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Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management
Wildlife Damage Management blog covering all topics related to wildlife, wildlife diseases, wildlife control operators, wildlife control techniques, animal rights, products, publications, and resources.

11/7/2008

8th Eastern Wildlife Damage Management Proceedings
It has been a while since my last post because I was in the United Kingdom on vacation for three weeks. But I am back now.

I thought I would announce that the Eighth Eastern Wildlife Damage Management Conference Proceedings (1997) have finally been published. In case you haven't heard of these proceedings, let me give you a little history.

In the 1980 and 1990's, the Eastern Wildlife Damage Management Conference and the Great Plains Wildlife Damage Workshop met on alternating years. But since these meetings were small and would conflict with the biannual Vertebrate Pest Conference, it was decided to merge the two into the Wildlife Damage Management Conference. This way, the Vertebrate Pest Conference and the Wildlife Damage Management Conference would meet on alternating years.

The Internet Center for Wildlife Damage is pleased to announce that the proceedings from the 8th Eastern Wildlife Damage Management Conference have been added to our Digital Commons. You can locate these articles at Digital Commons

Additionally, you should know that our Digital Commons has achieved another milestone. We now have over 4200 articles in our searchable database. And yes, we continue to grow.

Posted at 11:56 AM by SENECA\svantassel2 | Category: WCO Business Topics | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

10/9/2008

Winter Bird Roosts
Cold weather marks the time when birds of a feather flock together. Starlings and crows are perhaps the most notorious because their winter roosts can be incredibly large, involving hundreds of birds. It is important to note that roosting refers to sleeping. The birds may congregate for other reasons during various times of the year, such as for mating. But in the winter, they congregate to keep warm. The problem for residents living nearby usually centers on the incredible volume of noise and excrement created by the birds.

If you find yourself in such a predicament, what can you do?

We'll unfortunately, there are no "easy" solutions. Fortunately, however, you do have options. Of course, before implementing any of these suggestions, be sure to consult with local, state, and federal regulations. Pigeons, starlings, and house sparrows are exempt from Federal guidelines but there may be state and local restrictions. Some of the techniques listed below are noisy and dangerous. So even if the techniques are legal in your area, it doesn't mean that they are "wise" to use in your circumstances.

Note that the best results come from employment of as many of the options simultaneously as legally and practically possible.

Option 1. Hazing the birds. This involves the use of frightening devices to scare the birds away. Pyrotechnics are very effective. But the noise and fire concerns may prohibit their use. Also they require repeated applications. Hazing works best when done before the birds become "attached to the site." So don't delay any longer than legally and practically necessary.

Option 2. Trimming the tree branches. Reduce branches by 30 percent to "open" up the canopy. By providing fewer places for birds to roost, the birds lose the necessary concentrations needed to gain sufficient warmth.

Option 3. Repellents. Methyl anthranilate is a grape extract that when aerosolized is noxious to birds. To us, it smells like grapes. Check state laws as you may need a pesticide applicators license to administer the product. Like hazing, it may require repeated application in order to convince the birds to move on.

Option 4. Lethal Control. This option is controversial and a potential public relations nightmare even if you follow all the necessary legal requirements. Getting permission to kill some birds will be easier than others, such as house sparrows, pigeons, and starlings. Other birds will usually require a federal depredation permit.

For further details on bird control can be found at http://icwdm.org

Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP

Posted at 2:58 PM by SENECA\svantassel2 | Category: Species | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

9/22/2008

Anti NWCO California Pest Control Reg Struck Down
Alan Merrifield is a California NWCO who in Merrifeid v. Lockyer argued that the State of California Pest Control licensing requirements unfairly discriminated against him because it compelled him to obtain a pesticide license even though he does not use pesticides.

After losing his case in state court, Merrifield appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. He argued that he should be exempt from pesticide license requirements because The California requirement violated 1. the privileges or immunities clause of the 14th Amendment, 2. the Due Process of the 14th Amendment and 3. the Equal Protection Clauses of the 14th Amendment.

Interestingly, only the third argument persuaded the court to side with Merrifield. The judges concluded that the state's decision to single out three types of vertebrate pests whose control required a license constituted an irrational decision designed to favor economically certain constituents at the expense of of others. p. 12941. A full record of the court's ruling can be obtained at the Digital Commons. The Pacific Legal Foundation litigated on behalf of Mr. Merrifield.

In layman's terms, since the state exempted the requirement of pesticide licensing for those controlling vertebrates other except for birds, rats, and mice, their argument that Merrifield needed the license because of his potential exposure to pesticides (even though he personally doesn't use pesticides) entails a contradiction. For those who control squirrels in a building would be just as likely to be exposed to pesticides, if not more so, than Merrifield who performs bird exclusions. Thus the state cannot argue simultaneously that one group needs a license while another group doing similar work doesn't the court struck down the California requirement.

