Refining the control of northern pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides) in agro-Manitoba
| dc.contributor.author | Dubois-Claussen, Melanie | en_US |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2007-05-22T15:10:38Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2007-05-22T15:10:38Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 1999-05-01T00:00:00Z | en_US |
| dc.degree.discipline | Natural Resources Management | en_US |
| dc.degree.level | Master of Natural Resources Management (M.N.R.M.) | en_US |
| dc.description.abstract | The northern pocket gopher is a serious pest in Manitoba forage fields. It is estimated that damages to forage crops and harvesting machinery exceeds $15 million annually (estimated in 1996). The objectives of this study were to (1) develop an accurate census method for northern pocket gophers; (2) to study burrow ranges and movements of the northern pocket gopher; (3) to evaluate the efficacy of a zinc phosphide rodenticide on northern pocket gophers; (4) to compare the performance of two artificial burrow building machines; and (5) to provide management recommendations for forage producers. A census method with a time period of three days was the most efficient, with an acceptable level of accuracy of 92.3%. Burrow ranges of Manitoba northern pocket gophers were found to be similar to those described in the literature. A male that was radio-collared had a range double the size of the collared female. The zinc phosphide rodenticide (B.O.B$\sp\circler),$ reduced mounding activity by 38%-61%, and B.O.B$\sp\circler$ is recommended for application in the spring at a rate of 6.6 kg/2.5 ha with the Gofer$\sp\circler$ burrow builder. A management decision worksheet was developed and is outlined in a user-friendly format, designed for forage producers. This worksheet allows for quick determination of the most cost-effective method of controlling northern pocket gophers. | en_US |
| dc.format.extent | 3862067 bytes | |
| dc.format.extent | 184 bytes | |
| dc.format.mimetype | application/pdf | |
| dc.format.mimetype | text/plain | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/1993/1950 | |
| dc.language.iso | eng | en_US |
| dc.rights | open access | en_US |
| dc.title | Refining the control of northern pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides) in agro-Manitoba | en_US |
| dc.type | master thesis | en_US |