PB1624

Managing Nuisance Animals and Associated Damage

Around the Home

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Mammals

Bats

Chipmunks

Groundhogs

Moles

Rabbits

Raccoons

RatsandMice

Skunks

TreeSquirrels

Voles

Birds

HouseSparrows

EuropeanStarlings

Blackbirds(includingGrackles&Cowbirds)

Crows

Pigeons

Woodpeckers

CanadaGeese

GreatBlueHerons

Vultures

OtherBirdSpeciesandAssociatedProblems

Reptiles

Snakes

Lizards

Other animals

Crawdads

General Trapping Tips

Appendix A Baits and Trap Sizes for Trapping Various Animals

Appendix B For Further Assistance, Who Do You Call?

Appendix C Materials and Supplies

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1) Istheresomewaytokeeptheanimal(s)fromgettingtotheproblemsite?

Often,exclusionisthesimplest,mosteffectivesolutioninmanagingnuisanceanimals.Thismayinvolveusingheavy-dutyhardwarecloth(notscreenwire,becausemanyanimalscantearthroughscreen),sheetmetal,lumber,mortarorothermaterials.Regardless,oncetheanimalsaredrivenawayandentrancesclosed,theproblemissolved.

2) Cantheanimal(s)berepelledfromthesite,ordoesit(they)needtoberemoved?

Oneofthemosteffectivetoolsusedtorepelorexcludeanimalsfromgardensandbuildingsiselectricfencing.Sometimeschemical,visualorsoundrepellentswillkeepanimalsfromreachinganarea.Ifyoucan’tputupaneffectivebarrierorrepeltheanimalsfromthesite,thelaststepistoremovetheproblemanimal(s).Animalscanberemovedbylivetrappingand/orkillingtheanimal.TransportingliveanimalstoanothersiterequirespermissionfromthelandownerortheTennesseeWildlifeResourcesAgency(TWRA),dependinguponwheretheanimalistobereleased.Commonmethodsofeuthanasiaincludeshootingandthe

Craig A. Harper, Associate Professor, and Aubrey L. Deck, Extension Associate, Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries

Introduction Managingwildlifedamageistheoppositeoftraditionalwildlifemanagementwherepracticesareimplementedtoattractwildlife.Toattractwildlife,food,waterandcoveraremadeavailableforanimalsthroughouttheyear.Ifunwantedwildanimalsarefrequentingyourhomeorgarden,thereisatleastonesourceoffood,waterand/orcoverthatisattractingthem.Thesolutionistoremoveoraltertheseresourcessothattheareaisnolongerattractive.Mostwildlife,likehumans,arecreaturesofhabit;thus,stepsshouldbetakenimmediatelyuponobservingdamage. Whenthinkingthroughawildlifedamageproblem,askyourselfthefollowingquestions:

Managing Nuisance Animals and Associated Damage Around the Home

useoftoxicbaits.Rarelyisonecontrolmethodusedalonemosteffective,butwhenusedinconjunctionwithanothermethod(s),yourchancesofsuccessfulcontrolincrease. Itisimportanttorealizethatmanyfactorsmustbeconsideredbeforedecidingwhichcontroltechniqueismostappropriateforthecaseinhand.Forexample,federallawsprohibitkillingmanybirdspecies.Inaddition,theecologyandbehaviormustbeunderstoodbeforeattemptinga control program, in order to be as efficient and effectiveaspossible.Also,itiswisetoconsidertheopinionsandemotionsofpeopleaffectedbythecontrolprogramortheprocesscouldbeviewedinanegativemannerandallworkmightbeendedprematurely. ThefollowinganimalsareunprotectedinTennesseeandcanbetrappedorkilledatanytimewithoutapermitfromtheTWRAortheUSFishandWildlifeService(USFWS):housemouse,Norwayrat,roof(orblack)rat,pigeon,English(orhouse)sparrowandEuropeanstarling.Inaddition,alandownermaytrapand/orkillanyrodentorfurbearer(ifnotthreatenedorendangered)orsmall-gamespecieswithoutapermitifthatanimalisdestroyingordepredatingthelandowner’sproperty.ApermitisrequiredfromtheTWRAtokillbig-gamespecies(i.e.,

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white-taileddeer,blackbear,wildturkey,wildboar)outsideofthedesignatedhuntingseasons.ApermitfromtheUSFWSisrequiredtotraporkillmigratoryspeciesandallspecieslistedasthreatenedorendangered.Followingisadescriptionofproblemscommonwithseveralwildlifespeciesandoptionsforpreventingandmanagingtheseproblems.

Bats Bats are insectivorous, flying mammals (animalswithhair)thatconsumethousandsofinsectspernight(oftenequalingone-thirdtheirbodyweightin30minutes!).Batselicitanegativeresponsefrommostofthegeneralpublic;however,thepresenceofbatsaroundyourhomeshouldnotcauseconcern,unlesstheygetinside.Batsnormallymateinthefallandwinter;however,ovulationandfertilizationaredelayeduntilspring.Itisatthistimethatbatsmaymoveintoatticsandwallspaces.Birthstypicallyoccurinlatespringandearlysummer,afterwhichmaternalcoloniesmaybeformed.Thesecoloniestypicallydisperseinlatesummerandbatsbegintosearchforhibernating sites around the time of the first frost. Therefore,ifbatsareinyouratticinlatesummer,theyprobablywillbeleavingontheirowninafewweeks. Ifbatsareencounteredinthelivingquartersofyourhome,openanydoorsorwindowsleadingoutside. Bats will find their way out by detecting freshairmovement.Ifbatsarepresentatnightfall,turn off the lights so the bats can find the open doorsandwindowstogetoutside;otherwise,theymayseekrefugebehinddrapes,curtainsandwallhangings.Variousdevicesthatemitahighfrequencysoundhavebeentriedforrepellingbats,butinmostinstances,theyhavebeenineffective. Naphthalenecrystalsormothballscontainingnaphthalenemaybeusefulinrepellingbatsinattics,betweenstudwalls,crawlspacesorotherareaswithlittleaircirculation.Naphthalene

vaporsareheavierthanair;therefore,ballsshouldbehunginbaseball-sizeclumpsinmeshbagsoroldpantyhoseintheareareceivingdamage.Naphthaleneisnoteffectiveoutsideorotherareaswherethereisadequateventilation.Prolongedinhalationofnaphthalenevaporsmaybeharmfultohumans;therefore,itisnotrecommendedtoplacemothballswithnaphthaleneinaroomyoufrequent. Illuminationcanbeeffectiveinrepellingbats.Lightsstrungthroughouttheatticilluminatingallpossibleroostsitesduringthedaytimemaycausebatstoleave.Installingwindowsinatticsforincreasedlightduringthedaytimewillreducetheattractivenessforroosting.Oncebatshaveleftfortheeveningorhavebeenremoved,allholesallowingentry(3/8inchorlarger)shouldbecoveredwith¼-inchhardwarecloth,sheetmetal,caulkingorotherbuildingmaterial.Theseopeningscanbefoundby:1)observingbatsleavingthebuildingatdusk,2)checkingforlightenteringtheatticduringthedaytime, and 3) checking for airflow with a smoke source and flashlight at night. It is wise to close allpossiblepointsofentryexceptone(usuallythemainsourceofentry).Thisopeningshouldbeclosedtemporarilywithremovablematerialsuchasaluminumfoil.Beforeclosingpermanently,checkinsideandmakesureallbatshaveescapedorbeenremovedandthatnonearetrappedinside(whichmaydieandcreateodorandsanitationproblems).Ifabatremainsinside,thealuminumfoilcanberemovedthenextevening,allowingthebattoleave.

Mammals

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OthersolutionstoallowbatstoexitopeningsandnotcomebackincludeinstallingaPVCpipeleadingoutsidewitha90-degreeanglepointingdownward.Batswillleavetheatticthroughthisstructurebutwillnotcomebackin.Leavethedeviceinplaceforafewdays,thenremoveitandclosethehole.Also,alongskirtofpolypropylenebirdnettingcanbeattachedaboveandonbothsidesofthehole,allowingbatstogetout,butnotgetbackin. Rabiesisthemostserioushealthconcernregardingbats.Batsrankthird(behindraccoonsandskunks)inincidenceofwildliferabiesintheU.S.Batsfoundonthegroundshouldnotbehandled.Ifabiteoccurs,cleanthewoundwithsoapandwaterandseekmedicalattentionatonce.Thesuspectbatshouldbecaptured(withoutdamagingthehead)andtakentothelocalhealthdepartment.Obviously,relativelyfewbatshaverabies,however,ifoneisfoundonthegroundthelikelihoodofsomethingbeingwrongwithitgreatlyincreases. Batguano(fecalwaste)inatticsmayaccumulateovertimeandpresentarealhealthhazard.Batguanoprovidesagrowthmediumformicroorganisms,someofwhicharepathogenic.Histoplasmosisisacommonlungdiseasecausedbyamicroscopicfungus,Histoplasma capsulatum,whichmaybefoundinbatguano.Itisimportanttoremovefecalmaterialaswellasbaturinethathascrystallized.Thisworkshouldnotbeundertakenwithoutwearingarespirator mask capable of filtering a particle size of2microns,whichshouldpreventinhalationofHistoplasmaspores.Contaminatedsurfacesshouldbecleanedwithsoapandwateraswellasa1:20solutionofbleachwater.Ifyoudiscoveraccumulationsofbatguanoinyourattic,youmaywishtocontactyourlocalhealthdepartmentforfurtherrecommendationsregardingwasteremoval.

ChipmunksChipmunksareground-dwellingsquirrelsthatinhabitwoodlandsandwoodlotedges.Chipmunksburrowunderwoodpiles,stumpsandothersuchplacessurroundingtheyard,andmaybecomepestsbyburrowingundergarages,basements,patios,retentionwallsandfoundations.Chipmunkburrowsystemsmaybeextensive,reaching30feetormore,includinganestingchamber,foodstoragechambersandescapetunnels.Moundsofdirtusuallyarenotevidentaroundburrowentrancesbecausechipmunkstransportthismaterialawayfromentranceholesintheircheekpouches.ChipmunksaremostactiveintheearlymorningandlateafternoonandusuallyarenotactiveduringwinterwhentheyenterarestlesshibernationuntiltemperaturesbegintowarminearlyMarch. Chipmunks occasionally find their way into anatticorgaragewherecachesofnuts,fruitsandseedsmaybefoundneartheircenterofactivity.Additionalproblemswithchipmunksincludefeeding on flower bulbs, seedlings, birdseed and petfood. Exclusionisthebestdefenseagainstchipmunksaroundyourhome.Heavy-dutyhardwareclothwith¼-inchmesh,caulking,mortaroradditionalboardingshouldbeusedtocloseupanyaccessareas.Flowergardenscanbeprotectedbycoveringtheseedbedwithhardwarecloth,thenplacingalayerofsoilon

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top.Stripsofwoodyvegetationandothergroundcoverthatconnectshrubberyaroundyourhomewithanadjacentwoodlotprovidechipmunksaready-madetravelcorridor.Woodpilesandgroundcovercanhideburrowentrances,makingthemhardtodetect.Birdfeedersandpetfoodshouldnotbeplacedadjacenttothehouseifyouhaveaproblemwithchipmunksorotherrodents. Naphthalenemayrepelchipmunksfromattics,wallspacesandotherareaswithlittleairmovement.Althoughchipmunksaresusceptibletorodenticidesusedtocontrolratsandmice,noneareregisteredforsuchuseandcannotberecommended.Fumigantsgenerallyareineffectiveforcontrollingchipmunksbecauseoftheirextensive,complexburrowsystems.Fumigantsshouldneverbeusedtocontrolanimalsunderahouseoranyotherdwellingwherepeoplearepresent. Shooting,wherelegal,maybeaneffectivemeansofremovingproblemchipmunks.Trappingisanotheroption.Bothlivetrapsandsnaptrapscanbeeffective.Baitsincludepeanutbutter,nutmeats, seeds (e.g., sunflower seeds) and fruits.Atrappingtipistoprebaitthetrapwithoutsettingitandallowtheanimal(s)tofeedatthetrapfor2-3daystoconditionthemselvestotakethebaitwithoutbeingspooked.Whenusingasnaptrapoutside,itisrecommendedtoplacethetrapundersometypeoftunnelcovering,suchasasmallboxwithnoends–justbesurethetraphasenoughclearancetooperateproperly.Trapssetadjacenttoawallorotherstructureshouldbecoveredbyleaningaboardagainstthewall.Thisallowsthechipmunktofeelmoresecurewhenfeedingandalsohelpstoprotectsongbirdsfrombeingcaught.Additionalbaitmaybeplacedneartheopeningsoftheboxorboardtoserveasanadditionalattractant.

