This month I want to cover a lot of ground in a short period of time (no pun intended).  Rodent control has been a topic of particular interest over the last few months.  Let’s look at some options for the grape grower.

Chemical control of rodents (gophers, ground squirrels) consists of baiting techniques and fumigants.  The grape grower can use anti-coagulants, acute toxicants, and gas cartridges.  These products are effective when used properly.  The restrictions on the use of these products involve individual licensing for the use of restricted materials, placement of the toxicants in underground burrow systems or bait stations and the use of materials in areas that are known endangered species habitat.  The bottom line with chemical control is that it is the most effective way to control rodents, but requires the full attention of the applicator to ensure the best and safest results.

Rodent trapping is another option for the grower.  However, in California, trapping can presently be considered “endangered”.  Radical animal rights activists such as The Fund for Animals and PETA, supported by groups such as the Sierra Club and the Humane Society have succeeded in pulling the wool over enough peoples eyes to get a ballot initiative introduced for November of this year.  The “Initiative to Ban Cruel Traps” ignores proven scientific evidence and years of trapping experience and innovations by focusing on the emotional aspect of trapping.  The long and short of it is that California is going to vote on it’s animal damage management options this year and allow urbanites who don’t see animals, much less have to deal with economic loss from them, decide the fate of agricultural pest control for the rest of the state.  What this means for the rest of us is the loss of any trapping device for any furbearing animal.

While this will be a huge loss for the agricultural industry, it will probably pass anyway, if the Mountain Lion initiative is any indication.  The only way we’ll see it reversed is if uncontrolled coyotes in the Los Angeles Basin and Bay Area continue to attack and actually kill enough children that the public outcry demands a sensible legal review of a bad law.  Presently, again, mountain lions can be used as an example because they’ve killed adults but only maimed a few children in the last two years, and that hasn’t been enough. 

This sounds harsh, but the reality is harsh.  When your dealing with law driven by emotion, the only thing that seems to bring common sense into the issue is an emotional tragedy like a child being attacked by a wild animal.  Unfortunately, that reality is being ignored right now, in favor of warm fuzzy feelings for animals.

At any rate, in the interim, growers may rely on trapping as a very usable addition to their chemical control program.  Trapping allows the grower to target and eliminate specific problem animals.

Biological control of  rodents is a hot topic for one reason right now.  While choice of cover crop, weed control, irrigation practices, and discing are all effective rodent control considerations, Barn Owls definitely are in the spotlight right now.

Barn Owls eat gophers.  Barn Owls eat gophers that live in vineyards.  Barn Owls are fun to watch and you may learn lots of things you probably wouldn’t have known otherwise.  Barn Owls will not control your gopher problem.  I think that Barn Owl nest boxes are a great thing to have in a vineyard because you will have a few more gophers eaten than if you don’t have owls around at all.  In addition, it is nice to know that someone or something else is helping you with the rodent control problem. 

Having said all that, think about the term “biological control” a minute.  The idea is not complete eradication, but instead a management practice.  This is often overlooked when it comes to expectations from this type of control.

Well, there’s an overview of available rodent control techniques.  I hope these are as effective for you as they have been for others for years.  Soon, it will be time to discuss birds.