them?, Wayne R. Marion

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

ABSTRACT: A survey of Extension Wildlife Specialists in the U.S. provided a basis for estimating the magnitude of urban wildlife damage and control in this country. Response to the 9-question mail questionnaire was good (76 percent) following the single mailing to all Extension Wildlife Specialists or people in similar positions listed in the national directory. The majority of questions were answered based upon the experiences and best estimates of these specialists for the interval October 1986-September 1987. Specialists had difficulty providing estimates of damage and costs of prevention and control; 57 percent were not able to provide any data on …

Vertebrate Pesticides And Nontarget Wildlife Losses In Proper Perspective, James E. Miller

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

ABSTRACT: The use of pesticides as one of the management tools to assist in the prevention and control of damage caused by vertebrate wildlife is certainly not new, nor has it become any less controversial in recent years. In fact, throughout the recent history of pesticide uses for control of vertebrate damage to the production of food and fiber, the prevention of potential epizootic diseases, and other potential threats to man's well-being and to the habitats and management of other wildlife resources, the use of pesticides as well as other management tools have generally been reviewed and monitored by professionals. …

Photonovels Produced By Client/Professional Partnerships: An Educational Approach To Commensal Vertebrate Ipm, Stephen C. Frantz, John P. Comings, Debra L. Roter

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

ABSTRACT: Since commensal vertebrate pest problems are largely "people problems," a well-planned and executed educational intervention could be the single most important component in an integrated pest management (IPM) program. The basic purpose of educational interventions is to bring sufficient information and understanding to affected clients so that they can and will intercept and control pests in the infested habitat. The encouragement of client participation in producing educational materials is consistent with learning theory and pest management principles. Such production methods allow materials to be closely aligned with client concerns and establish a climate for mutual exchange of ideas between …

Activity Of Lm 2219 (Difethialone), A New Anticoagulant Rodenticide, In Commensal Rodents, J. C. Lechevin, Richard M. Poche

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

ABSTRACT: Preliminary studies completed on commensal rodents with the new anticoagulant rodenticide difethialone showed very good efficacy, such that 25 ppm baits could be used effectively. New test results presented in this publication confirm the activity as shown under laboratory conditions in choice tests, which represent more severe conditions, as well as its effectiveness against rodents that are resistant and non-resistant to warfarin. In tests where the palatability was only fair the chemical activity resulted in excellent mortality. In a field test against a large population of Mus musculus the results proved very satisfactory. Difethialone is toxic to birds and …

Status Of Bromethalin Outside The United States , S. R. Spaulding, H. Spannring

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

ABSTRACT: Bromethalin has been extensively researched over the past decade in the United States, Switzerland, England, Denmark, and France. United States EPA registrations were received in 1982 and commercial pelleted formulations containing 0.01% bromethalin were developed and introduced in the USA by Ralston Purina (ASSAULT1*) in 1985 and Velsicol (VENGEANCE1*) in 1986. Ciba-Geigy is currently developing new formulations under the tradename DORATIDR for use outside the United States. Bromethalin acute toxicity and 14-day subchronic studies are reviewed and data from recently completed 90-day subchronic studies required for registration outside the US are presented. Pharmacodynamic studies have shown that bromethalin acts …

Field Evaluation Of Quintox (Cholecalciferol) For Controlling Com¬Mensal Rodents, L. Dawn Brown, E. F. Marshall

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

AB STRACT: Field efficacy studies were performed on Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus), roof rats (Rattus rattus), and house mice (Mus musculus) under a variety of conditions throughout the continental United States. Baits containing .075% (750 ppm) cholecalciferol yielded exceptional results in reducing commensal rodent populations under actual field conditions.

Efficacy And Environmental Impact Of Flocoumafen (Storm) Wax Block Baits Used For Rice Field Rat Control In The Philippines., Melanda M. Hoque, Jaime L. Olvida

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

Two large (approx. 160 ha) trial sites incorporating ricefields and village housing were selected in Laguna Province, Philippines. Flocoumafen 3.5-g wax block baits (StormR) were applied to one site, initially as two area-wide pulses of 80 to 100 blocks/ha and later as spot treatments, to areas of particularly high rat infestation. Baiting in and around the village houses was already carried out during the first two applications. On average, only 1.175 kg/ha/season of flocoumafen block bait gave good rodent control resulting in significant decreases in crop damage (% cut tillers) compared to the untreated area. The overall yield increase was …

Efficacy Of Trimethac Arb As A Small Mammal Repellent In No-Till Corn Plantings, George H. Matschke, William R. Bonwell, Richard M. Engeman

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

Trimethacarb (2,3,5-trimethylphenyl methycarbonate) was evaluated as a mouse repellent in no-till corn plantings. Two studies were conducted. One involved an early spring planting and included 5 treated and 5 control plots. The second involved a late spring planting and included 3 treated and 3 control plots. Species composition and relative abundance of small mammals were determined for each plot by trap and release before treatment. On the 10 early spring plots, species composition was 85% prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). 14% deer mice (Peromyscus spp.). and 1% house mice (Mus musculus'). On the 6 late spring plots, species composition was 66% …