Groundhogs Groundhogscanbeanuisancearoundgardensandpastures.Groundhogstendtopreferopenfarmland,asevidencedbytheirburrows.Themainentrancetoeachburrowisapproximately10-12inchesindiameteranddistinguishedbyalargemoundofdirtdepositedatthemainentrance.Allburrowshaveatleasttwoentrances.Secondaryentrancesmaybedugfromwithintheburrowandtypicallydonothaveamoundofdirtbesidethem.Secondaryentrancesusuallyarewell-hidden,servingasemergencyexits, and may be difficult to find. Groundhogs comeoutofhibernationinMarchandarereadyto eat and find a mate. Groundhogs relish pasture grassesandassociatedforbs,nottomentiongreensgrowinginavegetablegarden.Althoughthedamageassociatedwithgroundhogsfeedingisobvious,burrowsduginapasturealsoposeathreattolivestockthatmaystepinanentrancehole. Allowingahuntertoshootgroundhogsonyourpropertyistheeasiestandmostcost-effectivemethodofreducingthenumberoftheserodents.Groundhogspresentexcellenttargetsforsportsmen with a small-bore rifle, shotgun, or bow andarrow.Further,groundhogsprovideexcellenttablefare,muchthesameasrabbitsanddeer.Huntingwillnot,however,eliminategroundhogsfromafarm.Recruitment,throughincreasedbirthsandemigrationfrom

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surroundingareas,isaconstantbattleforthelandownertryingtocontrolgroundhogs. Groundhogscanbetrappedwithseveraldifferenttrapdesigns.No.2steellegholdtrapsplacednearburrowentrancesandrunwayscanbe effective. Live trapping can be more difficult, especiallyiffoodresourcesareabundant.BaitsthatmayattractgroundhogsarelistedinAppendixA;however,aswithanyanimal,keepinmindwhatthegroundhogisfeedingonnaturally–itmaybethebestbaittouseatthattime.Conibear®traps(body-grippingtraps)alsoaresuccessfulwhensetproperly.PlaceaConibear®110or220(dependingonthesizeofthegroundhog)neartheburrowentranceandguidetheanimalwithalog,rocksorboards–directingthegroundhogintothetrapwhileblockingothertravelways.Conibear®trapsmaybeplaced12inchesintotheentranceoftheholeasaset.Thiswilleffectivelykillanoutgoinggroundhog.However,becausemanyotherspeciesmaytrytousethishole,itisbesttostakechickenwireoverthehole.Thiswillexcludenon-targetspecies. Fencingmayreducegroundhogactivityingardens,untilthegroundhoglearnstoclimboverordigunder.Fencingmadeofchickenwireorhardwareclothshouldbeburied10to12inches.Electricfenceswithstrandsat5-inchintervalsalsocanbeeffectiveforexcludinggroundhogsaswellasrabbitsandothermid-sizedmammals.Therearenoregisteredtoxicantsorrepellentsforgroundhogsandthoserepellentsdesignedfordeerandrabbitshavenotbeenfoundeffectiveinrepellinggroundhogs.

Moles Molesaresmallmammalsthatspendmostoftheirlivesinundergroundburrows,seldomseenbyhumans.Theyhavetinyeyesandnoexternalears.Moleshavestronglegswithenlargedfrontfeetthatareusedtotravelthroughthesoilinaswimming-typemotion.Thehindquartersaresmall,allowingmolestoturnaroundwithintheirtunnels.Molesaverage4to7inchesinlengthandthetailmeasuresabout1¼inchlong.Theyaresomewhatsimilarinappearancetomice,volesandshrews.Moleshaveaseeminglyinsatiable

Threetypesofmoletraps:

A.harpoontrap

B.pinchertrapandNoMole®

C.chokertrap

appetiteandfeedactivelydayandnightatalltimesoftheyear.Molesareinsectivores,eating70to100percentoftheirweightdailyininsects,grubsandearthworms.Thetunnelingactivityofmolesrequiresahigh-energydiet,includingmanyinsectpeststhatcancausedamagetoyouryardor other plantings. Moles do not eat grass, flowers oranyotherplantpart. Molesarecommonaroundhomes,lawnsand flower gardens, as evidenced by their tunnels nearthesurfaceofthesoil.Moleactivitymaybe considered beneficial, as tunneling loosens hard-packed soil, increasing water infiltration and

B.

A.

C.

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airexchangebetweenthesoilandatmosphere.Tunneling,however,leavesraised,linearridgesalongtheground’ssurfacethatmanypeoplefind unattractive. During dry periods, vegetation growingovertunnelsmaydiefromlackofwater,leavingbrownstreaksinlawns.Inadditiontoshallowtunnels,molesdigdeeperones,5to8inchesdeep,toescapeperiodsofextremedrought,heatandcold.Thesedeeptunnelsrepresentrunwaysbetweenquart-sizeddensandnestingcavitiestosystemsofshallowtunnelswherethemoleshuntforfood.Theonlyevidenceofthedeepertunnelsisamoundofdepositedsoil–amolehill.Trappingisthemosteffectivemethodofcontrollingmoles,withbestresultsduringspringandfallwhilethesoilismoistandtemperaturesmostfavorable.Therearethreetypesofmoletraps:choker,pincherandharpoon.Allaresetinasimilarmanner.ButaNoMole®

pincher-styletrapisthemosteffectivewithalmostnochanceofinjurytotheuser.Becausemolescancomefromeitherdirectioninthetunnel,2NoMole®trapsmustbeplacedfacingbothdirections.

Todeterminewheretosettraps,walkdownsmallsections(thewidthofyourshoe)ofseveraltunnelsduringtheafternoonorearlyevening,thencheckthenextmorningtoseewhichtunnelsareraised – this is where traps should be set. Dig out aportionofthetunnelslightlylargerthanthetrap,placethetrapsothemolewilltravelthroughit,then replace the soil in the hole, packing it firmly where the trigger pan will rest. Do not, however, tearuplargeornumeroussectionsofthetunnel,andbecarefulnottoincludeforeignmaterial(e.g., leaves, twigs or rocks) in the fill material. Molesareverysuspicious.Ifamoledetectsanythingunusualinitstunnel,itwillimmediatelybackupandburrowaroundorunderthesettrap.Fortunately,molesarenotsuspiciousofsoilblockingtherunwayandusuallywillpushtheirwayintoasoilblockadetoreopenthetunneland

continueontheirway.Trapsaretriggeredwhenamolereopensthetunnel.Ifthemoleisnotcaughtintwodays,identifyotheractiverunwaysandmoveyourtraps.Similarmethodologycanbeusedtotrapmolesindeeptunnels.Probeareasaroundmolehills.Whentunnelsarelocated,digdownandsetthetrapasdescribedabove. Norepellentsareregisteredformolesandtheuseoftoxicantshasnotbeenreliable.Successwithfumigants(e.g.,aluminumphosphideandgascartridges)hasbeenlimited,thoughbestresultshavebeenachievedwhenplacedintodeeptunnels.Exclusionhasbeenaneffectivemethodofavoidingmoledamagefrom small areas by burying 24-inch flashing or hardwarecloth12inchesdeeparoundtheareaconcerned. Areascanbemadelessattractivetomolesbykillingtheirprimaryprey.Insecticides(e.g.,imidacloprid)canbeusedtocontrolgrubpopulationsifappliedpriortoegghatchfollowedbyirrigationoraraineventwithin24hours.Reducedfoodavailabilitymaycausemolestomovetoanotherarea. Althoughmolepopulationsrarelyexceed3-5peracre,trappingorkillingamoleotherwiseleavesaready-builthomeforothermolestomoveinto.Acontinuingtrappingeffortmaybenecessarytokeepanareamolefree.

Rabbits Rabbitsarefamiliarinhabitantsofbrushyfence rows and gullies, old fields, brushpiles and otherareaswherehabitatsconvergeand“edge”isabundant.Rabbitsalsofrequentbackyardsandgardenswithadjacentwoodlotsandbrushyhabitats,providingfoodandcoverresourcesincloseproximity.Mostpeopleconsiderviewing

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Manyproblemscausedbyraccoonscanbecuredwithcommonsense.Raccoonscanbekeptfromgettingintocrawlspacesunderhouses,attics,outbuildingsandgaragesbyexcludingtheunwantedguestswithboardsorhardwarecloth.Petfoodshouldbebroughtinsideatnightorpetsmaybefedinthemorningsothatnofoodisleftoutsideovernight.Raccoonsarelessattractedtogarbageiftablescrapsarenotincluded. Electricfencingisthemosteffectivemethodinkeepingraccoonsoutofpatchesofsweetcorn.Smallgardensdonotrequirealotoffencingmaterial, making this method quite efficient, especiallysincethematerialscanbeusedyearafteryear.Two-strandelectricfences,withonestrand5inchesabovegroundandtheother10inchesabovegroundarerecommended. Raccoonscanbetrappedusingcage-typelivetrapsbaitedwithsweetcorn,sardinesor canned, fish-flavored cat food. As with other animals,placeasmallamountofthebaitoutsideofthetrapandjustinsidethetrap.Therestofthebaitshouldbeplacedinthebackofthetrapbehindthetreadle.Tyingthetrapdooropenandallowingthecoonstoenterandfeedforacoupleofnightswillreducewarinessoftrap-shycoons.LandownersalsocantrapraccoonscausingdamageusingaNo.1orNo.1½legholdtrap,

Conibear®trapsetinsideafivegallonbucketplacedonitssidewithbaitinside

rabbitspleasurable;however,thatcutebunnyquicklybecomesa@#&%rabbitwhenthevegetable garden or flower garden begins to suffer!Rabbitscancauseaconsiderableamountof damage to ornamental flowers and tree seedlingsaswell. Themosteffectivemethodforcontrollingrabbitdamagetogardensandotherplantingsisfencing.Rabbitscanbeexcludedeasilywithafenceof2-foot-tallchickenwiretighttothegroundorburiedafewinches.Anelectricfencewithtwoorthreestrandsapproximately4or5inchesapartwiththebottomstrandabout3inchesabovegroundalsoisanexcellentbarrierforrabbits.Althoughfencingcanberelativelyexpensive,itcanlastforseveralyearsifproperlytakencareof.Rabbitsoccasionallydamagewoodyplantsbyclippingorgnawingthebarkoffstems,branchesandbuds.Seedlingscanbeprotectedbywrappinghardwareclotharoundthestemorbyusing“treeshelters”availableatlawnandgarden,nurseryandfarmsupplystores.Severaltasterepellentsthataresprayeddirectlyonthevegetationareavailableandhavebeenusedwithvaryingsuccess. Therabbitpopulationcanbereducedthroughhuntingandtrapping;however,continuedremovalmaybenecessarybecauseoftherabbits’reproductiverate.Althoughfewrabbitslivelongerthanoneyear,apairofrabbitscanproduceuptosixlittersperyearwithtwotothreeyoungperlitter.Inmanyruralareas,sportsmenarealwayslookingfornewareastohunt.Whentrappingrabbits,livetrapsaregenerallymosteffectivewithseveralbaitspossible(seeAppendixA).

Raccoons“Coons”areomnivorousmammals,eatingbothplantandanimalfoods,includingfruits,berries,nuts, corn, crawdads, fish, clams, frogs, snails, insects,turtles,eggs,smallrodentsandbirds(includingmanygamebirdpoults).Raccoonsareactiveatnightandfrequentbackporchesandgarageswheretrashcansanddogorcatfoodiskeptoutside.Raccoonsalsobecomeproblematicinthegardenaboutthetimesweetcornreachesthemilkstagewhileripening.

NOTE: To be legal, these trap sets must be placed at least 12 inches inside a hole.

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Expandedtrigger

Thedoublesetincreasesyoursuccess

WrongParallelsetwithtriggers

ontheinside

WrongTrapistoo farfromwall

Doublesetplacedparalleltothewallwithtriggerstotheoutside

oraConibear®160(6”x6”body-gripping)trap.Conibear®trapscanbesetinsidea5-gallonbucketplacedonitssidewithbaitinside.Beawarethatwhenusingthistypeoftrapnon-targetanimals(e.g.,dogsandcats)maybesusceptible.Conibear®trapsalsocanbeusedinaleaning-poleset.Whenusingthisset-up,placethetriggerofthetrapontopsosquirrelscannottripthetrap.A few drops of fish oil will entice the coon up the logorpole.Baitshouldbeplacedabovethetrapandoutofsightofbirds. Whereraccoonsareaproblem,huntingshouldbeencouragedwhenpossible.Therearenorepellents,toxicantsorfumigantsregisteredforraccoons.Allcoonsshouldbehandledwithcaution–especiallythosethatappearlethargicorunusuallyaggressive,asraccoonshavebeenidentified as the major host of rabies in the United States.