So what can we say about all this? First, a victory is a victory. Merrifield should be commended for his win. He is correct that the work of NWCOs is now part of the Federal legal vocabulary. That is a good thing. Second, he gets some respite from the state's restriction.

On the other hand the victory may be a short one. For all the state needs to do to correct the contradiction in its regs is to require that everyone doing pest control needs a license. If the state takes this route, another court case will have to be brought. The state can also appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. But it may not since the Supreme Court is decidedly pro-business.

Time will tell about how much this ruling will help the industry. But for the time being, we should celebrate the victories as they come.

Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP

Posted at 3:31 PM by SENECA\svantassel2 | Category: WCO Business Topics | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

9/10/2008

Is it Moles or Pocket Gophers?
With fall approaching, some homeowners are beginning to see dirt mounds "appearing" in their lawns. Everyone knows that proper damage control begins with correct identification. For if you don't know what is causing the problem you will have difficulty resolving it.

Distinguishing between pocket gopher damage and mole damage is one such problem. The following will provide you some tips to help you distinguish between damage by pocket gophers and damage by moles.

Tip #1. Pocket Gophers only create mounds of dirt. If you see runs in your grass that collapse when you step on them then that is a sign of moles. Pocket gophers never make runs.

Tip #2. Mole mounds tend to be conical and 6-8 inches wide. Pocket gopher mounds tend to be kidney or fan shaped and reaching widths of 8-14 inches.

Tip #3. Location can also help to distinguish between mole and pocket gopher damage. For example, pocket gophers don't reside in New England but moles do. The rest of the country is pretty much an overlap of both species.

Tip #4. Habitat is the last tip. Moles tend to be near wooded areas with loamy soil. Pocket gophers can handle dryer conditions typical of grasslands. Neither species will live in swamps or deserts. With so many irrigated lawns, however, gophers and moles can be found in locations previously never found. So keep an open mind.

Information on control techniques can be found below. Further information

Images distinguishing mole and pocket gopher damage

Mole Control

Pocket gopher Control

Posted at 10:35 AM by SENECA\svantassel2 | Category: Species | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

8/28/2008

Turkeys and Damage
Turkey populations are growing substantially around many parts of the country. Responsible wildlife management coupled with changes in land use have allowed turkey numbers to dramatically increase. Of course, whenever, numbers of anything increase, there are bound to be conflicts.

Turkeys are no different. Farmers have complained that turkeys damaged their crops. Homeowners have claimed that turkeys have ruined their grass searching for insects.

Recent research, however, raises doubts about these claims. In a two year study, Purdue University Extension educator Brian MacGowan and his co-authors have found that turkeys are frequently blamed for damage that was actually caused by other animals. Their publication "Truths and Myths about Wild Turkey (Publication # FNR-264-W) says that turkeys are accused of causing the problems because landowners can see them. They found that turkeys do feed on grain and corn but typically are just gleaning the left-overs of deer, raccoon and other species. The same goes for turf damage. The authors said, it is rare for turkeys to scratch undisturbed turf. Typically they work grass that has already been assaulted by skunks and raccoons.

It is important to note that turkeys can impact human interests. Their roosts in suburban areas can leave a great deal of unsightly excrement beneath them. The ICWDM has received one complaint about turkey pecking has broken the side-mirrors of cars. Turkeys damage vehicle paint by pecking also. Information on the management of these problems can be found at Turkey Damage Management

Posted at 10:42 AM by SENECA\svantassel2 | Category: Species | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

8/20/2008

Black-Footed Ferrets and Plague
If one just thought of the title of the U.S. Geological Service (USGS), it would be understandable if you thought that the Federal agency just handled rocks and maps. However, that would be quite wrong.

The USGS also does a great deal of work in the area of animal diseases including those potentially dangerous to humans. A recent press release discusses their work in protecting the endangered Black-Footed ferret. Ferrets are highly susceptible to sylvatic plague which is a bacteria disease transmitted by fleas. From time to time, plague outbreaks occur in the prairie dog towns used by ferrets to both live and hunt in.

Recently, researchers have developed a vaccine capable of protecting ferrets against the plague. They even can inoculate the ferrets by treating bait that would be eaten by the ferrets. Although the drug isn't quite ready for prime time yet, it is encouraging to see that it is another tool in the fight to protect ferrets from extinction.

Readers can learn more about this program, including photos of ferret trapping at Ferret Vaccine

Ferret Photos

Posted at 1:12 PM by SENECA\svantassel2 | Category: Species | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

7/28/2008

Problem Animals: Domestic or Wild?
One of the most difficult aspects for Wildlife Control Operators (WCOs) is the legalities of domestic animals that become a nuisance. For example, under ordinary circumstances, house cats, (Felis domesticus) are domesticated animals and therefore are not typically allowed to be trapped and controlled by WCOs.

