PLANT PROTECTION 1 – Pests, Diseases and Weeds

PLANT PROTECTION 1 – Pests, Diseases and Weeds
CONTROL
METHODS
(contd)
Each State/
Territory/Council has
Information Sheets on
Vertebrate Pest Control
.STATES/TERRITORIES/REGIONAL LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS.
State/Territories have their legislation relating to vertebrate pests which can be
accessed online via their environment or primary industry websites.
Domestic ‘pets’, in order to protect the environment, humans and reduce noise
levels and are coming under more regulation.
Rural Lands Protection Boards have a responsibility to enforce
the Act which says landholders under the Act must suppress and control declared
noxious animals on their properties (private or public).
All native animals are protected by legislation and permits to destroy them
must be obtained from the appropriate government department, eg
– Birds, eg parrots, honeyeaters.
– Kangaroos, wallabies, possums, fruit bats.
Recent invasions by vertebrate pests, eg the cane toad may require that
sightings be notified.
Noxious animals are proclaimed under legislation, and include rabbits, feral
pigs, dingoes.
– Animals declared noxious, vary according to location within Australia. A pest in
one area can be an endangered species in another.
– Contact the local responsible authority for control information and your
responsibilities.
– Control measures of noxious animals are usually prescribed by legislation.
– Supply and use of pesticides to control vertebrate pests is often restricted.
– Federal Government may financially assist farmers to carry out pest control
especially after drought.
.CULTURAL METHODS.
Modifying habitats. Bush areas adjacent to cultivated fields often increase pest
problems in agriculture. Many types of vertebrate problems have been minimized by
modifying the habitat of these surrounding areas, eg ‘clean’ farming that eliminates
cover along fence rows and field margins, however, it is generally frowned upon by
conservationists.
Alternate food sources. Troublesome vertebrates such as ducks and geese, can
be controlled to some extent by providing them with alternate food and water
sources preventing damage. About one third of the birds that attack grapes are
thirsty so provision of drinking water may save some fruit. Overseas diversionary
crops keep rats from wanted crops. In some countries early crop lures are
used to attract rats for destruction before the main crop is planted.
In certain areas of Australia damage to eucalypt stems may be reduced
by preventing parrots and other birds from flying through the surrounding vegetation
by planting areas with wattles which may act as a physical barrier to the birds.
Destroy shelter for pests, eg controlling blackberries which harbour rabbits.
Culling and relocating bats in Melbourne Botanic Gardens.
Some plants attract animals, eg cats to catnip (Nepata cataria).
SANITATION.
Slash and burn/destroy blackberry thickets which act as a refuge for pests.
Compost heaps attract rats and some exotic birds, eg blackbirds, so contain
compost heaps and do not leave food around.
Farm hygiene, eg minimize spilt stock food.
.BIOLOGICAL CONTROL.
Biological control aims to regulate populations rather than eradicate them.
The use of predators to control vertebrate pests has generally not been very
successful as the predator may itself become a pest, eg if rabbits are controlled then
foxes have to look elsewhere for food.
– Dogs and cats. Probably the best known use of predators to control vertebrate
animals in a localized situation is the use of cats and dogs, eg Jack Russells, to
control mice and rat populations.
– The intentional introduction of predators to control troublesome species of
vertebrates should not be undertaken until all potential ecological consequences
have been carefully scrutinized. Examples of instances where this has not been
carried out include the introduction of the:
Fox into Australia to control the rabbit.
Cane toad to control cane grubs in sugarcane in Qld.
Weasels, stoats and ferrets into NZ to control the rabbit.
All of these introduced predators not only failed to accomplish their task, but
themselves became pests.
– Native predators.
Dingoes prey and exert some control of kangaroos in certain areas.
Owls in sugarcane field in Queensland eat an average of 5 rats per night.
244 Vertebrate pests