Rats and Mice Successfulratandmousecontrolinvolvestwosteps:1)killingratsandmicealreadypresentand2)removingconditionsthatattractedthepests.Themostimportantstepistodestroytheirhidingplacesandeliminatetheirfoodandwatersupply. Rats like to find shelter in refuse and lumber piles, burrow under floors and nest inside doublewallsandattics.Ratsgettheirfoodfromgarbagecans,feedbins,granaries,corncribsandotherfood-storagefacilitiesthatarenotrodent-

proof.Theserodentsalsofeedondogandcatfood remaining after your pet has finished eating. Ratsgetwaterfrompuddlesofsurfacewateraroundhomesandfarms,streams,ponds,stock-wateringtanksandditches. Anythingyoucandotocreatealessfavorableenvironmentforratsandmicewillaidintheircontrol.Forexample,siteswithfood,coverandwateravailableincloseproximityaremoreattractivethansiteswheretheseresourcesareseparatedby100yardsormore.Heavy-duty¼-inchmeshhardwareclothorsheetmetaliseffectiveinexcludingratsandmicefromcracksandholesleadingtoareaswheretheyarenotwanted.Storedogandcatfoodinrodent-proofcontainers,suchasthosemadeofmetal.Iffeasible,removeanyavailablewatersource. Ratsandmicecanbekilledwithtrapsandtoxicbaits.Theseareeasytoobtainandcanbeusedsafelyandeffectivelyifdirectionsarefollowed.Therearetwobasictypesoftoxicantsforratsandmice.Onekillstheanimalafter

Singletrapsetwithtriggernexttowall

WrongTriggernotnexttowall

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onedoseandisreferredtoasasingle-dosepoison(e.g.,zincphosphide).Thesecondtype,anticoagulants,isamultiple-doserodenticideandmustbeeatenseveraltimestobeeffectiveinkillingratsandmice.Anticoagulantssometimeshaveanadvantageoversingle-dosepoisonsbecauseratsandmiceareabletodetectsomesingle-dosepoisonsbeforeconsumingalethaldose;thus,therodentscanbecomebait-shy.Becauseanticoagulantsareslow-acting,thepestsdonotassociatebecomingsickwiththepoisonedfood.Anticoagulantsshouldbeprovidedinplentifulsupplyforatleasttwoweekstobeeffective.Severalanticoagulantbaitsareavailableatlawnandgardenandfarmsupplystores. Trappingisanothermethodofratandmousecontrolandmanytraptypesareavailable.Snaptrapsaresimple,inexpensiveandcanbeveryeffective.Someofthenewersnaptrapshavebeenimprovedbyincreasingthesizeofthetriggermechanism.Thetriggerofothersnaptrapscanbeexpandedwithscreenwire,cardboardormetaltoincreasetheireffectiveness.Trapplacementisveryimportantforsuccess.Trapsshouldbeplacedalongwallsintheareaofmouseactivity.Theymaybeplacedperpendiculartothewallwiththetriggerendnexttothewallorinpairsparalleltothewallwiththetriggersfacingoutward.Cheese,oatmeal,nutmeat,driedfruit,candy,peanutbutter,baconandahostofotherfoodscanbeusedasbait.Baitisnotessentialonsnaptrapswithexpandedtriggers. Varioustypesofmultiple-captureandboxtrapsareavailableandmostcanbeeffective.Thesetrapsshouldbekeptcleanandfreeofhumanandmouseodors.Thesetrapsalsoshouldbeplacedparalleltowallswheretherodentstravel.Glueboardsarealternativestosnaptraps.Ratsandmicearecaughtandheldastheytrytocrossthestickycardboardsurface.Aswithtraps,glueboardsalsoshouldbeplacedalongwallsorindoorwayswheretherodentstravel.Creating“funnels”withboardsorothermaterialcanhelpsteertherodenttotravelacrossorintothetrap.Glueboardsareavailableatmostlawnandgardenandfarmsupplystores.

Devices that emit ultrasonic sound are sold claimingtocontrolrodents.Thereislittleevidencethatthesedevicesareeffective.

Skunks TwospeciesofskunksarefoundinTennessee,thestripedskunkandthespottedskunk.Stripedskunksaretypically,butnotalways,blackwithtwowhitestripesextendingfromtheheaddowntheback.Spottedskunksareblackwithrandomwhitespotsandshort,brokenwhitestripesalloverthebody.Stripedskunksareaboutthesizeofahousecat(~8pounds)whilespottedskunksaremuchsmaller(~2pounds).Skunks are chiefly nocturnal omnivores, feeding on just about anything they can find, including mice,eggs,insects,carrion,berries,tablescrapsanddogandcatfood.SkunksmateinFebruary-MarchandtheyoungareborninMay-June.Skunksdonothibernate;however,theymaydenforanextendedperiodduringespeciallycoldperiods. Skunksfrequentlydiganddenunderhousesandotherbuildings.Toremedythissituation,sealorcoverallfoundationopeningswithhardwarecloth,sheetmetalorconcrete.Buryinghardwareclothvertically1½to2feetdeeparoundfoundationswillhelppreventdigging

front

hind

stripedskunk

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Withoutquestion,shootingisthemosteffectivemethodofeliminatingtroublesomesquirrelswhenlocalregulationsorgamelawspermit.Naphthalenecanbeusedtodiscouragesquirrelsfromusingatticstemporarily,butthebestwaytokeepsquirrelsoutofabuildingoratticistoexcludethembyclosingoffallavailableopenings.Tolocateentrances,keepaneyeonthetravelroutesofsquirrels.Besuretolookforeaveopenings,unscreenedatticvents,knotholes,loose flashing around chimneys and vent pipes, andopeningsaroundcables.Coveropeningswith¼-inchmeshhardwareclothor26-gaugemetal.When squirrels (like other rodents) find entrance holes,theyusuallywillgoinandinvestigate.Iftheholesarenotbigenough,theywillgnawattheholesuntiltheyarelargeenough.Beawarethatsquirrelsnotforcedtovacateatticsorkilledpriortoexclusionmaydamagetheoldentrancesitewhileattemptingtore-enterbygnawing. Trappingsquirrelswithlivecagetrapsbaitedwithpeanutbutter,walnuts,pecansorshelledcornisapossibility.Leg-holdtrapsorsmallConibear®trapsalsomaybeusedinsomecasesforsquirrelcontrol;however,youneedtogetpermission from the county wildlife officer before settingtraps.Squirreltrapscanbepurchasedatyourlocallawnandgardenandfarmsupplystores. Squirrelscanberepelledfromwooddecksandotherstructuresbysmearingpolybutenes(e.g.,4theSquirrelsRepellent®)onthesurfacewheresquirrelsareclimbingontothestructure.Polybutenesarestickysubstancesthatstickto

activity.Thefollowingstepsaresuggestedforremovingskunksunderbuildings.

(1)Sealallpossibleentrances,exceptone–themainone.

(2) Sprinkle a layer of flour 2 feet wide on the groundinfrontoftheopening.

(3)Placealightunderthebuilding(skunksdon’tlikebrightlight).

(4)Afterdark,checkfortracks.(5)Whentracksindicatetheskunkhasleft,close

thelastentrance.

Skunksmaybetrappedinliveboxtrapsbybaitingwithsardinesorcatfood.Ifthetrapiscoveredwithburlapbeforebeingset,capturedskunkscannotseethehandlerandshouldnotspray.Theburlapalsoprovidesprotectionfromtheheat.Theythencanbecarriedcarefullytoanotherlocationwheretheymaybereleasedorkilled(whichmaybepreferablebecauseoftheriskofspreadingrabiesfromonelocationtoanother). Iftheskunksprays,itmaybepossibletoremovetheodorwithvarioussolutions.Ecosorb®andneutroleumalphaaresolutionscommonlyusedtomaskskunkodor.Neutroleumalphasometimesisavailablefromcommercialcleaningsuppliers;however,bothcanbeobtainedbycontacting USDA Wildlife Services (see Appendix B).Homemadesolutionsincludevinegarandtomatojuiceandamixtureof2quartshydrogenperoxide,1cupofbakingsodaand1tablespoonofdishsoap.Spongethismixtureontheaffectedarea,rinsethoroughlyandallowtoairdry.Thereareseveralcommercialproductsavailableforremovingskunkodors(seeAppendixC).

Tree Squirrels Treesquirrels(e.g.,thecommongraysquirrelfoundthroughoutTennessee)oftenbecomeanuisanceforhomeownersbygainingentranceintoattics,gnawingwiresandwooddecks,anddominatingbirdfeeders.Severalsolutionsarepossiblewhencombatingtheserodents.

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squirrels’feet.Twotypesoftasterepellentsareavailabletodetersquirrelsfromgnawing.Ro-pel®hasabittertasteandcapsaicin(thenaturalingredientthatmakespeppershot)burnsthemouth.Successvarieswithalloftheserepellents. Squirrelscanbekeptoutoftreesbyputtingametalbandaroundthetree,2feetwideand6feetofftheground.Thesebandsshouldbeadjustabletoallowfortreegrowth.Obviously,thistacticwillnotworkifsquirrelscanjumpfromonetreetoanother,orgainaccessfromapowerlineorotherstructure.Tokeepsquirrelsfromjumpingfromonetreetoanother,prunetreessolimbsarenocloserthan8feet.Brancheslessthan6feetoffthegroundalsoshouldberemoved.Inaddition,itisagoodideatoprunetreesthatareclosetothehousetodiscouragesquirrelsfromusingatreetogetintotheattic.

Voles Voles,sometimescalledmeadowmiceor field mice, are small rodents with stocky bodies,shortlegsandshorttails.VolescommontoTennesseeincludethepinevole(Microtuspinetorum),meadowvole(M.pennsylvanicus)andprairievole(M.ochrogaster).Volesareactiveyear-round(theydonothibernate),dayandnight.Activityofmeadowandprairievolesisevidentfromanetworkofground-surfacerunwayswithnumerousburrowopenings.Pinevolestypicallydonotusesurfacerunways,butanextensivesystemofundergroundtunnels.Smallholesleadingtoanetworkofundergroundburrowsareevidenceofpinevoles. Freshshootsofgrassesandforbsgrowinginornearrunwaysystemsandburrowopeningsmakeupmostofthedietduringthegrowingseason. During the dormant season, voles feed moreintensivelyontubers,bulbs,bark,rhizomes

andseed.Thesefeedinghabitscancauseextensive damage to lawns, flower gardens, orchardsandvegetablegardens. Severalstepscanbetakentominimizevoledamage.Themosteffectivemethodofreducingvoledamageistheuseoftoxicants.Zincphosphide,asingle-doserodenticide,isusedcommonlytocontrolvoles.Zincphosphideisarestricted-usepesticideandisavailableasimpregnatedbaitongrainsandnutssuchasoats,corn,wheatandpeanuts.Severalanticoagulantsalsoareapprovedforvolecontrol.Stepsshouldbetakentoreducedangertonon-targetanimalswhenusingeitherzincphosphideoranticoagulants.Usingafunneltoplaceeithertypeofrodenticideintothetunnelsystemthroughtheburrowopeningisonemethod.Anotheristousebaitstationsmadeofwaterproofpapertubes,5incheslongand1½incheswide,withbaitblocksgluedinside. Anothermethodforcontrollingvolesinsmallareasisviasnaptraps.Trapscanbeplacedperpendiculartotherunwayswiththetriggerendintherunway.Themosteffectivewaytosettrapsistohave3or4trapstations.Eachtrapstationconsistsofatriangularshapedboxwithoutabottom,2rebart-handlestakesand6to8snaptraps.Wedgetheboxunderneathashrubberytoconsealitfrompublicview(wherevolerunwaysarelocated).Placethesnaptrapsundertheboxandcheckeachtrapstationinacoupleofweekstodisposetrappedvoles.Peanutbutter,oatmeal(oramixtureofthese)orappleslicesmakegoodbaits.Baitmaynotbeneededfortrapswithexpandedtriggers.

