Methods for the control of problem opossums, bats, raccoons, and skunks are discussed. Basic biology of these animal species is provided. For the opossum, control methods include trapping, physical capture at night, or use of a strychnine formulation injected into eggs. The presence of bats in homes or other structures is a concern due to their pot...
Methods of controlling domestic pigeons, European starlings, and house sparrows are discussed in detail, with emphasis on urban bird problems. Trapping, exclusion, and roost dispersal by means of frightening devices (pyrotechnic tools such as cracker shells and fuse ropes, in particular) and roost sprays are described in detail. For capture of pige...
Methods of controlling meadow mice of various species are reviewed: Microtus californicus in the West, M. pennsylvanicus in the East, M. ochrogaster in the Midwest, and Pitymys spp. in the East and South. Control methods employed have included habitat modification, use of individual guards or repellents around tree trunks in orchards, and burrow fu...
Known methods for controlling both venomous and nonvenomous snakes are discussed. Among the techniques described are exclusion of snakes from structures, use of exclusion fencing, habitat change to reduce or remove food and cover favored by snakes, and searching for and killing snakes (often when rattlesnakes or copperheads first emerge from dens i...
Muskrats, originally native to only two small areas of California, are now widespread in their distribution, where they can cause damage to some crops, but are of particular concern because of their burrowing in structures of irrigation canals and ditchbanks, waterways, and levees. Methods of canal and waterway construction can reduce or prevent da...
Pocket gopher biology, behavior, damage, and control are discussed extensively in this paper, with emphasis on Thomomys spp. found in California and elsewhere in the western states. Habitat modification by use of herbicides to reduce forbs, which are preferred by gophers, has been demonstrated to be effective on Forest Service rangelands. Limitatio...
Damage to orchard crops and field crops in California by several species of native birds is described, covering biology, behavior, and typical damage caused by linnets (house finches), horned larks, crowned sparrows, and woodpeckers. The legal status of this birds is unique in California, as these migratory birds may be controlled under the authori...
Control tools and methods for moles and for woodrats (Neotoma spp.) are discussed in detail, with emphasis on California and other western states. Categories of control methods included are exclusion, repellents, traps and trapping, burrow fumigants, and toxicants. In regard to mole toxicants, experience indicates that sodium fluoroacetate and thal...
Biology, damage, management, and control of rabbits (genus Sylvilagus) and hares (genus Lepus) in California are described. This paper places emphasis on control of the common jackrabbit, Lepus californicus, as it is the most significant of the rabbit and hare species in California and the western states in terms of damage and the need for control....
Since 1963, biologists of the Denver Wildlife Research Center have been investigating methods of alleviating agricultural damage by the black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus). Of the several approaches to control, most biological methods (predation, habitat manipulation, disease and parasites, and chemosterilants) appear impractical with pres...
