Publications

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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Control of rabbits and hares

Description

Orchards, nurseries, shelterbelts and gardens can suffer economic losses and aesthetic damage because of gnawing animals. Most damage occurs from late fall until early spring when extreme weather... More ≫

Description

Orchards, nurseries, shelterbelts and gardens can suffer economic losses and aesthetic damage because of gnawing animals. Most damage occurs from late fall until early spring when extreme weather conditions limit the available food supply. Plant damage can also be extensive during periods of drought or when rabbit and hare populations are high.

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Protecting livestock from predation with electric fences

Description

Electric fences are an important tool for protecting livestock in Alberta. Such fences have been used in the province to protect livestock from predators for more than two decades. Predators such... More ≫

Description

Electric fences are an important tool for protecting livestock in Alberta. Such fences have been used in the province to protect livestock from predators for more than two decades. Predators such as coyotes, wolves, bears and domestic dogs are shocked when they try to penetrate an electric fence. For the most part, electric fences have been used to protect pastured sheep; however, these fences do have other applications. They can be used around birthing yards to protect newborn calves or lambs, or they can serve to protect poultry and farmed deer.

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An improved magpie trap

Description

It seems a paradox that one of the most clever and most beautiful members of the bird family Corvidae (also includes jays, crows and ravens) could also be a serious pest. Unfortunately, the... More ≫

Description

It seems a paradox that one of the most clever and most beautiful members of the bird family Corvidae (also includes jays, crows and ravens) could also be a serious pest. Unfortunately, the magpies’ carnivorous habit presents a problem when it preys on beneficial wildlife, inflicts injury on young livestock and spreads livestock disease. Ultimately, there may be a need for some type of control. The beneficial aspects of the magpie must also be considered when control programs are designed and employed. The role of magpies as scavengers and consumers of insects is well documented by several studies, and these beneficial aspects must always be taken into account.

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Control of porcupine damage

Description

The porcupine is Alberta’s second largest rodent, measuring up to 90 cm in length and weighing as much as 12 kg (Figure 1). They live throughout the province, usually near stands of woody... More ≫

Description

The porcupine is Alberta’s second largest rodent, measuring up to 90 cm in length and weighing as much as 12 kg (Figure 1). They live throughout the province, usually near stands of woody vegetation. The porcupine has a unique defence mechanism of up to 30,000 hardened barbed quills built into its coat. The porcupine is an interesting animal that has an important place in the environment. Porcupines are edible and have been used by humans as an emergency food. The quills are used for decoration, especially by native Canadians. The hair is very popular among fly fisherman. Porcupines may need to be controlled but should not be totally eradicated.

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Prevention and control of raccoon damage

Description

In the last decade, raccoons have become an agricultural wildlife nuisance in Alberta. Raccoons thrive in close association with man, and their numbers are increasing in the urban fringes. This is... More ≫

Description

In the last decade, raccoons have become an agricultural wildlife nuisance in Alberta. Raccoons thrive in close association with man, and their numbers are increasing in the urban fringes. This is particularly true in areas south of the Bow river and the South Saskatchewan river. As raccoons become more abundant in Alberta, problems of bird depredation, disease transmission and agricultural damage will increase.

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Predator damage control in cultured fish

Description

Birds, fish and mammals are known predators of cultured fish. Bird predation is the major source of fish loss at aquaculture facilities. Predatory fish can also be a major concern to fish stocks,... More ≫

Description

Birds, fish and mammals are known predators of cultured fish. Bird predation is the major source of fish loss at aquaculture facilities. Predatory fish can also be a major concern to fish stocks, followed by mammal predation to a much lesser extent. The diversity of Alberta’s aquaculture practices as well as the variety of predators means producers need to understand damage prevention and control techniques. These control measures may be used singly or in combination to alleviate predation problems.

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Protecting livestock with guard donkeys

Description

Farmers are increasingly turning to non-lethal techniques for predator management including electric fencing, electronic guards and guardian animals. In Alberta, guard donkeys have become popular... More ≫

Description

Farmers are increasingly turning to non-lethal techniques for predator management including electric fencing, electronic guards and guardian animals. In Alberta, guard donkeys have become popular as protectors of sheep and cattle and perform very well under certain conditions.

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Using electric fences to protect stored hay from elk and deer

Description

Alberta landholders in the natural range of elk have occasionally suffered substantial losses of stored hay during winter. Depredation of hay and greenfeed bales by elk is worst when snowfall... More ≫

Description

Alberta landholders in the natural range of elk have occasionally suffered substantial losses of stored hay during winter. Depredation of hay and greenfeed bales by elk is worst when snowfall occurs early and the snow is deep. Fencing hay yards with 2.1 m high mesh wire has been an effective, but expensive, way to keep elk away from stored hay. A more economical way to prevent elk and deer damage employing electrified fencing is being used by farmers in British Columbia. To test the effectiveness of this kind of fencing in Alberta, an electric fence was built around a one acre hay yard near Niton Junction. Elk had been responsible for serious hay depredation at the farm in the previous winter. Elk were unable to penetrate the electric fence. Not only was the fence effective, but the electric fence cost much less to build than a comparable fence using barrier mesh. The material cost for building an electric fence is about half the cost of a mesh fence.

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Swallow control

Description

Six species of swallows occur in Alberta. Most have similar life histories and requirements for food and water. Only cliff and barn swallows regularly build mud nests on buildings and other... More ≫

Description

Six species of swallows occur in Alberta. Most have similar life histories and requirements for food and water. Only cliff and barn swallows regularly build mud nests on buildings and other structures. This habit occasionally causes problems. Cliff swallows can be a nuisance because they nest in large colonies of up to several hundred birds. Other swallows tend to nest in smaller colonies or in single pairs and consequently do not usually cause a major problem.

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