Vertebrate Pests in Integrated Pest Management

Vertebrate Pests

Animals with backbones (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals).

General Signs of Vertebrate Pests

Tracks, Tooth marks, Droppings (scat), Dens, burrows, and trails, Plant damage.

Deer

Common Species: Mule deer, Black-tailed deer. Damage: Eat plants, trample gardens, girdle trees.

Deer Signs

Hoofprints (2-3 in long, split in middle), Small, jellybean-shaped droppings, Ragged plant damage, Broken saplings/branches.

Deer Control

Need a permit to kill; traps/poison are illegal. Exclusion fencing (7-8 ft tall) is best. Use wire/plastic around plants. Repellents work short-term. Deer ignore most scare devices.

Gophers

Damage: Kill plants by eating roots, damage irrigation.

Gopher Signs

Sudden plant death, Fresh crescent-shaped mounds with plugged holes.

Gopher Control

No license needed. Traps (pincer/box) are effective. Hardware cloth or wire baskets under plants. Baits/fumigants work, but need careful use.

Ground Squirrels

Damage: Eat crops, chew irrigation, girdle trees, dig burrows.

Ground Squirrel Burrows

4 in wide, 5-30 ft long, 2-6 ft deep.

Ground Squirrel Behavior

Active midmorning-afternoon, hibernate and estivate.

Ground Squirrel Control

No license, but avoid harming Mohave Ground Squirrel (protected). Habitat cleanup (remove brush/debris). Destroy old burrows. Trapping hard due to relocation laws. Use baits in summer/fall; fumigation in spring.

Mice

Damage: Contaminate food, chew structures, spread disease.

Mouse Signs

Droppings, gnaw marks, musky odor, Mostly nocturnal.

Mouse Control

Exclusion and sanitation are best. Seal food, water, and shelter. Traps for small populations. Natural predators help with small infestations.

Rabbits

Damage: Eat low-growing plants, chew irrigation lines. Jackrabbits: Large, travel far. Cottontails/Bush Rabbits: Smaller, stay in dense cover.

Rabbit Signs

Clean 45° angle cuts on plants, Round droppings (pellets), Holes and small paths near fences.

Rabbit Control

No license needed if damaging crops/plants. Fencing (buried) is most effective. Use tree cages if fencing is too expensive. Habitat cleanup and predator encouragement help. Avoid poisons (harmful to predators).

Rats

Damage: Eat/contaminate food and fruit, spread disease.

Rat Behavior

Nocturnal, memorize paths, avoid new objects.

Rat Reproduction

Up to 6 litters/year (5-8 young each).

Rat Signs

Droppings near food/storage areas, Fruit damage, burrows.

Rat Control

Exclusion and sanitation. Clean fallen fruit, turn compost. Traps/baits can work, but use carefully.