Vertebrate Pest Management. Jerry Heath, BCE

Transcription

1 Vertebrate Pest Management Jerry Heath, BCE

2 Traditional Rodent Mgmt Strategies Transitioning in the US Formerly 3 Lines of Defense : - Fence line or property line baiting - Outside building perimeter baiting - Indoor traps Regularly spaced bait stations and traps. Rodenticide labels changed, and better understanding of rodents taking hold.

3 Transitions in Rodent Mgmt. The old mentality is usually still OK and conservative : Regular spacing; 2 rows bait stations + indoor traps. Most audit standards now allow more device flexibility - based on monitoring. Rodent biology calls for more strategic focus on: Lines Shadows Warm Spots Corners Voids Quiet Zones

4 Fresh Insight on Biology and Behavior Skull design and implications. Whiskers, fur, sebum, droppings & urine. Dietary, water needs, feeding habits. Muscle memory, travel habits. Position in the food chain.

5 House Mouse Most common Small, adaptable, curious. Nibbler feeding habits. Prolific. Does not require free water. Can survive almost anywhere = Every place susceptible! Only needs ¼ to gain entry.

6 Norway Rat & Roof Rat Different origins, behavior tendencies & geographic distributions Norway Rat: - Worldwide distribution, all climates & environments. - Likes living in the ground or burrows. Roof Rat: - Originated in jungle environments. - Limited to warmer climates. - Behaves like a nocturnal squirrel. - Nests and is active in trees, rafters, etc. - Can travel quite a distance on wires, etc. to forage and disappear during the day! - Nibbler feeding habits. Both Rats: - Only require ½ inch to gain entry. - Require daily water.

7 New Insights on Rodent Travel Patterns Six key words to remember: 1. Lines 4. Voids 2. Shadows 5. Warm Spots 3. Corners 6. Quiet Zones Baits and traps need to be placed in lines of travel! Rodents are not significantly attracted. Rodents do not limit travel to walls! Look for other lines and shadows for higher traffic. Best use of UV is identifying traffic pathways! Warm spots, quiet zones, voids and corners will be places to pause & harbor.

8 Muscle memory and behavior Certain travel pathways are remembered in muscles for full-speed travel. Other travels will be more exploratory and cautious. Trapping implications if you can gain insight

9 Rodent Home Ranges Old rules of thumb have all been debunked. Rodents will travel as far as necessary to meet needs, or stay close to nest if needs are being met. General progression of range size: Mouse Norway Rat Roof Rat. Traditional device placement schemes were based on faulty assumptions!

10 Rodent Management Sanitation & Harborage Elimination - Indoors and out! - Deprive rodents of food, water, hiding places and harborage they require. The only convenient place to hide should be a bait box or trap. - Clutter = nesting opportunities. Exclusion - Repair any gaps or holes ¼ inch or larger.

11 Rodenticides Mostly anticoagulants. Some other modes of action. Rodents have highly developed senses of taste. Rodenticide a.i. s can be detected to ppb levels and they vary in palatability. Palatibility is a function of both active ingredient and bait matrix Formulations include high quality ingredients, vitamins, minerals, etc.

12 Best and worst for rodenticide palatability Best: First Strike Soft Bait active ingredient contributes least offensive taste, plus highly attractive moist bait matrix. Worst: Terad3. Active Ingredient is the most bitter. Disagreeable bait can also promote bait shyness.

13 When Things Still Get Out of Control Make adjustments to routine program. Add devices! In-depth inspection with UV light. Best use of UV: At known infestations to determine travel paths. Mass trapping - Dozens or maybe hundreds of glue boards and snap traps. Glue boards will catch young, dumb rodents. Snap traps better for older, experienced animals. - Pre-bait / pre-position traps: 4 day rule of thumb. Traditional foods and an array of flavors & food groups. - After success, shift trap positions a few feet. When all else fails fumigate!

14 Now, on to Birds Biology, Pressure & Control

15 Birds are filthy, but people love them! Droppings, feathers, and nest debris are full of pathogens and other pests. People, including facility employees, will get upset if birds are killed or distressed.

16 Birds Indoors? Shooting still common but has lots of hazards (beyond the obvious). - Damage to lights, roof, etc. - Carcass recovery, blood contamination. - Potential contamination by pellets, etc. - Personnel sympathy for birds Protocols when birds get inside? - Food safety considerations. - First steps before getting the gun? - Encourage birds to fly out

17 Indoor birds, cont. Analyze how and why birds get inside. Corrective actions - Better discipline to keep doors closed - Screening and other means to exclude Consider mist nets or trapping for interior captures.

18 Most Buildings Do Not Have a Bird Problem! But, tolerate a few birds or nests, and soon you will have a rookery!

19 Lots of Techniques for Bird Control Selection can be tricky. More than one, plus movement, is often necessary. Non-lethal methods are best! Scare devices: audio, visual, decoys Harassment devices: dogs, lasers & light, chemical fogs Roosting deterrents: hardware devices, sticky gels Exclusion

20 Elements of bird pressure Food and water availability/controllability Building attractiveness/alternative sites Flock commitment

21 Understand Concept of Bird Pressure, Link to Architectural Detail, and Apply Proper Devices Increasing Pressure.Better Remedies.. Quality Protection for the Food & Commodity Industries TM

22 Avicides Species - Pigeons, sparrows, crows, grackles, starlings Labor - Medium (requires pre-baiting) Best Suited - Industrial areas Drawbacks Can kill non-target birds Special permits may be needed Restrictions may apply Possible public outcry if birds die Often misused by applicators

23 Trapping Species - Pigeons, sparrows, grackles, starlings Labor - High unless just a few birds Best Suited - Small flocks, discreet settings Drawbacks Time consuming Birds may return if not taken far enough

24 Shooting with Air Rifle Species - All that are legal (pigeon, sparrow, starling) Labor - Varies by job Best Suited - Commercial, industrial, rural (away from public view) Drawbacks Possible fire-arm restrictions Possible permits Public reaction to shooting

25 Audio/Visual Deterrents Species - Gulls, geese, crows, grackles, starlings, woodpeckers Labor - Medium depending upon site Best Suited - Flocks in rural, commercial areas Drawbacks Sounds can irritate humans Repeat applications usually necessary Often only short term results

26 Newest open space dispersal solutions OvoControl General use pesticide Feed on rooftops or other flat surface 50% flock reduction in 1 year Eagle Eye Reflects light making navigation uncomfortable For Pigeons and Gulls

27 Flock reduction with OvoControl General use pesticide Establish baiting site(s) for bite size kibbles Feed on rooftops or other flat surface Evaluate bait acceptance Condition birds to the daily feeding Use automatic feeder

28 Traditional Ledge Products The science: Create an unsuitable landing area Pigeons and Larger choice based upon Aesthetics, Cost, Customer preference Must cover entire length and width of ledge

29 Bad Bird Job?

30 Daddi Long Legs

31 Cleaning and Safety

32 Thanks for your attention!