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Tomakeanareaunattractivetovoles,reduceorremoveoverheadcover(e.g.,grass,leavesandmulch)andmowclosetotheground.Overheadcoverallowsforestablishmentofsurfacerunwaysandprovidesvolesprotectionfrompredators(e.g.,foxes,skunks,hawksandowls).Removingmulchfroma3-footradiusaroundvulnerableplantswillmaketheplantslesssusceptibletovoledamage.Individualtreeseedlingscanbeprotectedwithhardwarecloth.Themeshshouldbe¼-inchorsmallerinsizeandburied6inchesdeeptopreventvolesfromcrawlingthroughordiggingunder. Voles are prolific and will readily move intovacantburrowsystems.Therefore,monitoringsitesleftvacantfollowingcontrolmeasuresisessential.

human-alteredhabitats,especiallyaroundfarms.Housesparrowsalsoarefoundingreatnumbersinurbanenvironments,oftentimessurvivingongarbage,crumbsandrefusefromrestaurants.Housesparrowsnestinorunderprotectedareassuchasbuildingledgesandeaves,bridges,open warehouses, sign and light fixtures and birdhouses.HousesparrowstypicallybreedfromMarchthroughAugust,thoughbreedingmayoccurinanymonth.Themalehousesparrowtypicallychoosesthenestsiteandestablisheshisterritorycenteredonit.Thenormalclutchiscomprisedof4-5eggsand2-3broodsmaybeproducedeachyear. Housesparrowsareveryaggressive,territorialandgregarious,oftentimesformingflocks of several hundred. House sparrows do notmigrate.Allofthesefactorshelpthehousesparrowout-competeanddisplacenativebirdspecies,especiallyfrombirdhouses(e.g.,bluebirds,purplemartinsandCarolinawrens)and feeders prepared and erected specifically for nativespecies.Housesparrowsmayberepelledfrom feeders by installing monofilament line verticallyat2-inchintervalsaroundthefeeders.Studies have shown the monofilament line does notaffectmanyotherspeciesofbirds.Wherelegal,housesparrows,theirnestsandyoungshouldbedestroyedbecauseoftheircompetitivenaturewithournativebirds. Housesparrowsoftencauseseveredamagetograincropsandgrainkeptinstorage.Housesparrowsdamagecropsbyperchingandpecking seeds, seedlings, buds, flowers and vegetables.Ingrainstoragefacilities,grainislostbothfromfeedingbyhousesparrowsandthroughcontaminationfromfecalmaterial.Thiscausesunsanitaryconditionsandmayleadtothespreadofseveraldiseases(e.g.,chlamydiosis,salmonellosis,transmissiblegastroenteritis,tuberculosisandencephalitis),internalparasites(e.g.,toxoplasmosisandtrichomoniasis)andhousehold pests (e.g., ticks, mites, fleas and lice). Housesparrowscanbeexcludedfrombuildings,barnsandotherstructuresbyclosingopenings(e.g.,cracks;spacesbetweenboards,

Birds

House Sparrows Thehousesparrow(orEnglishsparrow)isanexoticpestthatwasintroducedintoBrooklyn,NewYorkfromEnglandin1850andhasspreadacrosstheUnitedStates,CanadaandMexico.Becausethehousesparrowisanexoticpest,itisaffordednolegalprotectionfromthefederalorstategovernment.However,legalprotectionmaybeprovidedthroughlocalordinances(i.e.,citybirdsanctuaries).Housesparrowsprefer

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signsandairconditioners;eaves;andwindows)withhardwarecloth,screeningorsomeothermaterial.Opendoorways,suchasthosefoundinwarehousesandotherstoragefacilities,shouldbe“blocked”byhangingstripsof4-to6-inchplasticstripsinfrontoftheopenings.Housesparrowscanbeexcludedfromvegetationaroundthehouse(e.g.,shrubberyandivy-coveredwalls)andsmallcropareasofhighvalue(e.g.,grapes,berriesandexperimentalsmallgrains)byusingplasticbirdnetting. Frighteningagents(especiallyalarmanddistresscalls)havebeenusedtorepelhousesparrowswithlittlesuccess.Visualfrighteningagentshavebeensuccessfulforshortperiodsuntilthebirdsbecomeaccustomedtothem.Avitrol®isarestricted-usechemicalfrighteningagent(4-aminopyridine)thathasbeeneffectiveinrepellinghousesparrowsbecausetheaffectedbirdsreactsoviolentlytheotherbirdsarefrightenedaway.Althoughregisteredasafrighteningagent,Avitrol®causesmortalityinbirdsthatingestthetreatedbait.WhenusingAvitrol®,itiscommonformanybirdstodiebeforetheothersarefrightenedorrepelled.Itisimportanttopickupand/orburyalldeadbirdsfoundbecausethesebirdsposeapotentialhazardtonon-targetspecies,suchashawksandowls.Thedilutionrateandmortalitymayvaryfordifferentspeciesandindifferentsituations.Alwaysrefertotheproductlabelfortreatmentofeachbirdspecies.Higherbaitconcentrationsandincreasedmortalityareusuallyrequiredtorepelhousesparrows.Also,becauseoftheirterritorialnature,numerousbaitsitesmaybeneededforeffectivecontrolofhousesparrows.ForbestresultswithAvitrol®,prebaitwithnon-poisonousbaitthatresemblesthetoxicbaituntilthebirdsreadilyfeedontheprebait.Thisaccustomsthebirdstofeedinginaparticulararea(s)andrendersthemmoresusceptibletothetoxic bait. USDA Wildlife Services supervision isnotrequiredforAvitrol®use;however,theapplicator must have a Tennessee Department of Agriculture state pesticide certification in Category 7:Industrial,Institutional,StructuralandHealth-RelatedPestControl(Category8:PublicHealthis

alsoacceptableforgovernmentemployees). Polybutenesandsharpmetalprojections(e.g.,Nixalite®andCatClaw®)areusefulinpreventinghousesparrowsandotherbirdsfromperchingorroostingonstructures.Therearenotoxicantsorfumigantsregisteredforuseagainsthousesparrows. Trappingisanothercommonlyusedtechniqueincontrollinghousesparrows.Severaldifferenttypesoftrapsareused.Funneltrapsandmistnetsmaybethemosteffective.Federalpermitsmayberequiredwhenusingmistnets.Shootinghousesparrowsmaymakethelandownerfeelgood;however,shootingsparrowsis not particularly efficient, as sparrows quickly becomewaryofhumansafterbeingshotat.

European Starlings Starlingsarenon-nativepeststhatwereintroducedintoNewYorkCityfromEuropein1890and1891byanindividualwhowantedtointroduceallofthebirdslistedinShakespeare’swritingsintotheUnitedStates.Today,thesepestsarefoundinallstatesinthelower48andnumberinthehundredsofmillions.Becausestarlingsareexoticpests,theyareaffordednolegalprotectionfromthefederalorstategovernment.However,legalprotectionmaybeprovidedthroughlocalordinances(i.e.,citybirdsanctuaries).Starlingscauseproblemsaroundhomes,farmsandurbanizedareas.Manypeopleconfusestarlings

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withblackbirds.Starlingsarerobin-sizedbirds,dark-coloredwithlightspecklesontheirfeathers.Starlings are chunky in appearance and their flight isdirectandswift,notrisingandfallinglikemanyblackbirds(e.g.,commongrackle).Starlingsnestintreecavities,birdhousesandholesinbuildings,oftentimesreplacingnativenesters,suchasthebluebirdandvariouswoodpeckers.Starlingslay4-7eggsinaclutchandmayproducetwobroodsperyear. Starlingsusuallyfeedonthegroundandmaytravelupto70milesperdayfromroostsitestofeedingsites.Starlingscauseconsiderabledamageatlivestockfacilitieswheretheyareattractedbythefoodandwateravailable.Thiscanbeadangeroussituation,becausestarlingshavethepotentialoftransferringdiseasesfromonelivestockfacilitytoanother.Starlingsalsomaydamagecultivatedfruitsandothercropssuchascornandwinterwheat.Largewinter flocks can pose a serious threat when found near airports. Droppings from these winter flocks often accumulate at roost sites and harbor Histoplasmacapsulatum,thefungusthatcauseshistoplasmosis.Asyoumightimagine,roostsitesareoftenproblemareasbecauseofthehealthconcerns, filth, odor and noise. Avitrol®hasbeenusedsuccessfullyasafrighteningagenttocontrolstarlingproblems(pleaserefertosectiononhousesparrowsforadditionalinformationconcerningtheuseofAvitrol®).Starlicide®hasbeenusedinthepastbylandownersconfrontedwithlarge-scaleproblemsassociatedwithindustrialstructuralroostsandatlivestockfeedlots.Althoughthisproductisnolongeravailable,landownerssufferinglarge-scaleproblemsareencouragedtocontactUSDA Wildlife Services, who can supervise andimplementatoxic-baitingprogramusingDRC-1339, the active ingredient in Starlicide®that is now restricted to USDA Wildlife Services personnelorpeopleundertheirsupervision.NeitherAvitrol® or DRC-1339 baiting is an effectiveorrealisticsolutionforurbanstarlingroostproblems,butbestusedtocombatlarge-scaleproblemssuchasthosementionedabove.

Starlingscanbeanuisancearoundthehousebycongregatinginlargenumbersandroostingintrees.Starlingsnormallyperchontelephonewires,buildings,bridgesortreesbefore flying around the roost site several times andeventuallysettlingdown.Itisatthistimethatfrighteningisthemosteffectivemethodindispersing these birds. Pyrotechnics (fireworks), firearms, gas-operated exploders, alarms and bangingonpotsandpanshavebeenusedindispersingtheseroosts.Tobesuccessful,scaretacticsshouldbeginwhenthebirdsshowupintheeveningandacombinationoftechniquesshould be used for five or six consecutive days, oruntilthebirdsnolongerreturn–persistencepays!Scaringoperationsshouldconcludeatdark.Thisentireproblemcanbecircumventedbynottoppingthetreesinyouryard,especiallymapletrees.Starlingsandblackbirdsareattractedtotheincreaseddensityoflimbsthatispromotedbytopping.Ifyourtreeshavebeentoppedalready,thinningthelimbswillmakethetreeslessattractivetotheroostingbirds. Thebestpreventivestrategytokeepstarlingsfromnestingistocloseallopeningsthatprovideanestcavity,mostnotablyaroundbarnsandotherbuildings.Starlingscanbekeptfromroostinginbarnsbystaplingnylonorplasticnettingacrosstheundersideofraftersandroofbeams.Plasticornylonnettingalsoisusefulincoveringfruittreesandgrapevinestokeepstarlingsandotherbirdsfromripeningfruit.Starlingscanbediscouragedfromwateringatlivestocktroughsbykeepingthewaterlevellowenoughsothatthebirdscannotreachthewaterwhenperchedontheedgeofthetrough.Atthesametime,thewaterlevelshouldnotbesoshallowthatthebirdscanstandinthetrough. During spring, starlings compete with nativecavity-nestingbirds,suchasbluebirds,woodpeckersandpurplemartins,foravailablenestingcavities(includingnestboxes).Tohelpkeepstarlingsoutofbluebirdboxes,theentranceholeshouldbe1½inchesindiameter.Allstarlingsseencompetingwithnestingnativebirdsshouldbekilledifpossible.Starlingsfoundnestingcan

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bediscouragedbyremovinganddestroyingnestsandyoung.Itmaybenecessarytorepeatthisprocessthroughoutthebreedingseason(i.e.,springandsummer).

