Ground Squirrels

Overview

Rozol^® RTU Field Rodent Bait is a commercial product that may be used for the control of Ground Squirrels (Richardson, Columbian, Franklin’s and Thirteen-lined) in rangelands, crop and non-crop areas.

Areas of Use

Ground squirrels typically inhabit rangeland vegetation, seed crops and areas directly adjacent to crops. Even though ground squirrels are foraging animals, placement of baits directly into the burrows or the use of bait stations is desirable to reduce hazards to non target animals.

Helpful Application Tips / Application Directions

For use in Canada ONLY

Hand Baiting: Locate all the ground squirrel burrows in the area of treatment and place 7 to 14 grams of bait into each burrow. Re-visit the site within 48 hours and re-bait all burrows where bait has been consumed or removed. Do not re-bait burrows where the bait has been undisturbed. Remove and bury any squirrel carcasses which are present above ground. A third re-baiting visit may be necessary for complete control.

Best Practices – Using Bait Stations:

Best Practices – Using Bait Stations:

Determine the approximate population present by visual count over a two day period. In areas where the ground squirrel is present, establish protected bait stations or tamper resistant boxes with an entrance hole of 7.6 cm using 1 station for every 50 animals counted. Place 500 grams of bait into the stations and check daily. Maintain an uninterrupted supply for 3 weeks or until all signs of feeding have stopped. In areas where ground squirrels have been known to inhabit, but are not currently present, preventative baiting in stations can be accomplished by placing stations containing 500 grams of bait every 30-60 m. Replace spoiled or moldy bait as necessary. Remove and bury any squirrel carcasses which are present above ground.

Bait Station Diagram

Use Limitations

Bait MUST either be placed in tamper-resistant bait stations or in locations not accessible to children, pets or livestock. DO NOT place bait in areas where there is a possibility of contaminating food or surfaces that come in direct contact with food. To ensure safe use of this product, tamper-resistant bait stations must have the following characteristics: 1) constructed of high-strength material (e.g., metal or injection molded plastic) and resistant to destruction by children and non-target animals; 2) entrance designed so that children and non-target animals cannot reach the bait; 3) internal structure that prevents bait from being shaken loose; 4) access panel which fastens securely and locks (e.g., metal screw or padlock); 5) capable of being securely fastened to a surface (e.g., nailed down); and, 6) clearly labelled: "WARNING POISON".

Rozol RTU Eng Specimen Label / MSDS

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Pocket Gophers

Overview

Rozol^® RTU Field Rodent Bait is a commercial product that may be used for the control of Pocket Gophers (Thomomys spp. and Geomys spp.) on lawns, golf courses, rangeland, and similar non-crop areas.

Areas of Use

Pocket gophers throw out low, fan-shaped mounds on either side of their underground burrows. These lateral tunnels come to the surface are on the flat side of the fan, and the entrance holes are plugged with loose soil.

Damage

• Pocket gophers can cause major damage to grassland, lawns and golf courses.

• An active infestation can reduce forage capacity up to 49%.

• Pocket gophers can damage underground utility cables, irrigation systems and farm buildings, leading to substantial crop and farm production losses.

• Gopher mounds damage farm implements, slow harvesting and can injure livestock.

• Gopher digging brings fresh seeds to the surface, facilitating infestations of noxious weeds, which may be toxic to livestock.

• Annual crop losses by pocket gophers to grain and alfalfa fields in Canada are estimated to be between $15 -$30 million.¹

¹Gilbert Proulx (2002) Effectiveness of Trapping to Control Northern Pocket Gophers in Agricultural Lands in Canada. Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference Volume 20 : pp. 26–31.

 

 

Helpful Application Tips & Tools

Spoon Application:

With a long-handled spoon, carefully remove the plug on the flat side of the fan. Carefully insert 15 grams of bait as far down into the hole as possible. Replace the soil plug to close the burrow, with care so that the bait is NOT covered with soil.

Probe Application:

Using a metal rod, probe 15-30 cm deep (6-12 inches) to locate the main tunnel. Consult diagram for location to probe. Drop 15 grams of bait into the tunnel and cover the hole so light will not enter the tunnel system.

Make 2-3 bait placements per burrow system. Bury dead animals and spilled bait found on soil surface immediately. Maintain a constant supply of bait in the burrow system for as long as there is pocket gopher activity. Do not apply bait on the surface of soil.

The right and the wrong ways to use a probe for placing pocket gopher bait are shown. Bait should be placed loosely in the main runway - not in the laterals or embedded in the bottom of the runway.

Note: Replace contaminated or spoiled bait immediately. Collect and dispose of all dead animals and unconsumed bait properly. To prevent reinfestation, eliminate food, water and harborage as much as possible. If reinfestation occurs, repeat treatment. Where a continuous source of infestation is present, establish permanent bait stations as necessary.

Rozol RTU Eng Specimen Label / MSDS

Rozol RTU Fr Specimen Label / MSDS

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