. Agri-news. Agriculture. Phone: (403) 427-2121. March 28,1994 CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO t CANABIANA Spring clean-up includes field rodents Warm, sunny days and spring clean-up may seem a long time away, but plans for field rodent control should be underway now says an Alberta Agriculture specialist. "Many people wait for warm weather before tackling ground squirrel—commonly called gopher—and pocket gopher problems, only to learn they are several weeks too late," says John Bourne, northeast regional supervisor of problem wildlife. A well planned, early assault on field rodents, just as
. Agri-news. Agriculture. Phone: (403) 427-2121. March 28,1994 CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO t CANABIANA Spring clean-up includes field rodents Warm, sunny days and spring clean-up may seem a long time away, but plans for field rodent control should be underway now says an Alberta Agriculture specialist. "Many people wait for warm weather before tackling ground squirrel—commonly called gopher—and pocket gopher problems, only to learn they are several weeks too late," says John Bourne, northeast regional supervisor of problem wildlife. A well planned, early assault on field rodents, just as they emerge from hibernation and start feeding above ground, produces the best results. Once removed, the key to keeping fields free from neighboring ground squirrels is preventing outsiders from entering the field. Summer-long vigilance and treatment is necessary for success. Bourne recommends several control efforts in peripheral areas such as fencelines. "A variety of products, services and techniques are recommended or registered for ground squirrel control," notes Bourne. 'The use and limits of each, depend upon the severity, location and type of ; Occasionally, ground squirrels will damage lawns, gardens or ornamentals. Bourne suggests these can usually be handled by exclusion, removal with a live capture or leg hold trap. However, most problems with ground squirrels involve crop, forage or pasture land. In large areas, a pre-mixed bait—strychnine on meal pellets or cereal grain—works well. For the best results, offer food baits to ground squirrels when their numbers are low and the natural food supply is scarce. This means treating fields early in the spring, when only adults are out. Baits work best if lush, green growth is absent. "Don't wait until after green-up because new, succulent plant growth is much more attractive to ground squirrels than baits," explains Bourne. Concentrated liquid strychnine is no longer available for
Size: 2102px × 1189px
Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookleafnumber71, booksubjectagriculture, jandec
