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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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Aster yellows and aster leafhopper

Description

Aster yellows is a phytoplasma organism. Phytoplasmas are specialized wall-less bacteria that are parasites known only to multiply in plant phloem tissue and insect vectors. There are 28 groups... More ≫

Description

Aster yellows is a phytoplasma organism. Phytoplasmas are specialized wall-less bacteria that are parasites known only to multiply in plant phloem tissue and insect vectors. There are 28 groups of phytoplasmas worldwide and seven known groups in Canada. In Canada, approximately 20 insect species can transmit aster yellows to more than 200 plant species. In Alberta, the most common insect vector is the aster leafhopper (Macrosteles quadrilineatus), also known as the six-spotted leafhopper. The leafhopper species Amplicephalus inimicus is also an important aster yellows vector in cereals.

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Economic thresholds for insects attacking oilseeds

Description

Many economic thresholds for insects attacking oilseed crops currently in use are nominal (i.e. unsupported by research). Some economic thresholds have been developed for major pests attacking... More ≫

Description

Many economic thresholds for insects attacking oilseed crops currently in use are nominal (i.e. unsupported by research). Some economic thresholds have been developed for major pests attacking crops in Western Canada. The following data have been compiled from various sources, including the guidelines published by the Western Committee on Crop Pests, and indicate the economic threshold recommendations being made.

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Bertha armyworm

Description

Bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) is one of the most significant insect pests of canola in Canada. The pest occurs throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the interior of British... More ≫

Description

Bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) is one of the most significant insect pests of canola in Canada. The pest occurs throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the interior of British Columbia. Severe infestations can occur throughout most of this area, but are usually (but not always) limited to the Parkland area of the Prairies and the Peace River region of British Columbia and Alberta. This document provide background, Life cycle, damage description and monitoring and control recommendations for the Bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata).

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Lesser grain borer

Description

The lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica) is a grain-feeding insect found sporadically in southern Alberta. It is distributed worldwide, and in Canada, it has been reported from British... More ≫

Description

The lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica) is a grain-feeding insect found sporadically in southern Alberta. It is distributed worldwide, and in Canada, it has been reported from British Columbia, across the prairies and into Ontario and Quebec. However, this insect is rare in Canadian stored grain, and it is unlikely the insect can survive the entire winter in farm bins in western Canada.

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