Vitamin Kt Treatment Of Brodifacoum Poisoning In Dogs, C. G. Mackintosh, F. J. Laas, M. E. R. Godfrey, K. Turner

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

Twenty dogs received a potentially lethal (15 mg/kg) dose of brodifacoum, a halogenated coumarin-type anticoagulant poison. Eleven were immediately treated with vitamin K: daily for 5 days, either by intramuscular injections (2 mg/kg) or oral tablets (1 mg/kg). It was necessary to give further doses of vitamin Kj to most of the dogs for up to 2 weeks after the first treatment period to reduce their P times to normal levels (<10 >seconds). Four dogs were not given further vitamin Kj and two of these died of acute blood loss from an intrathoracic hemorrhage. Nine dogs received vitamin K: (2 …

Ld50 Determination Of Zinc Phosphide Toxicity For House Mice And Albino Laboratory Mice, Li Jing-Hui, Rex E. Marsh

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

Results showed that wild house mice were more susceptible to zinc phosphide than an albino strain. The LD50 and 95% confidence limits for combined sexes with wild house mice (Mus musculus) were 32.68 + 3.58 mg/kg, but 53.34 ± 2.64 for the albino mice. The regression equations between the probits of mortalities and the logs of doses are Y= 10.38x-10.72 for wild mice and Y=6.78x-6.71 for albino mice. Both the individual and sexual variations among albino mice in their susceptibility to zinc phosphide were greater than those of wild mice. The results suggest that attempts to extrapolate toxicity values from …

Attractiveness Of Carbon Disulfide To Wild Norway Rats, J. Russell Mason, N. Jay Bean, Bennett G. Galef Jr.

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

In laboratory experiments, carbon disulfide (CS2) increases the attractiveness of feeding stations to rats and mice. Bait consumption is also increased, and the effects are more pronounced for females than for males. The present study was designed to assess whether CS2 would enhance consumption of a standard bait formulation by wild Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus). The results showed that consumption was tripled when bait was paired with CS2. We speculate that CS2 could similarly enhance the effectiveness of rodenticide bait formulations to which it is applied. Extensive field tests of CS2 as a rodent attractant appear warranted.

The Biology Of Domestic Rats: Telemetry Yields Insights For Pest Con¬Trol, Michael A. Recht

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

In previous studies Norway and roof rats were captured, fitted with radiotransmitter collars, and released into their respective habitats. Detailed observations were made of their locomotor patterns, home ranges, activity phasing, food sources, and general behavior. A summary of micro-ecology, habitat partitioning and other behaviors from those studies which may be of use to persons interested in vertebrate pest control is reported.

Stopping House Mice Building Infestations Through Exterior Control , Charles E. Knote

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

CONCLUSIONS (1) Exterior house mice (M- musculus) were the source (SOS) of 90% or more of the potential interior house mouse problems in these food warehouses and other buildings. (2) The use of a palatable bagged mouse bait inside a totally enclosed elevated mouse-sized bait station (MAJ-ik-BOX), along with self-setting multi-catch lever mouse traps (TIN CATS) "bunched" together at potential mouse entries safely and effectively eliminated an estimated 99% or more of the migrating exterior mice living or running next to the foundations of buildings. (3) The effectiveness of the "bunched" mouse-sized bait station/multi-catch trap in controlling 99% of the …

Management Of Fruit Bat And Rat Populations In The Maldive Islands, Indian Ocean, Richard R. Dolbeer, Lynwood R. Fiedler, Hussain Rasheed

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

The introduced black rat (Rattus rattus) and the endemic giant fruit bat (Pteropus giganteus ariel) are serious depredators of coconuts and fruits, respectively, in the Maldives. Differences in reproductive rate between rats (high) and bats (low) must be considered in implementing control programs. We estimate a rat population can fully recover from an island-wide reduction of 90% in less than 6 months. In contrast, a bat population may require 6 years to recover from a 90% reduction. Crown-baiting of coconut palms with anticoagulant rodenticides is effective in reducing rat damage, but villagers have been reluctant to adopt recommended baiting programs, …

Reduction In Rodent Populations Through Intermittent Control Operations In The Cropping Ecosystem Of The Indian Desert, Ranjan Advani, Ishwar Prakash, R. P. Mathur

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

Control operations at 6-month intervals, continued for four years in crop fields, reduced the rodent population to 5.08 percent losses to agricultural production. After eight crop seasons, a significant reduction in rodent density was observed in treated areas when compared with that of the control areas (P < 0.01). Correlation between pre-treatment population index (y) and number of seasons (log of x) was found to be 0.91 (P < 0.01). A relationship was established between y and x : y = 0.804.0-0.9621 log x. From this equation, it can be inferred that rodent population will reach zero level after treating crop fields continuously for6.85 or say 7.0 (seven) seasons. After control, the numbers of predominant rodents, Tatera indica, Meriones hurrianae and Rattus meltada. were significantly reduced and the residual population was composed of Mus booduga. Gerbillus spp., Rattus gleadowi. Golunda ellioti and Funambulus pennanti.

