What is a “Non Target Species” and Why Do I Care?

This month I would like to take a few minutes to discuss non target species.  This is a seldom discussed but important subject because, although it may not matter to a person who just lost several hundred or several thousand dollars worth of grapes to animal damage, it is critical to your state or federal regulatory agent.

Several times in this column I have mentioned the removal from the market of different chemicals for agricultural pest control.  I havecomplained, if you will, that these chemicals were highly effective, and in losing them the grower has lost a valuable defense mechanism for his crop.  All of this is correct.  However, I have not discussed some of the reasons why some of these highly effective control measures have been lost.

What is a non target species?  It is any species of animal, bird, you could even say plant, that is harmed by a control technique or measure not intended for it specifically.  There are two examples of control measures that come to mind which lend themselves to no target trapping and baiting.

The first is Modified Australian Crow Traps.  These effective traps catch everything that enters them to feed.  You may be targeting starlings and finches.  You will likely get, starlings, finches, robins, jays, the occasional tanager, or oriole, possibly some blackbirds, maybe even a squirrel now and again.  Okay, so if they were in your vineyard feeding they’re all fair game right?  Nope.  You can euthanize the starlings and finches and possibly the blackbirds if you have a permit and can sort out the Brewers blackbirds from the Red-winged and Yellow headed blackbirds.  If you can catch the squirrels, well, you probably won’t be able to....  Everything else has to be let go.

The next example is bait stations.  We use bait stations all the time for ground squirrel control work.  Every station has to have a restricted opening to allow ground squirrels in but not rabbits.  The rabbits are a non target species.  If we get them were likely to lose the right to treat that area.  Possibly we could lose the right to use that chemical.

I am reminded of a gentleman last year who had just recently become the manager for a rather large vineyard.  He asked if I would be willing to come visit and help him take stock of some of the existing bird control equipment as well as make any recommendations for new equipment.  One of the things we found was 3 to 4-inch wide by about 4-foot long trays.  “What are these?” I asked.  “Oh, those are the strychnine trays for the birds,” Oops.  As you might guess, that’s not legal any more.  Any bird can land and feed on the bait, and any bird will die.  Fortunately for this gentleman he knew what they were, had not used them, and had not planned on using them.

So, why should you care if you get a non target bird or animal now and again?  Well, by following the laws you are looking out for your own best interest.  The federal government and some of the well-known regulatory agencies are criticized early and often and they deserve some of it.  But on the other hand, after the aerial application of the chemical 1080 wiped out a lot of birds and animals, in addition to the ground squirrels and prairie dogs it was intended for, can you blame them for being “oversensitive”?  Now that was quite a few years ago, and for the most part it was applied bystate employed crews, but we need to reflect on the whole picture from time to time instead of the sometimes bizarre regulatory reality we currently deal with.

The best way to protect your current valuable crop protection chemicals, techniques, and products is to take the time to ensure that they are working as intended.  If you have a starling, or ground squirrel problem great, go get ‘em.  If you have a problem with quail, Western Tanagers, Bullock’s Orioles, or even jays, you need to either wait for quail season, or just be content with your hazing techniques.  That’s one of the nice things about hazing on your vineyard.  There are no non target species.  It even works on the neighbor’s dog.

It is possible to get a depredation permit from time to time from the state.  A representative will discuss with you the options for a certain pest species.  They may possibly come to your vineyard to discuss and view the problem.  It is up to them to decide whether or not your problem is worthy of a special permit to allow the removal of some species.  It is worth a try if you have a bad enough problem.

Now we’ve covered the “what and why” of non target species.  Hopefully it was useful for you.  If you ever want to pursue any of these articles further drop me a line at wctmike@aol.com.  I’ll do my best to respond promptly.  See you at WineTech.