The situation becomes more tricky when we are talking about feral cats, namely house cats that are not "owned" by anyone. Is the cat a wild animal or a domesticated animal? The answer makes all the difference. For if it is a domestic animal than most wildlife licenses don't permit the control of domestic animals. If it is wild, then WCOs can work to get the species on their license.

The fact is, however, that the government has not made the distinction clear. Various cat lobbies also muddy the waters bey saying that so called Trap, neuter, and release programs are the proper way to deal with feral cat colonies. I am not going to explain why I believe that solution is a bad one. But I will say, that even if this policy is adopted, how does it help landowners who want to stop stray cats from defecating in their gardens, bushes and attacking birds by their feeders?

Clearly something needs to be done. Until that day comes, I would suggest that WCOs think twice before accepting a job controlling feral domesticated species. For the risks of such activity are very great. Stephen Vantassel

Posted at 3:52 PM by SENECA\svantassel2 | Category: WCO Business Topics | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

7/14/2008

Possible Repellent for Pocket Gophers
Visitors to the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management know that the Center does not push the use of repellents. The reason we don't stems from the fact that repellents frequently fail to work the way the public wants them to. The public's expectations of repellents is just too high. Repellents (namely the ones actually shown by research to work) under the best of conditions frequently only reduce rather than eliminate damage.

Nevertheless, I came across an article that might be of interest to readers. It was written by Epple, G.; Niblick, H.; Lewis, S.; Nolte, D.L.; Campbell, D.L.; Mason, J.R. and published in the Journal of Chemical Ecology May 1996. v. 22 (5), p. 1013-1025.

The title was "Pine needle oil causes avoidance behaviors in pocket gopher Geomys bursarius." Geomys bursarius is the scientific name for the Plains Pocket Gopher, largest pocket gopher in the U.S. What the researchers found was that essential oils from coniferous trees contain chemicals that cause plant eating animals (herbivores) to avoid them and these oils did reduce plains pocket gopher feeding.

Now before you get too excited, a word of caution. First, the studies were done under lab conditions. While laboratory settings are necessary to determine if a product works at all, readers should know that sometimes, what works in the lab doesn't translate to the field. Second, the researchers noted that activity was reduced, NOT eliminated.

Nevertheless, perhaps this research will stimulate someone to continue the research. Wildlife control is an interesting field because as ideas come forward, they frequently stimulate thinking for others and sometimes, real breakthroughs are made.

Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP

Posted at 1:20 PM by SENECA\svantassel2 | Category: Wildlife Control Methods | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

7/10/2008

Misguided Wildlife Control Techniques
Americans love technology. The advances of science, and the conveniences it has wrought, has given rise to the belief that technology can solve everything. In the broad sense, technology can solve a lot of problems. Technology is essentially the study of how to manipulate materials to achieve a certain goal.

The problem, however, comes when people equate technology with easy and simple. Take wildlife control for example. The public believes that ultrasound will drive nuisance animals from a given location. The research, at least the research that I am familiar with, says that ultrasound is not effective in performing that task. To look it up yourself visit Ultrasound Research. By the way, we welcome any information that passes scientific muster which shows that ultrasound is effective for any wildlife problem.

The unfortunate fact is that, at least for wildlife damage management, if the technique sounds too simple or easy, it probably won't work. To highlight the various misguided control techniques, the ICWDM has created pages discussing these techniques and explaining why they don't work. We hope you will check them out by vising our site ICWDM. We also welcome your contributions and suggestions to add to our list.

Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP

Posted at 10:59 AM by SENECA\svantassel2 | Category: Wildlife Control Methods | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

7/1/2008

Wildlife Damage Management and Public Safety
For professional wildlife control operators, it is deemed unprofessional to use fear to sell one's services. We believe that using the fear tactic is exploitive of customers and unnecessarily creates an antagonism between humans and other organisms in the environment.

However, it could very well be that we may not have been too cautious as a profession. Given the hatred expressed against wildlife control by various protest industry groups and the public's resultant antagonism, perhaps nuisance wildlife control operators (NWCOs) should be emphasizing the risks wildlife pose against human interests.

The recent and tragic levee collapse in Missouri is one example of the way a little muskrat can cause such devastation (for story see Missouri Levee Collapse due to Muskrat) Of course, the Dutch have known the risks posed by muskrats for years. They have professional trappers working year round to control muskrats and thereby protect their levees.

Ground squirrels were implicated in another levee collapse in Nevada that flooded scores of homes whose owners thought they were safe. (for story see Nevada Levee Break)

Ultimately, I have two points to make. First, NWCOs must do a better job in educating the public about the need for wildlife damage management. Second, the public must understand that while it may not be pleasant to think about wildlife control, the failure to perform it can have devastating consequences. In life there is no free lunch.

Posted at 10:16 AM by SENECA\svantassel2 | Category: Species | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)
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