Blackbirds(including Grackles and Cowbirds) “Blackbirds”referstocommongrackles,red-wingedblackbirdsandbrown-headedcowbirds.Theseareyear-roundresidentsinTennesseeandcommonlyencountered.TheBrewer’sblackbirdandrustyblackbirdalsomayoccurinTennesseeduringwinter.Allhavecommontraits.Maleblackbirdsarepredominantlyblackoriridescent,andallblackbirdshaveanomnivorousdiet,consistingofgrains,weedseeds,fruitsandinsects.Afterthenestingseason, blackbirds form large flocks, sometimes numbering in the millions. Winter flocks and roosts maybecomprisedofonespeciesofblackbirds,severalblackbirdspeciesorblackbirdswithnon-blackbirdspecies,suchasstarlingsandAmericanrobins. Red-wingedblackbirdsgenerallynestin hayfields and marshes, while common grackles might nest in fields, marshes, towns andbarnyards.Brown-headedcowbirdsdonotnestorincubate.Thefemalecowbirdlaysoneortwoeggsinthenestofasongbirdafterremovinganeggfromthesongbird’sclutch.Onefemalecowbirdmayparasitizeupto20songbirdnestspernestingseason.Thecowbirdnestlinggenerallyhatchesonedaybeforethesongbird

eggs.Byhatchingearlierandbeinglargerinsize,thecowbirdnestlinggetsadisproportionatelylargeramountoffoodandcarethantheothernestlings. Althoughredwingsprimarilyeatinsectsduringthenestingseason,thedietshiftstograinandweedseedsinfallandwinter.Redwingscancauseseveredamagetoripeningcorn,sunflowers, sorghum and oats. Grackles are more predatory and may eat small fish, field mice, songbirdnestlingsandeggs.Gracklesalsofeedon sprouting corn and mature field corn. Cowbirds may damage ripening sorghum, sunflower and millet;however,cowbirdsoftenfeedonwastegrainandseedinmanure.Overallcropdamagefromcowbirdsusuallyisminorwhencomparedtootherblackbirds. Itisveryimportanttobeabletodiscernblackbirddamagefromthatofotherspecies,suchasraccoons.Normally,thepresenceofblackbirds is obvious, with their large flocks and loudnoise.However,starlingsmaybeconfusedas blackbirds while feeding on insects in a field ofcornorsorghum.Red-wingedblackbirdsseen in a cornfield might actually be feeding onconcentrationsofbeetlesinsteadofcorn.Redwingsgenerallydonotbothercornuntilitisinthemilkstage. Becauseblackbirdsarenative,migratorybirds,theyareprotectedundertheFederalMigratoryBirdTreatyAct;however,theymaybeharassedorkilledwhen“committingorabouttocommitdepredationsuponornamentalorshadetrees,agriculturalcrops,livestockorwildlife,orwhenconcentratedinsuchnumbersandmannerastoconstituteahealthhazardorothernuisance,”asstatedinfederallawsregardingmigratorybirds. Blackbirdscanbeexcludedfromgardensandfruittreesandshrubsinasmallareabyusingplasticbirdnetting.Individualearsofsweetcornmaybeprotectedbyplacingnet“socks”overtheearsandattachingthesockstothecornstalk. Cropdamageismostseverewhenplantedwithin five miles of roosts. If fields are located within five miles of a large roost site, alternative

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plantingslesssusceptibletodepredation(e.g.,soybeans,wheat,potatoesorhay)maybemoresuccessful.Frighteningagents,suchaspropaneexploders,12-gaugeshotgunshellscontainingfire-cracker projectiles, electronic noise systems, helium-filled balloons, distress calls and strips of Mylar® reflective tape, can be quite effective in protectingcropsfromblackbirds.Thesuccessofthesetechniques,however,ishighlyvariableanddependsuponthepersistenceanddeterminationofthelandowner.Usingavarietyoffrighteningagentsandmovingthemaroundtodifferentlocations in a field every few days will make the effortmoresuccessful. Avitrol®alsohasbeenusedtofrightenblackbirdsfromcrops(refertosectiononhousesparrowsforadditionalinformationconcerningtheuseofAvitrol®).Aswithotherbirdspecies,aprebaitingprogramhasproventobeinstrumentalwhenusingAvitrol®inblackbirdcontrol.Starlicide®hasbeenusedinthepasttocontrolblackbirds;however,thisproductisnolongeravailable.TheactiveingredientinStarlicide®,DRC-1339, is still used by USDA Wildlife Services. Pleaserefertothesectiononstarlingsforfurtherinformation concerning DRC-1339. Blackbirdscanbetrappedindecoytraps;however,apermitforuseisnecessary.Trappingblackbirds is not efficient for large problems, but canhelpinreducingblackbirdpopulationsinsmall,localizedareas.Shooting,byitself,isnotcost-effectiveinfrighteningoreliminatinglargenumbersofblackbirds.

Crows TheAmericancrow(hereaftercrow)isfoundthroughoutTennesseeandisfamiliartovirtuallyeveryoneinthestate.Crowsarefoundinawidevarietyofhabitats,bothruralandurban.Crowseatjustabouteverythingandobtaintheirfoodbyhunting,piratingandscavenging.Approximatelyone-thirdofthecrow’sdietisanimalmatterandtherestvegetableorplantmaterial.Crowstypicallynestintreesandbeginnestinginearlyspring.Crowsmayproduceoneortwobroodsperyear,andamatingpairgenerallyremains

togetherthroughouttheyear.Afterthenestingseason,familyunitsjoinlargergroupsandtheselargergroupssometimesjoinothergroups,forming huge flocks. These large flocks roost togetherbutdisperseduringthedaytofeed,oftentraveling12milesormore. Historically,themostcommondamagecomplaintwithcrowsisassociatedwiththebirdspullingupseedlingcornplantsandeatingthekernels.Crowsalsohavebeenreportedtodamage ripening grain sorghum, sunflowers, variousfruitsandwatermelons.Recently,themajorityofcrowcomplaintshavebeenproblemsassociatedwithlargecrowroostsinurbanareas.Most folks find the odor and noises associated withtheselargeroostsunacceptableandareconcernedaboutpossiblehealthproblems.Notunlikeroostsofotherspecies(e.g.,pigeons,blackbirdsandstarlings),crowrooststhathavebeeninplaceforseveralyearsmayharborHistoplasmacapsulatum,thefungusthatcauseshistoplasmosis.Whenthesoilandaccumulateddroppingsataroostsitearedisturbed,sporesofthefungusmaybereleased.Peoplemaycontractthediseasebybreathinginthespores. Yearsago,abountywasplacedoncrowsinmanyareasandtotaleradicationwasthegoal.Thecrowsurvived.Mostoftheseeffortsinvolvedtheuseofpesticidesthatarenolongeravailable.Crowsareverywary,intelligentbirds.StudiesinvolvingAmericancrowshavedemonstratedtheirabilitytocount,solvepuzzles,associatenoisesandsymbolswithfood,mimicsoundsandretainknowledgethroughmemory.Given

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this information, it is obvious why it is difficult to controlcrowproblems–theyaresmart! Themostcommonmethodtoreducecrowproblemsassociatedwithagricultureisfrighteningagents. “Lining” a field with cord, fine wire, cloth stripsoraluminumpiepansinagridpatternhasbeensuccessfulinsomeareas.Wiresorcord,inparticular,mayrepresentanobstacleforthecrowswhenrapidescapeisnecessary.Wherecrowsarepullingupcornseedlings,somehavehadsuccessbyscatteringwhole-kernelcornthathasbeensoftenedwithwateracrossthefield for the crows to feed on until the seedlings havegrowntothepointthatthecrowswillnotbotherthem.Recordeddistressoralarmcalls,gas-operatedexploders,battery-operatedalarms,pyrotechnicsandvariousothernoisemakershavebeenusedtokeepcrowsoutofcrops.Thekeytosuccesswiththesetechniquesismovingthemaroundfromtimetotimeandvaryingtheintensityandtypeofscaredevice. Shootingandhuntingisquiteeffectiveinsupplementingandreinforcingthesefrighteningagentsasadispersaltechnique;however,shootingand/orhuntingalonegenerallyisnoteffectiveinreducingthecrowpopulation.AlthoughAvitrol®isarestricted-usechemicalfrighteningagent(4-aminopyridine),itisunlikelytobeeffectiveforcrowcontrolbecauseofthecrows’behaviorandbecauseofthetypeofdamageproblemsassociatedwithcrows.Therearenorepellentsortoxicantsregisteredforcrowcontrol.AlthoughcrowsarenativemigratorybirdsprotectedundertheFederalMigratoryBirdTreatyAct,theymaybeharassedorkilledwhen“committingorabouttocommitdepredationsuponornamentalorshadetrees,agriculturalcrops,livestockorwildlife,orwhenconcentratedinsuchnumbersandmannerastoconstituteahealthhazardorothernuisance,”asstatedinfederallawsregardingmigratorybirds. Communalcrowroostsaretypicallyindensepinestands.Crowscanbedispersedfromroostsitesbythinningapproximatelyone-thirdofthetreesfromthesite.Thinningthesestandsnotonlydispersesthecrowroost,butusuallyhelps

improvehabitatformanyspeciesofsongbirds,gamebirdsandmammals.

PigeonsPigeonsarenon-nativebirdscommoninurbanareasandarerenownedpestspecies.Theyareaffordednolegalprotectionfromthefederalorstategovernment;however,localbirdsanctuaryordinancesmayprovideprotection.Pigeonsaresuccessfulatsurvivingandincreasingtheirpopulationsbecausetheyhaveadaptedtourbanconditionsovertheyears.Pigeonsnestunderbridges,onbuildingledgesandraftersinbarns,warehousesandotheropenbuildings,wheretheyareprotectedfrompredatorsandnestdisturbance.Generally,1-2eggscomprisetheclutchandpigeonsmayproduce2-5broodsperyear.Mostpigeonsarenon-migratory,givingthemanadvantageovermigratoryspecieswhencompetingfornestsites.Also,foodisavailableincitiesyear-round. Pigeonscauseproblemsaroundindustrialandcitybuildings,farmsandhomesbyroostingand nesting on ledges and in barns. Droppings aremessyandquiteacidic,causingdamagetoequipment,anddefacingbuildingsurfacesandotherstructures.Inaddition,pigeonmanuremayharboravarietyofdisease-causingbacteriaandfungi,posingaseriousdiseaseproblemwhencomingincontactwithunprocessedgrain. Measurestoeliminateroostingandnestingsitesappearcostly,butpermanentmethodsofcontrolareworthwhileinthelongrun.Openingsinattics,loftsandundereavescanbescreenedwithrustproofwireof¾-inchmesh.Thisalsowillkeepsparrowsandstarlingsout.Preventroostingonledgesbycoveringthemwithwirenettingor

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11/4”5” 2 1/2”

5/8” 17/8”

Methodsofplacingspikestripstoledges.

installingwoodormetalsheathingatasharpangle.Somecompaniesmakemetalwireorspikestrips(e.g.,Nixalite®andCatClaw®)thatcanbegluedorattachedotherwiseonledges.Othercompaniesmakestickyrepellents(polybutenes)andirritantsthatdiscouragebirdsfromperchingonstructures.Polybutenesarespreadonledgesorotherstructureswithacaulkinggunandmaylastfromthreetosixmonths.Wiresorspikesaremorepermanent,ofcourse,butcostmore.

Theabilityofpigeonstousebuildingssometimesisaresultofbuildingdesignandpoorconstruction.Somecommercialandresidentialbuildingshaveproventobeexcellentroostingand/ornestingsites.Pigeonslikeledges2to4inchesormorewidetoroostandbuildnests.Unboxedeavesandsmallopeningsbeneaththe

roofprovideattractivenestingsitesforpigeons,aswellasstarlingsandhousesparrows.Thebestpreventionistodesignthebuildingproperly,incorporatingnarrowledges.

Trappingisaneffectivemeansofremovingproblempigeons.Cagetraps,suchasabob-typetrap,workwellandcancatchseveralpigeonsatonetime.Thesetrapsmaybeboughtcommerciallyorbuiltathome.Trappingareasshouldbepre-baitedforaboutaweekbeforetrapsareplaced.Baitsincludewholecorn or a mixture of one part wheat to five parts crackedcorn.Trapsshouldbecheckedeveryday.Trappedpigeonsshouldbekilled,becausereleasedbirdsreturntotheirformerhangoutorbecomeproblemselsewhere. Anothercontrolmethodincludeskillingpigeonsbyshooting.Shootingpigeonsontheroost at night using a flashlight and pellet gun canbeextremelyeffective.Avitrol®hasbeenusedwithsuccessinrepellingpigeons(seesectiononhousesparrowsformoreinformationonAvitrol®anditsuse).Alwaysrefertothelabelforinformationregardingbaitconcentrationsfor particular bird species. DRC-1339 also has beenusedwithsuccessincontrollingpigeons;however, its use is restricted to USDA Wildlife Servicespersonnelorpeopleundertheirsupervisiononly. Arguably,themostimportantelementinatoxicantprogram(includingtheuseofAvitrol®)aimedatpigeonsispre-baiting.Pre-baitingisused to train the target birds to eat a specific food at a specific place. Bait should mimic the toxicantascloselyaspossibleandshouldberemovedbeforethetoxicantisdistributed.Baitandtoxicantshouldbedistributedinthesamemanner.Alwaysobservebaitsitesfornon-targetbirdsandtakestepstoreducedangertothem.

