Vertebrate Pest Management

Vertebrate pests include animals with a backbone, such as ground squirrels, mice and pigeons.

Exclusion

Exclusion is the practice of keeping the pest out of or away from crops, ornamental plants, buildings, etc. Using barriers, such as fencing and durable materials, to plug entrances into buildings or prevent animals from accessing crops, gardens, lawns or landscape plants, are examples of exclusion practices. Fences must be sized according to the type of pest to be excluded.

Photo of a deer jumping over a fence — To be effective, exclusion fences for deer must be at least 6 feet tall. Some experts recommend the fence be 7 to 8-feet tall.
Photo credit: Terry Spivey, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Sanitation

This is especially important for areas like kitchens, residences and areas where animals are kept. Eliminate food and water sources. Store food and animal feeds, grain and seed in rodent-proof containers. Repair leaky pipes. Sanitation is also important for managing vertebrate pests in yards. Avoid leaving windfall apples or other fruits and vegetables where they are accessible to pests. Cover your compost pile.

Trapping

There are several types of kill traps and live traps available for most vertebrate pest species. It is essential to choose the proper trap and learn the correct way to use it. Live trapping and releasing the pest is neither acceptable nor legal. Individuals who release live-trapped animals are moving the pest problem and sometimes diseases like rabies, distemper or plague along with them. Live trapping followed by an approved method of euthanasia is recommended. The American Veterinary Medical Association has specific guidelines for euthanasia.

Photo of a metal animal trap — When using live traps, do NOT relocate pest animals.
Photo credit: NDOA

Repellents

Repellants may be applied to valuable vegetation or can be used in areas where pests are known to frequent. They often don't work the way people expect them to work. Sunshine can break down the repellent, and sprinklers and rain can wash away the product. New growth on plants must be retreated, and animals may simply get used to the repellent.

Photo of a deer repellant attached to a fence post — Deer repellents can be attached to posts or fences.
Photo credit: Chazz Hesselein Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Bugwood.org

Rodenticide Baits

Baits such as seeds, grains and vegetation treated with rodenticides are used to control several types of vertebrate pests. Most baits must be applied in bait stations or underground within animal burrows to lessen the risk of killing of non-target species. Pesticide labels describe methods for applying the bait. Pesticides used include strychnine, zinc phosphide and various anticoagulants. Strychnine may only be applied underground.

Photo of a wood bait station box — Use an appropriate bait station to reduce the chances of killing non-target animals.
Photo credit: NDOA

Fumigants

Smoke bombs and various types of internal combustion engines produce poison gases, including carbon monoxide, that can be used as fumigants. This is a very dangerous method that should be avoided by homeowners. To be effective, all burrow entrances must be blocked. When using smoke bombs, avoid areas near structures, haystacks, etc. Aluminum phosphide fumigants are available either as tablets or pellets. When applied in rodent burrows, they produce phosphine gas, which is deadly. Applied improperly, aluminum phosphide has resulted in numerous human deaths. To purchase, apply or supervise the use of this pesticide, applicators must successfully pass the state rodent burrow fumigation certification category. Homeowners cannot use these products.

Hefner, M. 2019, Vertebrate Pest Management, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno. IP

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Also of Interest:


A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing Cabbage Caterpillars This fact sheet describes the identifying features, life cycle, plant damage, and control methods for managing common caterpillar pests on various crops in the cabbage family. K. Burls, W. Hanson Mazet, H. Kratsch 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-109
A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing Earwigs This fact sheet describes the identifying features, life cycle, plant damage, and control methods for managing earwigs in Nevada. K. Burls, W.Hanson Mazet, H. Kratsch 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-108
A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing Shield Bugs This fact sheet describes the identifying features, life cycle, plant damage, and control methods for managing Shield Bugs in Nevada. K. Burls, W. Hanson Mazet, H. Kratsch 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-110
A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing Squash Bugs This fact sheet describes the identifying features, life cycle, plant damage, and control methods for managing Squash Bugs in Nevada. K. Burls, W. Hanson Mazet, H.i Kratsch 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-111
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Mayweed chamomile Mayweed chamomile is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed. Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Associated Programs

ladybug larva eating aphids on a pepper plant

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management program is a long-term management strategy that uses a combination of tactics to reduce pests to tolerable levels with potentially lower costs for the pest manager and minimal effect on the environment.