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Honey bee pests and diseases

Description

This comprehensive guide helps beekeepers to identify and control honey bee diseases and pests.

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Honey bee pests and diseases : best management practices

Description

Best management practices for honey bees in Alberta.

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Rat control in Alberta

Description

Albertans have enjoyed living without the menace of rats since 1950, when the provincial rat control program was established. Norway rats are well known to be extremely destructive creatures. The... More ≫

Description

Albertans have enjoyed living without the menace of rats since 1950, when the provincial rat control program was established. Norway rats are well known to be extremely destructive creatures. The economic losses they cause to stored and infield crops, the destruction of property and their effects on human health have been widely documented for decades. This information sheet includes information on how to identify rats and how to recognize their presence. It also includes information on both passive and active measures that can be taken to control rats.

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The history of rat control in Alberta

Description

Norway rats are one of the most destructive creatures known to man. They destroy and contaminate untold quantities of food, and through their tunneling activities, undermine the foundations of... More ≫

Description

Norway rats are one of the most destructive creatures known to man. They destroy and contaminate untold quantities of food, and through their tunneling activities, undermine the foundations of buildings, sewer and water lines, and city streets. Rats also weaken and deface buildings by gnawing holes through floors, walls, insulation and supporting structures. Norway rats carried the flea that spread plague throughout Europe and Asia. Even today, they spread organisms responsible for food poisoning, hepatitis, tularemea and other diseases. Thus, the people of Alberta are extremely fortunate not to have rats. This is not by chance but by design. For the past four decades, Alberta has had a program to keep rats out of the province. This publication describes the evolution, history and current status of the rat control program in Alberta, and discusses factors which contributed to its success.

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Spotted alfalfa aphid

Description

Presents a description of the spotted alfalfa aphid, describes the type of damage it can cause to alfalfa crops, and looks at biological and chemical methods of controlling the insect. This... More ≫

Description

Presents a description of the spotted alfalfa aphid, describes the type of damage it can cause to alfalfa crops, and looks at biological and chemical methods of controlling the insect. This species of aphid can be more serious on alfalfa than the pea aphid because it not only sucks out the juice of the plant, but it also injects a toxin into it.

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Biology and control of skunks

Description

People generally relate skunks to the foul-smelling, defensive spray they discharge when scared or threatened. Generally, people avoid skunks and have little tolerance for their presence. In many... More ≫

Description

People generally relate skunks to the foul-smelling, defensive spray they discharge when scared or threatened. Generally, people avoid skunks and have little tolerance for their presence. In many parts of North America, skunks are also a major carrier of rabies. Rabies has been present in the skunk population of southern Alberta, at fluctuating levels, since the late 1970s. This information sheet includes a brief look at the biology, behaviour and reproduction of skunks, and then focuses on non-lethal and lethal methods of skunk control.

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Starlings and their control

Description

Starlings were brought to North America from Europe in the late 1890’s. Since that time, they have greatly increased in number and have spread across most of the North American continent. In... More ≫

Description

Starlings were brought to North America from Europe in the late 1890’s. Since that time, they have greatly increased in number and have spread across most of the North American continent. In Alberta, starlings can be a nuisance to livestock producers. They consume and contaminate livestock feed and water. They also “whitewash” buildings, facilities and animals with their droppings. In winter, flocks of up to 2,000 birds can consume 1 to 2 tonnes of feed in a month and can contaminate or spoil an additional 500 to 1,000 kg of feed. Worse still, starlings may selectively eat the high-protein portion of protein-supplemented livestock feed.

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House sparrows and their control

Description

The house sparrow, like many pest birds, was introduced to North America in the mid-1800s. Since then, the house or English sparrow (not a true sparrow but a European finch), has become one of the... More ≫

Description

The house sparrow, like many pest birds, was introduced to North America in the mid-1800s. Since then, the house or English sparrow (not a true sparrow but a European finch), has become one of the most widespread and adaptive birds found on this continent.

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Pests of vegetables

Description

Managing common insects, weeds, plant diseases and certain animal pests found in the backyard can be a challenge. However, there are a number of ways to approach the problem. Information in this... More ≫

Description

Managing common insects, weeds, plant diseases and certain animal pests found in the backyard can be a challenge. However, there are a number of ways to approach the problem. Information in this publication will help identify and manage pest problems. Pest management methods will vary among individuals according to their tolerance of the pest, the damage and a basic philosophy about handling pest problems. It may not be necessary to control pests if numbers are low and damage is not significant. At other times, simply spraying a tree with water, pruning a branch or digging up a weed will reduce or eliminate the problem. Natural predators may also control the pest problem. Backyard Pest Management is designed to help focus on the key areas of pest management. The first section provides basic approaches to pest management and looks at ways to prevent problems and handle them as they arise. Further sections focus focus on the insects and the types of plants they damage. There are many...

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Pests of coniferous trees and shrubs

Description

Managing common insects, weeds, plant diseases and certain animal pests found in the backyard can be a challenge. However, there are a number of ways to approach the problem. Information in this... More ≫

Description

Managing common insects, weeds, plant diseases and certain animal pests found in the backyard can be a challenge. However, there are a number of ways to approach the problem. Information in this publication will help identify and manage pest problems. Pest management methods will vary among individuals according to their tolerance of the pest, the damage and a basic philosophy about handling pest problems. It may not be necessary to control pests if numbers are low and damage is not significant. At other times, simply spraying a tree with water, pruning a branch or digging up a weed will reduce or eliminate the problem. Natural predators may also control the pest problem. Backyard Pest Management is designed to help focus on the key areas of pest management. The first section provides basic approaches to pest management and looks at ways to prevent problems and handle them as they arise. Further sections focus focus on the insects and the types of plants they damage. There are many...

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