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moveinthewind.StripsofMylar®tapeandcommerciallyavailable“scare-eye”balloonsalsohavebeeneffective.Owls,rubbersnakesandotherobjectsthatdonotmoveseldomwork.Visualrepellentsareavailablethroughyourlocallawnandgardenandfarmsupplystores. Polybutenes(e.g.,Tanglefoot®,4-The-Birds®andRoost-No-More®)canbespreadaroundtheaffectedareatodiscouragewoodpeckers.Birdsarenotcaughtinthesubstances,butareannoyedbythestickyfooting.Thesesubstancesmaydiscolorsomesurfacesorruninwarmweather.Toavoidthisproblem,repellentscanbeappliedtoathinboard,thenfastenedtothedamagedarea.Othermethodsincludedeadeningtheareabehindsidingboardswherethedamageisoccurring.Removing a plank or two and stuffing insulation behindthemdoesthis.Hangingmeshnettinginfrontofthedamagedareaalsomaydiscouragewoodpeckersfromthesite.Anotheralternativeistocovertheareawith¼-inchhardwarecloth.

Woodpeckers SevenspeciesofwoodpeckersarefoundinTennessee,includingonesapsucker(yellow-bellied sapsucker) and one flicker (northern flicker, or “yellow hammer”). All of Tennessee’s woodpeckersarecavitynesters,commonlyusingsnagsandpartiallydeadtreesfornestingsites.Itiscommonforsomewoodpeckerstoproducetwobroodsperyear,withbothparentstendingtotheyounguntiltheyleavethenest. Homeownershaveproblemswithwoodpeckerspeckingholesintheirhomeseachspring.MostofthedamageoccursfromFebruarythroughJune,correspondingwiththebreedingseasonandtheperiodofterritoryestablishment.WoodpeckershammeratTVantennas,gutteringandcolumns,butwoodsidingisthesurfacethatseemstobepreferred.Thereissomedisagreementastowhywoodpeckershammerathouses,butmostbiologistsbelievetheyareseekingfood(insectsinthewood)orestablishingabreedingterritory.Excavatinganestcavityisanotherpotentialmotivationforwoodpeckeractivity.Asthenameimplies,sapsuckersdrillevenlyspacedrowsofholesinhealthytrees,collectingsapandinsectsentrappedbythesap. Controlmeasuresshouldbeinitiatedassoonastheproblembeginsbecausewoodpeckershavetroublebreakingthehabit.Whenwoodisinvolved,alwayscheckforinsects.Ifinsectsarepresent,treatwithanapprovedchemical.Ifinsectsarenotpresent,thereareafewwaystodealwiththewoodpeckers’habit.Therearenoeffectivechemicalsandnoregisteredtoxicantsforuseonwoodpeckers.Visualrepellentshavebeenusedwithsomesuccess,thoughtheyarenotaguaranteedsolution.Onesuchdeviceisasmall,concaveshavingmirrorhunginadamagedarea.Theenlargedimageappearstofrightentheterritorialbirds.Anothereffectivevisualrepellantisamotion-triggeredspiderhungfromthedamagedarea.Thesearecommonlyavailableontheinternetandinstores(especiallyaroundhaloween).Otherdevicesincludemetallicpinwheelsand1-by12-inchstripsofaluminumfoilhungfromstringsothey

Yellow-belliedsapsuckerlookingforsapandinsects.

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Ifnoneoftheserepellingtechniqueswork,thealternativeistokillthebird(usuallyonlyonebirdisinvolved).However,woodpeckersareprotectedbyfederallaw,soobtainingapermitfromtheUSFishandWildlifeServiceisnecessary.YoucanapplyforonefromUSFishandWildlifeService,MigratoryBirdandEaglePermit Office, P. O. Box 49208, Atlanta, GA 30359.Beforeapplying,youwillneedareferralfrom USDA Wildlife Services personnel. Be aware thatthereisanon-refundableapplicationfeeof$25.AccordingtotheTWRA,anuisancewildlifecontroloperatorisabletoharassorshootamigratorybirdwhileworkingunderthepermitobtainedbythelandownerorhomeownerfromtheUSFishandWildlifeService;however,TWRAshould be notified that such action is to be taken priortocontrolefforts.

Canada GeeseThegiantCanadagoose(oneof11subspeciesofCanadageese)wasonceinperilwithdangerouslylownumbers;however,wildlifemanagementhasenabledthebirdtoreboundtorecordnumbers.Overthepastcoupleofdecades,thegiantCanadagoose(hereaftergoose)hasestablishedlocal,non-migratorypopulationsinmanyareasacrossthecountry,nestinginareasthattraditionallywerefrequentedonlyinwinter.Theresult–apopulationexplosion. Overabundant,localizedgoosepopulationscandamageanddestroyagriculturalcropsandposesocialandhealthproblemsinurbanandsuburbanareasbynesting,feedingand

defecatinginresidentialyards,golfcourses,condominiumcomplexesandcityandstateparks.Overabundantgoosepopulationsalsocanbeathreattoaircraftwhenfoundaroundairports.Thedefensivenatureofnestinggeeseposesathreattopeoplepassingby,andthedroppingsleftbehindfeedinggeeseareunacceptableinmanyareas. Whereallowed,huntingisthemostefficient and effective method of reducing goose populations,aswellasproblemsassociatedwiththeiroverabundance.Hunting,however,islegal only in the fall and winter. During spring and summer,geesecanbediscouragedfromanareabymakingthesurroundingslessattractive.Geesecanbediscouragedfromnestingbykeepingtheareamowed.Mowing,however,maymakethearea more attractive as a loafing or feeding site. Byeliminatingfertilizerapplicationsaroundthepond,thevegetationwillnotbeasnutritiousandnotasattractivetograzinggeese.Pondbanksthatareallowedtogrowupwithhighgrassesandweedsgenerallyarenotusedforgrazingor loafing. Unfortunately, many people find this techniqueunattractiveaswell. Geeselikeeasyaccessintoandoutofapond.Geesetypicallynestatthewater’sedgeinclumpsoftallgrassandothervegetation.Asingleclutchof4-8eggsisproducedannually.Byerectingapoultryfenceapproximately3feettallaroundtheperimeterofthepond,geesecanbediscouragedfromnestingandestablishingterritoriesaroundthepond.Thesefencesalsocanbeusedtokeepgeesewithgoslings(younggeese)outofyardsandgardens.Adultgeeseusuallywillnotcrossafenceandleavetheiryoungbehind.Analternativetofencingisestablishingadensehedgeoflow-growingshrubbery.Ahedgeservesthesamepurposeasfencing,yetismoreaestheticallypleasingandmaylastlongerthanfencing. Visual repellents, such as flags, Mylar®tape,balloonsandscarecrows,allhavebeenusedwithlimitedsuccessinscaringgeeseawayfromanarea.Aswithotherwildlifespecies,

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geeseusuallylearnthatthesematerialsarenotharmfulandtheysoonreturn.Visualrepellentshavebeenmosteffectiveinagriculturaldamagesituations,includinggardens,andarebestusedinconjunctionwithotherharassmentmethods.Themostsuccessfulrepellentforgeeseisadogthatwillactivelypatroltheareaandchasethegeeseaway.Itdoesnottakemanychasesforgeesetolearntheareaisnotsafeandfewwillreturn.Itismostimportanttorealizethatgeese(andallotherpeskycritters)shouldberepelledbeforehabituationtoanareaoccurs.Ifthisisaccomplished,problemsdowntheroadwillbelessenedsubstantially. Largecongregationsofgeeseoftenformatpondsandlakesinmid-summer(lateJune-earlyJuly).Itisatthistimethatadultgeesemoltand temporarily lose their ability to fly. During thisperiod,geesearesusceptibletoherdingandcapturewithwalk-infunneltraps.Federallawprohibitsindividualsfrompossessing,transportingorhandlingmigratorybirdswithoutapermitfromtheU.S.FishandWildlifeService.Inaddition,itisillegaltomanipulateeggsordestroynestsofmigratorybirds.Althoughthemajorityofthese“problem”goosepopulationsareresidentpopulations,theystillareconsideredmigratoryspecies.Itisunlawfulforprivateindividualstotrapgeese(atanytime)orkillthemoutsideofthedesignatedhuntingseason.Therefore,inareaswithlargecongregationsofgeese,personnelfromUSDA Wildlife Services may be contacted to trap andremoveproblemgeese.Finally,geese,aswellasallotherwaterfowlspecies,shouldneverbefed.Notonlydoesthisservetoattractthem,butalsoincreasestherateofdiseaseandthebirds’dependencyonhumans.

Great Blue Herons Aquaculturefacilitiesandsmallbackyardpondscreatedforwildlifeattractgreatblueherons–alarge,gray-bluebirdwithalongneckthatisS-shaped when flying and a long, pointed beak. Theseornatebirdsstandapproximately3feettallandhaveawingspanupto6feet.Oncehighly

soughtafterforplumesfoundonthebirds’head,neckandback,theseheronsweredriventonearextinction.Now,throughprotection,greatblueheronsarenumerousonceagain,tothepointthattheycauseseriousproblemsatmanyaquaculturefacilitiesandmaylimitfrogpopulationsinsomeareas. Great blue herons eat fish (as well as frogsandtadpoles,insectsandsmallbirds)and can have a significant economic impact on aquaculture.Inaddition,homeownersoftenareupset when they find great blue herons feeding at thesmallpondtheycreatedforwildlife,notunlikethesentimentfeltwhenaCooper’shawkpreysuponbluebirdsnestingorcardinalsfeedinginthebackyard.Itisimportanttorealizethatpredationisanaturalphenomenonandisquitenecessaryforhealthywildlifepopulations.However,thesefeedingforayscanbecomeexcessive,especiallywhen predators (i.e., great blue herons) find that obtainingfoodatthesesitesisexceptionallyeasyandhabitsareformed. Totalexclusionusingnettinghasbeenfoundquiteeffectiveforcombatinggreatblueheronpredationataquaculturefacilities;however,thisisnotaestheticallypleasingwhenplacedoverasmallbackyardpond.Perimeterfencingplacedaroundapondinwater2-3feetdeepwithmeshnettingreachingtothepondbottomcanhelpprevent herons from feeding upon fish in the pond. Scaretacticsthatemploysound(e.g.,propane exploders and firearms) can be effective, butthosethatscarebysight(e.g.,lightsandballoons)arenoteffectiveovertime.Perhapsthemost efficient, effective and aesthetically pleasing

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deterrenttogreatblueheronsisadog.Severalaquaculturefacilitiesnow“employ”bordercolliestochaseawaygreatblueherons.Adogcanbequiteeffectiveonarelativelysmallarea;however,effectivenessonlargerareasisquestionable.ItisillegaltoshootgreatblueheronswithoutapermitfromtheU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceandtherearenoregisteredtoxicantsorrepellentsforuseongreatblueherons.TheaddressforpermitapplicationisU.S.FishandWildlifeService,Migratory Bird and Eagle Permit Office, P. O. Box 49208,Atlanta,GA30359.Thereisa$25non-refundableapplicationfee.Initially,youwillneeda referral from USDA Wildlife Services personnel beforeapplyingforapermit.

VulturesTurkeyvultureandblackvultures(buzzards)areyear-roundresidentsofTennesseeandarecommonlyseeninruralandurbanlandscapes.Althoughvulturesprimarilyfeedoncarrion(animalcarcasses),theyoccasionallypreyondomesticfowl and livestock. They have a magnificent sense ofsmellandeyesightcomparedtootherbirds,whichhelpsthemscavengeforfood.Theirbillsareverystronganddesignedfortearingandpullingoncarcasses.Vulturesusuallylaytwoeggsindensethickets,rockledges,hollowlogsorabandonedbuildings.Theirdensecommunalroostsareoftenlocatedinwoodedravinesbutmightalsobeinlawntrees,rooftopsand

water-andpower-linetowers.Roostsareusedthroughouttheyear,especiallyinlatefallandearlyspring.Bothturkeyandblackvulturesmayroosttogetherandcauseassociatednuisanceandpropertydamageproblems. Whenroostsarelocatedonelectricaltowers,accumulationsofdroppings(feces)cancauselocalizedpoweroutages.Iftheroostisinaravinethatdrainsintolakesandrivers,the fecal matter can infiltrate the water supply, leadingtocoliformbacteriacontamination.Fecalaccumulationsassociatedwithroostsalsogiveoffanunpleasantodor,whichcancauseadditionalproblemsiftheroostisclosetohomesand/orhumanactivity.Vulturescancausemanyotherproblemsnotassociatedwithroosts. Vultures can cause significant economic losstolivestockoperationsbypluckingeyes,eatingtonguesordisembowelingnewborn,down or sick livestock. Domestic fowl are also occasionallykilledandeaten,butbothfowlandlivestock can suffer flesh wounds from bites. Vulturesareoccasionallyinvolvedinwildlife-aircraftcollisions(birdstrikes),especiallyaroundairports in proximity to a landfill. Because vultures are scavengers, landfills can be an attractive food source.Vulturesalsohavebeenknowntotearshinglesfromroofs;upholsteryfromcars,boatsandtractors;caulkingfromaroundwindows;andremove plastic flowers from cemeteries. Aswithotherspecies,acombinationofhabitatmanagement,harassmentandpopulationmanagement,whenapplicable,ismosteffectiveforsolvingthesewildlifedamageproblems.Sanitaryfarmingpractices,suchasimmediatelivestockcarcassdisposal(burialorincineration),protectedcalving/lambingareasandafterbirthdisposalwillreducethefoodsourceandlocalvulturepopulation. Preventionofroostingonlocalstructures,althoughcostly,canprovidepermanentdamagecontrolifmaintained.Installingwirepulledtautapproximately8inchesaboveandparalleltoperchsitescandetervulturesfromperchingonstructures.Hightensionneedstobemaintainedonthewiretopreventitfrombeingpusheddown

