Transcript Vertebrates (manual E, chapter 7)

Manual E, Chapter 7: Vertebrates
Dr. Vera Krischik
Department of Entomology
University of Minnesota
Manual E, Chapter 7: Vertebrates
Learning objectives
• How certain vertebrates can become pest
problems.
• Control vertebrates w/o endangering
nontarget organisms.
• Use references to continue professional
growth.
Manual E, Chapter 7: Vertebrates
Terms to know
• Game species/small game species:
A vertebrate that is hunted by people for
sport.
Manual E, Chapter 7: Vertebrates
Introduction
• Rodents and wildlife are generally are not
the magnitude of problem as weeds, insects
disease, weather.
• This chapter is a guideline to determine if a
vertebrate is a pest.
• How to control the pest.
Manual E, Chapter 7: Vertebrates
Factors affecting control
• Mobility: May spend most of their time in
area away from crop.
• Unpredictably: Many factors, population
density, weather, availability of food, influence
transition from harmless vertebrate
population into pest.
• Public perception: Most large vertebrates as
gees and deer are held in esteem by public.
Efforts to control creates social problems.
Manual E, Chapter 7: Vertebrates
Factors affecting control
• Legal status: Most species have state or
federal laws on protection.
• Control techniques: Broadcast chemical
controls will not be available due to legal
status or environmental contamination.
• Most common pests: Meadow mice, voles,
ground squirrels, moles, skunks, raccoons.
Rabbit (game species), deer (game species)
Manual E, Chapter 7: Vertebrates
Factors affecting control
• Rabbit (game species) can be controlled by
landowners on their property.
• Deer (game species) Need to contact the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Manual E, Chapter 7: Vertebrates
Factors affecting control
• Moles like mice, but no tail; velvety fur, huge
digging feet
• Eat worms, insects, and grubs
• Two species in MN: Eastern, common,
prairie mole (Eastern) and star-nose mole (N)
• Deer (game species) Need to contact the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Manual E, Chapter 7: Vertebrates
Factors affecting control
• Moles burrow in tunnels in lawns and golf
courses.
• Tunnels 6-18 in below ground interfere with
mowing; are home to moles and mice.
• Control grubs will reduce mole numbers.
• Poison baits and fumigants are not effective.
• Traps work the best.
Manual E, Chapter 7: Vertebrates
Factors affecting control
• Meadow mice are a winter problem and
girdle trees and roots, killing them.
• Populations are very high some years. Look
for droppings, sightings, catches of food,
trinkets.
Manual E, Chapter 7: Vertebrates
Factors affecting control
• Habitat destruction, mouse guards
(hardware cloth submerged into soil),
trapping, repellents (fungicide thiram), and
poison bait (zinc phosphide )for control.
• Always use bait stations to prevent
nontarget effects on other organisms.
Manual E, Chapter 7: Vertebrates
Factors affecting control
• 13-lined ground squirrel, 2-8 per acre, small
population size
• Small areas use traps.
• Large areas maybe use poison baits.
Rodenticides w/ zinc phosphide,
anticoagulants, or other rodenticides.
No repellents are registered.
• Contact the DNR first
Manual E, Chapter 7: Vertebrates
Factors affecting control
• Rabbits in winter browse on bark.
• Remove brush piles, stone and trash heaps,
and other refuge.
• No chemicals are registered.
• Live traps and removal.
• Can use tree guards, extend below snow
line into the soil.
Manual E, Chapter 7: Vertebrates
Factors affecting control
• Deer damage plants
• Devices, repellents, fences; hunting during
season.
• Contact repellents: Bone tar oil and Magic
circle; Area repellents: Human hair
• Fences; Wire and electric
•Contact the DNR first