Rice As A Trap Crop For The Rice Field Rat In Malaysia, Y. M. Lam

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

The potential of rice as a trap crop for the rice field rat, Rattus argentiventer. was clearly illustrated by the studies conducted in 60.7 ha of newly rehabilitated rice land in Pcrmatang Pauh and in the MARDI Research Centre's rice fields in Bumbong Lima. The rice crop was very attractive to the rats, especially at the reproductive phase. The combina¬tion of a physical barrier and traps was very effective in exploiting rice as a trap crop for rice field rats. The trapping patterns indicated a massive influx of rats from the surroundings for a period of three weeks in Permatang …

Characteristics Of Damage By Vertebrate Pests To Groundnuts In Pakistan, Joe E. Brooks, Ejaz Ahmad, Iftikhar Hussain

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

Vertebrate pest damage to groundnut (Arachis hvpogea) was assessed at harvest in 164 fields selected along road transects in Pakistan. Overall damage in these fields was estimated at 5.3 %, of which the lesser bandicoot rat (Bandicota bengalensis) accounted for 2.4%, the short-tailed mole rat (Nesokia indica) caused 1.0%, and the wild boar (Sus scrofa) caused 0.9%. Desert hares (Lepus nigricollis). crested porcupines (Hystrix indica) and house crows (Corvus splendens) together accounted for the remaining 1.0% damage. The damage characteristics of each species are described. Observations indicated that visual above-ground examination of plants for damage underestimated the actual loss because …

Introduced Animals In Hawaii's Natural Areas, Charles P. Stone, Stephen J. Anderson

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

The Hawaiian islands provide superlative examples of biological evolution and are perhaps the best sites in the world for biological invasions. Introduced invertebrates such as the Argentine ant (Iridomyrmex humilis) and the western yellowjacket wasp (Paravespula pensvlvanica) reduce native insects and plant pollinators and may have been a factor in native bird declines. Management of invertebrates in localized areas through use of chemicals such as Tahara and diazinon is being attempted. Research on the long term effects of alien birds on native ecosystems is under way, but management currently is restricted to preservation of intact and large areas of native …

Health Risks To Humans And Domestic Livestock Posed By Feral Pigs (Sus Scrofa) In North Queensland, Peter M. Pavlov

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 13th (1988)

A sample of 608 adult pigs from Cape York and adjacent islands was examined for parasites and their serum tested for livestock diseases associated with the Queensland tropics. Feral pigs from North Queensland pose a significant health threat to humans with the incidence of Spargana (the plerocercoid of Spirometra erinacei) through the consumption of undercooked pork. Meliodosis (Pseudomonas pseudomalleO. Leptospirosis (L. yar. pomona). and Brucellosis (Brucella suis) are capable of infecting humans directly during unhygienic butchering of infected carcasses. In North Queensland, the widespread intermingled distribution of feral pigs and cattle increases the potential for the transmission of Actinobacillus, Leptospirosis, …

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 …

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 20, No. 1 March 1988

The Prairie Naturalist

Paul B. Kannowski, Editor

Nikki R. Seabloom, Assistant Editor

Douglas H. Johnson, Book Review Editor

TABLE OF CONTENTS

WINTER FOOD HABITS OF PRAIRIE PORCUPINES IN MONTANA ▪ P. Hendricks and H. F. Allard

RABIES CONTROL BY SKUNK DEPOPULATION IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA, 1983 TO 1986 ▪ M. J. Pybus

USE OF SHELTER BY MULE DEER DURING WINTER ▪ A. K. Wood

FORAGING BEHAVIOR AND FOOD HABITS OF BURROWING OWLS IN WYOMING ▪ C. D. Thompson and S. H. Anderson

WILD TURKEY NESTING ECOLOGY IN SOUTH CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA ▪ T. L. Wertz and L. D. Flake

DOES THE DOWNY AMERICAN AVOCET …

The State Of The Bay - 1987, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (Tbrpc), Agency On Bay Management

Reports

Council's Agency on Bay Management has continued to lead and support major Bay related activities through legislation, development review, intergovernmental coordination, impact assessment and public education in 1987. Management and research efforts expand for the Bay as awareness grows of its significance. The State of the Bay - 1987 document represents the compilation of regional activities and these expanding effort to promote the Tampa Bay estuary.

Final Report Of The Pearling Industry Review Committee To The Hon. Julian Grill, Western Australian Minister For Fisheries And Hon. John Kerin, M.P. Federal Minister For Primary Industries And Energy., F. J. Malone, D. A. Hancock, B. Jeffries

Fisheries management papers

In October 1987 an Interim Report was issued to enable the present licence holders, the Licensed Pearl Producers' Association and other who had expressed an interest to the Committee, to consider the interim recommendations and , if necessary, make written comment to the Committee. The Committee considered the comments it received. It now presents its Final Report to the Western Australian Minister for Fisheries, the Hon. Julian Grill and the Federal Minister for Primary Industries and Energy, the Hon. John Kerin. The Committee is recommending that the industry be quota controlled with entry by transfer only. The present licence holders …

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 …