18th Annual Wildlife Control
Instructional Seminar
January 16 - 18, 2012
Las Vegas, NV
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18th Annual Wildlife Control Instructional Seminar January 16 - 18, 2012 Las Vegas, NV
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Sponsored by:
Supported by:
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Western Rodent Control: Ground Squirrels
I. Introduction
II. Six species of ground squirrel in Montana.
A. Richardson 1. East of the Rocky Mountains B. Columbian 1. From the east slope of the Rocky mountains west C. Slender & Uinta 1. Southern edge of Montana D. Golden Mantled 1. High mountain areas 7000 ft + E. 13 Striped 1. From central Montana east
III. Basic life cycle biology
A. True Hibernators 1. August – October to February – March B. Early above ground activity 1. Males become active in mid February this signals the beginning of the breeding season. 2. Females become active about mid March 3. Young begin to appear the first week of May C. Reproduction 1. Gestation is 24 days 2. Average litter is 6-8 with as many as 12 + 3. One litter per year D. Young dispersal 1. Starts in mid June and runs into late July 2. Move in groups usually led by an adult male E. Late season activity 1. Mid to late July ground squirrels start harvesting mature grass seed for their winter food cache 2. Hot dry August days cause squirrels to spend more time underground 3. September “green up” causes a last minute surge of feeding activity 4. Majority of the squirrels are hibernating by October
IV. Damage issues
A. Residential 1. Large number of den holes and mounds of dirt 2. Consumption of lawn and garden plants 3. Accessing buildings 4. Dropping around human activity areas B. Rural and agricultural 1. Consumption and destruction of crops 2. Mounds of dirt make it difficult for machinery to work fields efficiently 3. Holes in pastures endanger livestock and machinery a. Badgers dig down to catch the ground squirrels and leave huge holes and mounds
V. Control solutions
A. Rodenticides 1. Fumigants 2. Acute oral 3. Chronic oral B. Propane blaster 1. Effectiveness is based on soil type and tunnel configuration C. Shooting 1. Fast removal of small numbers 2. Can only be used in limited situations a. may be illegal in certain areas b. Area needs to be large enough to accommodate safe projectile termination c. Costs can be prohibitive 3. Weapons a. 22 rimfire is the most common caliber weapon used b. Air rifles are the best overall weapon D. Trapping 1. Safest of all options available 2. Highly effective 3. Traps a. Body grip 1. 110 magnum 2. 3 ˝” RBG 3. Tube trap b. Setting 1. Configure hole to trap 2. Position trigger in target area 3. Trigger always to the inside 4. Stake solid
VI. Operator safety precautions when trapping
A. Sign an agreement with the customer 1. What they can expect from you and what you expect from them 2. State law may require some form of written permission when in close proximity to homes B. Distribute written notices to adjacent home owners which includes tamper laws and penalties C. Put up warning signs on the perimeter of set properties D. Trap placement 1. When dealing with people, out of sight out of mind a. In high traffic areas put a cover over the trap and hole with only a small opening that allow the target animal access 2. Put trigger wires to the back to protect pets from accidental punctures 3. Square type body grips should be set on end to close side to side, not top to bottom to facilitate pet escape 4. Stake solid to facilitate pet escape
VII. Questions
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