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andtokeepappropriateheightabovetheperchpreventingvulturesfromstraddlingthewire.Stickyrepellants,suchasTanglefoot®,Roost-no-more®ordouble-sidedtapecandiscourageperchingwherewireinstallationisnotpossible.Monofilament grids or netting can be used as barriers to prevent access to specific areas. Removalofpotentialroosttreesorgenerouspruningcancausevulturestoabandonaroost.Harassmentiscommonlyusedtorepelvulturesbecauseitisrelativelyeasytoimplementandinexpensive.Pyrotechnics(range<50yards),shellcrackers(range=100+yards)andhigh-poweredlasers(range=100+yards)scaretargetspeciesawayfromanarea;however,localnoiseordinancesandsafetyprecautionsshouldbeconsideredbeforeuse.Harassmenttechniquesshouldbeimplementedassoonastheproblemisdiscovered(orevenbefore,ifitissuspected)andmustbecontinuedwithregularitybeforethevultureswillchangetheirhabits.Habituatedvultures can be difficult to deter. Harassment techniquesshouldbeginjustbeforeduskifimplementedaroundroostsites.Vulturesmayvisitanumberofroostsinanarea,sosuccessfulharassmenttechniquesmayrequireaweekormore of diligence. The presence of helium-filled Mylar®balloonsoradeadvultureinaroosttreehasalsobeenreportedassuccessfultemporarily. Itisillegaltokillvulturesbecausetheyarelistedasamigratoryspeciesandareprotectedbyfederallaw.ProblemvulturescanbekilledifapermitisobtainedbytheU.S.FishandWildlifeService. You will need a referral from USDA WildlifeServicespersonnel(seeAppendixB)toapply(witha$25fee)foramigratorybirdpermitfromtheU.S.FishandWildlifeService,MigratoryBird and Eagle Permit Office at P.O. Box 49208, Atlanta,GA30359.NuisanceWildlifeControlOperatorsareabletoharassorshootmigratorybirdswhileworkingunderpermitsfromtheU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceobtainedbylandowners;however,theTennesseeWildlifeResourcesAgency should be notified before damage control techniquesareimplemented.

Other Bird Species and Associated Problems During the spring and summer months (especiallyearlyspring),cardinals,mockingbirdsandafewotherspeciesarefrequentlyreportedflying into windows. Large picture windows and slidingglassdoorsareattackedmostoften.Youmaythinkthebirdswouldlearnoncetheyhitthewindow, but they don’t. They repeatedly fly back intoit. Mostspeciesofwildlifeestablishterritoriestheydefendforbreeding,roosting,nestingorfeeding.Whenthedefendingbirdseesitsreflection in the bright, shiny glass, it fiercely attacks,apparentlythinkinganintruderisinvadinghisterritory.Homeownersusuallyareconcernedthatthebirdwillkillitself,orbecomeperturbedatthedroppingsandoccasionalbloodspotsonthewindow. Birds fighting their reflections usually do nothitthewindowhardenoughtokillthemselves.However,birdsoccasionallymistakealargewindowforanopeninginthebuildingandhitwith enough force to kill. Birds frequently fly into windowsonbuildingsinwoodedareasbecausethe reflection in these windows has the illusion of additionaltrees. Threecontrolmeasureshavebeentriedwithvaryingdegreesofsuccess.Oneistostickseveralstripsofmaskingtapeabout2inchesapartinthemiddleofthewindow.Thisseemstobreak up the reflection. In some cases, placing alightedlampinthewindowcaneliminatethe reflection. Finally, try taping a large black silhouetteofahawktothewindow.Ifyourwindowisattacked,don’tdespair,becauseinmostcasestheproblemlastsonlyashorttime–duringtheheightofthebreedingseason.Asalastresort,killingthebirdunderadepredationpermitmaybetheonlysolution.

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Snakes Acommoncomplaintregardingwildlifearoundthehouseisthepresenceofsnakes.Manypeopleareafraidofsnakesandbelievethatallsnakesarepoisonous,vilecreatures.Thereasonisobvious–theyjustdon’tknowenoughaboutthem. In actuality, snakes are quite beneficial, astheyhelpcontrolrodentpopulations.OnlyfourspeciesofvenomoussnakesarefoundinTennessee:copperhead(highlandmoccasin),cottonmouth(watermoccasin),timberrattlesnakeandpygmyrattlesnake.Allofthesearepitvipersandcanbedifferentiatedfromnon-poisonoussnakesbythreeprimarymethods.Allpitvipershavepits(heatsensorsusedfordetectingwarm-bloodedpreyinlow-lightconditions)locatedbetweentheeyeandthenostril.Pitvipersalsohaveellipticalpupils(similartocats)andundividedscalesontheundersideofthetailincludingthescalecoveringtheanus(analplate).(NOTE:Thescalesontheundersideoftheverytipofthetailofpitvipersmaybedivided).Non-venomoussnakesinTennesseedonothavepitsorellipticalpupils(theyareround),andallscalesontheundersideofthetailaredividedintwo.Youcannotdetermineifasnakeispoisonousbytheshapeofitshead. Ifsnakesarefrequentlyfoundaroundyourhouse,itisprobablybecausethereisanabundanceofrodentsinthearea.Allsnakesarepredatorsand,dependinguponthespeciesof

snake,eatmanydifferentkindsoffood–fromrodents to insects, birds and eggs, worms, fish andfrogs.Snakestypicallyarefoundinareasthatprovideshelterforrodentssuchaswoodpiles,brush and rock piles; overgrown fields; and oldshedsandbarns(especiallythosewherefeedisstored).Thebestwaytoreducesnakepopulationsaroundyourhouseistoremoveorcleanupthoseareasthatareattractivetorodents.Vegetationshouldbemowedcloselyandallbrushandrockpilesnearahouseorotherbuildingshouldberemovedtomakethearealessattractivetorodentsandsnakes. Shootingorseveringtheheadofasnakeistheactiontakenbymanypeoplewhenasnakehasbeenencountered.Fewpeoplerealizesnakesareaprotectedwildlifespeciesandindiscriminatekillingisillegal.Thisshouldnotprecludeyoufromkillingavenomoussnakethatposesagenuinethreat;however,itisrecommendedthattheanimalbecapturedandremovedifpossible.Sincesnakesareaprotectedwildlifespecies,you should consult an officer with the Tennessee WildlifeResourcesAgencybeforekillingtheseanimals,whenpossible. Methodsofremovingsnakesincludeglueboardsandtraps.Glueboardsworkwellandarequitecost-effective.Glueboardsshouldbeplacedagainstwallsforbestresults,asthisiswheresnakesnormallytravel.Vegetableoilisusedtodissolvetheglueandreleasethesnakeunharmedoncethesnakehasbeenrelocated.Anothertrapusedforsnakesisthefunneltrap,whichismadeofwiremeshwithdriftfencesradiatingouttodirectthesnakeintothetrap.Snakerepellantshavenotbeenfoundeffectiveonaconsistentbasis.Aswithotherpeskycritters,exclusionisthemostimportantstepinavoidingfutureproblemswithsnakes.Allopeningsintobuildings¼-inchorlargershouldbesealedbysomemeans,suchasmortar,steelwool,sheetmetalorhardwarecloth.

Roundpupil

Nostril

Ellipticalpupil

Nostril

Pit

Reptiles

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Lizards Peoplefrequentlyareconcernedwithlizardsaroundtheirhouseandwanttoknowhowtocontrolthem.Thereare10kindsoflizardsinTennessee,andallareharmless;nonearevenomous.Twoofthemostcommonlizardsarethefencelizard(Sceloporusundulatus)andthe5-linedskink(Eumecesfaciatus).Thefencelizardisscalygraywitharoughappearanceandthe 5-lined skink has five light stripes on a dark background.Juvenile5-linedskinkshaveabluetailthatturnstobrownish-grayinadults.Theoldermalesmaylosetheirstripesandhaveacoppery-redcoloredhead. Theabovelizardsobtainsexualmaturityintheirsecondspringandfemaleslay6-10eggsinarelativelymoist,protectedspot,suchasunderarottinglog,sawdustpileorrock.EggsnormallyarelaidinJuneandhatchinJuly.Lizardsfeedoninvertebrates(e.g.,insects,spiders,millipedesandsnails)andarepreyeduponbyfoxes,skunks,raccoons,hawks,owls,snakesandotherlizards. Despite the fact that all lizards in Tennessee areharmless,somepeoplestillwanttoremovethem.ItshouldbeunderstoodthatlizardsareprotectedinTennesseeandindiscriminatekillingisillegal.Also,permissionfromyourcountywildlife officer and a permit are necessary to keep oneincaptivity. Glueboardsareeffectivefortrappinglizards.Aswithsnakes,glueboardsshouldbeplacedagainstwallsforbestresults.Vegetableoilpouredoverlizardsstucktotheglueboardswillallowthemtobereleasedunharmed.

Crawdads TherearehundredsofspeciesofcrawdadsthroughouttheUnitedStatesandalmostasmanycommon names for them (crayfish, crawfish, freshwatercrab,etc.).Crawdadsareapreferredfood for many fish (bass, bream, trout and catfish) andaquatic(bullfrogs,ottersandmink),avian(ducks, kingfishers, egrets, herons), and terrestrial (raccoons) wildlife. Crawdads play a significant roleinaquaticecosystems.Theyeatlivinganddeadplantandanimalmaterial,whichhelpsimprovewaterquality.Theyarecommerciallygrownforhumanconsumption(especiallyinLouisiana) and fish bait. Although crawdads positively influence aquatic ecosystems and are animportantcommercialfoodsource,theycanbepestsincertainsituations. Crawdadscancausedamagetolawns,earthendams,gardens,agriculturalcropsandbaitfish populations with their tunneling and feedingactivities.Mostspeciesofcrawdadscreateburrowsondryland.Thesecone-shapedmoundsofmudcanbeasdeepas3feettoaidinescapefrompredatorsandprovideshelterwhenmoltingandnursing.Thisisespeciallytrueinearlyspring,whenbreedingseasonpeaks,throughfallwhenadultsareintheirburrows.Thenumberofburrowsincreaseswhencrawdadpopulationsarehighandwhenwaterlevelsriseandfallfrequently.Manyburrowshavemorethanoneentrancehole(withuptoa2-inchdiameter),creatingtunnelsinthebank.Crawdadsarealsoknowntoeateggsand fry of baitfish and gamefish, which can reduce reproduction.

Five-linedskink

Other Animals

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Aesthetically,manypeopledonotlikecrawdadburrowspoppingupintheirlawns,astheylooklike“chimneysofmud.”Indirectly,thesechimneyscanbeasourceofextensivelawndamageasraccoons,skunksandarmadillosmayusethemasastartingpointtodigforthecrawdads. As water levels fluctuate, tunnels belowthewaterlineserveaschannelsforwaterleakage,whilethoseabovethewaterlinecancompromisethestructuralintegrityofbermsordikes,eventuallycausingthemtofail. Therearenofumigantsorgeneral-usepesticidesregisteredforcrawdadcontrol,primarilybecauseofthepotentialnon-targetdamagetowaterquality.However,boilingwatercanbepouredintocrawdadburrowsinyardstoreduce their activity. Rice fields can be cultivated usingdeeptillagetoreduceburrowingcrawdadpopulations.Canalscanbedrainedinfallandwintertodrythesoilenoughtocausecrawdadsto move on to other areas. Similarly, baitfish pondscanbedrainedduringearlyspring(priortoburrowusage),exposingcrawdadstopredators.Predationcanalsobeincreasedbystockinggamefish or promoting habitat for terrestrial and avianwildlifethateatcrawdads.Whenallelsefails,trappingcanbeused(addingcosttoyourmaWireornettraps(forextensiveshorelinecoverage) baited with chicken or dead fish are efficient but may not be cost-effective. A simple trapdesignthatworksistomodifyafunnel-endcommercialminnowtrapbyexpandingtheopeningsto2inchesindiameter.Leaveastringoftrapsunderwaterovernightandcheckthefollowingmorning.

General Trapping Tips Followingaresometipsthatcanhelpyoutrappeskycrittersaroundyourhouse.1) Trapsshouldnotbetreatedbecausethe

odorofpaintorwoodpreservativesmayactasarepellenttosomeanimals.Theodorofananimalpreviouslycapturedsometimeswillattractotheranimalstothetrap.Someanimalsmayberepelledbythescentofother

animals.Urinefromeitherwildordomesticmammalsplacedonanewtrapmaymakeitmoreattractive.Placinganewtrapoutsideforseveralweekswillenableitto“weather.”Avoidusingpetroleum-basedgreaseoroil.Iflubricationisneeded,rubanimalfatovertheworkingparts.Note:Thisdoesnotrefertothedyingandwaxingofsteeltraps.

2) Placetrapsnearcoveralongatrailusedbytheanimal.Livetrapsshouldbeplacedaslevelaspossiblesothatitworksproperlyandwillnotrolloverwhentheanimaltriestoenter.Someanimalsmaytrytoreachthebaitfromoutsidethetrap,sobesuretocenterthebaitinthetrap,behindthetriggermechanism.Tallgrassandotherobstructionsinfrontofthetrapdoorshouldberemovedsotheanimalhasaclearentrance.

3) Makeeveryefforttominimizechancesofcapturingorkillingnon-targetindividualsorspecies.Trapsshouldbecheckedregularly(atleastonceperday).Makeapointtoseethatnoanimalsuffersunnecessarilyinyourtrap.

4) Removelive-trappedanimalswithcaution.Knowbeforehandwhereandhowyouwillreleaseordisposeoftrappedanimals.Live-trappedanimalsshouldeitherbekilledorreleasedfarenoughawaysotheywillnotreturn. Do not release animals in an area wheretheywillbecomesomeoneelse’sproblem.Thelawrequiresyougetthelandowner’spermissionbeforereleasingananimalonsomeoneelse’sproperty.

Tocatchacertainkindofanimal,trapsize,trapplacementandtypeofbaitareimportant.Therearemanykindsofcommercialbaitsandscentsavailable,butmanybaitsareavailableinyourhome.BaitsthatmaybeusedsuccessfullyintrappingcommonpestsaroundthehousearelistedinAppendixA.

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Appendix A. Baits and Trap Sizes for Various Animals.

Species Bait Live Trap Size (inches)

Other

Oppossum Vegetables, apple slices, sardines, scrap meat, canned dog food, chicken entrails, fish, table scraps

11 x 11 x 36

Rabbit Vegetables, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, bread, apple slices

7 x 7x 30 Enclosed box trap does not have to be baited, lead the rabbit over the trip by placing several small pieces of bait in front of the trap and at 3” or 4” intervals on into the trap.

Raccoon Fish (fresh or canned), scrap meat, canned dog food, sardines, chicken, whole fresh egg over sardines, bacon, table scraps, sweet corn and fish flavored cat food

13 x 13 x 42 Fish oil or commercial raccoon lure are attractive to coons.

Skunk Chicken heads or entrails, fish (fresh or canned), scrap meat, canned dog or cat food, sardines, dead mice, whole fresh egg over sardines, bacon, table scraps, peanut butter and honey.

7 x 7 x 30 Skunks usually do not spray if trap is covered with a burlap bag to darken it before transporting.

Squirrel Nuts, peanut butter, whole peanuts, rolled oats, bread, shelled corn, pumpkin or sunflower seed, dried prunes

Set raps along paths frequently used by squirrels – tree bases, feeding stations, rooftops, etc.

Weasel Fresh fish, liver, chicken entrails, meat scraps 5 x 5 x 18 Place trap in crannies, brush piles, log piles, or any small covered area. Adjust pan to “hair trigger.”

Groundhog Lettuce, peas, beans, corn, cabbage, carrots, apples, other fruits

11 x 11 x 36

Coyote Weiners, canned dog food 30 x 30 x 70 Commercial coyote scents work well.

House cat Fish, meat, cat food, table scraps 11 x 11 x 36

Fox Chicken necks and entrails, meat or flesh from almost anything that walks, flies or swims

12 x 12 x 55 Commercially available fox urine is effective, and just a small amount on the end of a stick is enough.

Chipmunk Nuts, peanut butter, bread, shelled corn, unroasted peanuts, rolled oats, apple cubes, sunflower seeds

5 x 5 x 18 Set traps near trails or dens.

Mouse Cheese, bread, oatmeal, peanut butter, nuts, gumdrops, raisins, scorched bacon (most human foods are readily accepted)

3 x 3 x 10

Mink Chicken entrails, fresh fish, liver 7 x 7 x 30 Cubby sets are effective. Place brush or other material over the trap so animal has sensation of going into a hole to get bait.

Muskrat Apples slices, other fruits, carrots, cabbage, lettuce

7 x 7x 24

Rat Blood meat scraps, peanut butter, cheese, gumdrops, (most human foods are readily accepted)

5 x 5 x 18 Place traps along walks, behind objects, along sills, head boards and rafters.

Dog Weiners, canned dog food, bacon, smoked ham scraps, table scraps

30 x 30 x 70

Bobcat Chick necks and entrails 12 x 12 x 56 Commercial bobcat scents work well.

Voles Peanut butter, oatmeal, apple slices

Crawdads Chicken and dead fish use minnow trap

30

APPENDIx B

For further assistance, who do you call?

USDA Wildlife Services•Migratorybirds

•Non-gamespecies

•Pigeons

•House(English)sparrows

•Winterblackbirdroosts

(fromThanksgivingthroughMarch15)

•Wildlifeproblemsassociatedwith

commercialandindustrialsites

•Wildlifeproblemsaroundairports

Brett G. Dunlap, State DirectorUSDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services537 Myatt DriveMadison,TN37115Phone:(615)736-5506

Keith M. Blanton–EastTennesseeUSDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services4708WesternAve.,SuiteAKnoxville,TN37921Phone:(865)588-0299

Ed Penrod–MiddleTennesseeUSDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services537 Myatt DriveMadison,TN37115Phone:(615)736-5506

David B. Lingo–WestTennesseeUSDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services36BrentshireSquare,SuiteA-2 Jackson,TN38305Phone:(731)668-3388

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA)•Gamespecies

•Furbearers

•Exoticspecies(e.g.,lions,parrots,hyenas)

•Summerblackbirdroosts

(fromMarch15throughThanksgiving)

Tim White,WildlifeServicesCoordinatorTWRA Central OfficeEllingtonAgriculturalCenterP.O.Box40747Nashville,TN37204Phone:(615)781-6610

TWRA Region I–Jackson225MartinLutherKingBlvd.State Office Bldg., Box 55Jackson,TN38301(731)423-5725TollFree:1-800-372-3928

TWRA Region II–NashvilleEllingtonAgriculturalCenterP.O.Box40747Nashville,TN37204(615)781-6622TollFree:1-800-624-7406

TWRA Region III–Crossville464IndustrialBlvd.Crossville,TN38555(931)484-9571TollFree:1-800-262-6704

TWRA Region IV–Talbott6032WestAndrewJohnsonHwy.Talbott,TN37877(423)587-7037TollFree:1-800-332-0900

31

APPENDIx C

Materials and Supplies

Metal Wires or ProjectorsNixalite of America102516thAvenueBox727EastMoline,IL61244-0727(800)624-1189

Cat Claw, Inc.Box3778Johnstown,PA15904(800)832-2473

Polybutenes (sticky or tacky repellents) and Foot Irritants

B & G Chemicals and Equipment Co., Inc.10539MaybankDallas, TX 75354-0428(800)345-9387

Birdbusters1083ThomasJeffersonSt.NWWashington, D.C. 20007(800)662-4737

Bird-X, Inc.730W.LakeStreetChicago,IL60661(800)662-5021

J. T. Eaton & Co., Inc.1393E.HighlandRd.Twinsburg,OH44087(800)321-3421

J. C. Ehrlich Chemical Co.500 Springs Ridge Dr.Reading,PA19612(800)488-9495

Hot Foot America, LP#4061980WashingtonSt.SanFrancisco,CA94109(800)533-8421

The Tanglefoot Co. 314StraightAve.,SWGrandRapids,MI49504-6485(616)459-4139

Taste Repellents

Miller Chemical and Fertilizer Corp. (Hot Sauce®)Box333RadioRd.Hanover,PA17331(800)233-2040

Burlington Scientific Corp. (Ro-pel®)222SherwoodAve.Farmingdale,NY11735(516)694-9000

Skunk Odorizers

R.C.F. Development, Inc. (Super CD-2®, Skunk-Off ®)2509BrowncroftBlvd.Rochester,N.Y.14625

J. Norris Corp. (Dazie Disk®)25WestMerrickRd.Dept. BR-92Freeport,N.Y.11520

Nisus Corp. (Shazam® Odor Control)215 Dunavant Dr.Rockford,TN37853(888)274-2026

32

Netting

Miller Net and TwineBox18787Memphis,TN38181-0787NylonNetCo.615EastBodleyAvenueBox592Memphis,TN38101

Home Depot

Lowes

Rodenticides (Zinc Phosphide and Anticoagulants)

ArChem Corp.151411thSt.Box767Portsmouth,OH45662

B & G Chemicals and Equipment Co., Inc.10539MaybankDallas, TX 75354-0428(800)345-9387

Bell Laboratories, Inc.3669KinsmanBlvd.Medicine,WI53704(608)241-0202www.belllabs.com

HOCCO Inc.Box7190Madison,WI53707(608)221-6200

J. T. Eaton & Co., Inc.1393E.HighlandRd.Twinsburg,OH44087(800)321-3421

Monterey Chemicals Co.5150N.6thSt.Box5317Fresno,CA93755(209)225-4770

Motomco, Ltd.3699KingmanBlvd.Madison,WI53704(813)447-3417motomco.com

RCO, Inc. (Mole Patrol®)P.O.Box446JunctionCity,OR97448(800)214-2248

The Huge Co.7625PageBlvd.St.Louis,MO63133(800)873-4843

York Distributors120ExpressSt.Plainview,NY11803(800)645-6007

Mole Traps

Nash Mole Trap Co. (Choker-loop type)5716E.SAve.Vicksburg,MI49097-9990(616)323-2980

Woodstream Corp. (Harpoon and Pincher type)69N.LocustLititz,PA17543-0327(717)626-2125

APPENDIx C (continued)

33

B & G Chemicals and Equipment Co., Inc. (Harpoon type)10539MaybankDallas, TX 75354-0428(800)345-9387

P-W Mfg. Co. (Pincher type)610HighSt.Henryetta,OK74737(918)652-4981

Traps and General Trapping Supplies

Burnham BrothersBox1148Menard, TX 76859(800)451-4572

Duke Co.508BrameAve.Box555WestPoint,MS39773(601)494-6767

Forestry Suppliers, Inc.P.O.Box8397Jackson,MS39284-8397(800)647-5368

M & M Fur Co.Box15Bridgewater, SD 57319-0015(605)729-2535

R-P OutdoorsP.O.Box1170Mansfield, LA 71052(800)762-2706

Tomahawk Live Trap Co.P.O.Box323Tomahawk,WI54487(800)27A-TRAP

Woodstream Corp.69N.LocustLititz,PA17543-0327(717) 626-2125

Harassment equipment, including pyrotechnics

Reed Joseph International CompanyP.O.Box894Greenville,MS38702(800)647-5554

UniversityofTennesseeExtensiondoesnotnecessarilyendorseanyoftheabove-mentioned

companiesorcommercialproducts.

Someoftheinformationandillustrationsinthis

publicationwereadaptedfromvarioussources.

34

References

Curtis, P.D. and J. Shultz.2008.Bestpracticesforwildlifecontroloperators. Thomson Delmar Learning. Clifton Park,NY.

Elbroch, M. and E. Marks.2001.Birdtracksandsign.StackpoleBooks.Mechanicsburg,PA.

Hygnstrom, S.E., R.M. Timm, and G.E. Larson.1994.Preventionandcontrolofwildlifedamage.UniversityofNebraskaCooperativeExtension,Lincoln,NE.

Rezendez, P.1995.Trackingandtheartofseeing.CamdenHousePublishing.Charlotte,VT.

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PB1624-2.5M-8/07(Rev)E12-4915-00-005-0707-0039

Visit the UT Extension Web site athttp://www.utextension.utk.edu/

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