Animal Pests and Wildlife

Richardson's Ground Squirrel (Gophers)

Ground Squirrels - locally referred to as gophers - are found throughout Lacombe County and play an important ecological role as a food source for many predators. But when gopher populations grow too fast, they can pose a significant economic threat to agriculture as well as negatively impact natural ecosystems.

For this reason, Lacombe County recommends an integrated pest management approach to maintaining gopher populations below threshold limits. A combination of population monitoring, cultural controls, as well as lethal control measures can help agricultural producers in reducing population numbers. For more information on the biology and control of Richardson Ground Squirrels check out this informational factsheet from Alberta Agriculture & Irrigation.

Some other options to aid farmers in the control of gophers are:

1. Raptor platforms, nesting boxes, and perches to encourage natural predation
2. Reduce preferred habitat by maintaining healthy pastures and use of rotational grazing
3. Rozol, for the control of Ground Squirrels and Pocket Gophers in rangelands, crop, and non-crop areas.
4. Rocon, is a poison-free rodenticide registered by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency for the control of rodents.

Lacombe County has permanently ended its strychnine retail program.

Contact Community Services for more information. Understanding the life cycles of these animals will assist in managing them.

Northern Pocket Gophers

Northern Pocket Gophers are pests that are particularly hard to control.

To date, the only effective method has been trapping, which is time-consuming. Traps are available at agricultural retail outlets throughout the county.

Coyotes

In some cases, we can assist producers with problem coyotes.  AG(04) Coyote Control Devices and Chemicals provides for the use of registered coyote control products in cases where there have been confirmed kills of livestock by coyotes

It is important to remember that these devices are non-discriminate and will only be utilized in situations where the Director of Community Services or Manager of Agriculture & Environmental Services feels they are safe to do so. The legislation governing the use of these products is specific to livestock predation and cannot be used in the case of harassment or predation of pets.

As coyotes are considered a nuisance, under Agricultural Pests Act we can only provide control if they are harassing or killing livestock. Pets do not qualify as livestock and do not qualify under this program. However, landowners have the right to destroy coyotes on their own property. Coyotes survive very well amongst people and will adapt to any situation that is advantageous to them.

Do not make your property attractive to them by leaving out pet food or carrion as this will only serve to attract them. In many situations, coyotes are only fulfilling their role in nature which is to clean up carrion (dead animals).

Beavers

Beaver activity in Lacombe County can have a major impact on roads and associated drainage works. Under AG(05) Beaver Flood Control, Lacombe County will control beavers if there is flooding on county right-of-ways caused by beaver activity on county land.

With written permission from the landowner, beavers may be controlled on private lands if beaver activity is causing flooding on county right of ways.

If flooding from beaver activity is not affecting county property, please call Community Services for names of local trappers that may assist you.

Insect/Crop Pests

The Agriculture Department assists both the Provincial and Federal Governments with several pest surveys each year, including Grasshoppers, Bertha Armyworms, and Lygus Bugs.

Skunks

Under AG(09) Skunk Trap Requests Policy, skunk traps are loaned to County residents at no cost. A $75 Deposit (cheque or cash) is required at the time of pick up. The traps must be returned in 2 weeks and brought back clean and undamaged.

PLEASE NOTE: Lacombe County DOES NOT address skunk issues on private properties.

If you are having problems with skunks on your land, there are steps that you can take to either prevent attracting them or to deal with skunk problems.

1. Remove Shelter

• Clear out brush piles, stacked lumber and debris piles that skunks can use as cover.
• Look around your property for spaces underneath sheds, porches, decks and crawlspaces. These spaces should be closed off. Make sure there are no skunks inside when you close off the area.
• Deter skunks that have already taken up residence under a building or other location on your property by placing mothballs in these spaces. The smell of mothballs repulses skunks.

1. Remove Food

• Store your garbage and recycling in containers that have tight-fitting lids. Replace garbage cans that are in poor repair.
• Feed your pets indoors, or remove their dishes immediately after feeding and store the pet food inside.

1. The next step is to trap additional skunks. Skunks can be hunted or trapped in all seasons by the owner or occupant of the land.

• Under Lacombe County's Skunk Trap Requests Policy, skunk traps are loaned to County residents at no cost. A $75 deposit (cheque or cash) is required at the time of pick up. The traps must be returned in 2 weeks and brought back clean and undamaged.
• Local pest control companies may also be able to provide advice or service.

About Skunks

Skunks feed heavily on insects and rodents such as mice. They don't truly hibernate but will become inactive in the coldest months of winter. Though not usually social, skunks will den with other skunks to share body warmth.

Typically, skunks are not aggressive and will let you know that they feel threatened by:

• Stamping their front feet
• Growling
• Raising their tails
• Hissing

Respond to this threat by quietly and slowly backing away and making no sudden or aggressive movements as you do.

Rats

Alberta maintains rat-free status as a result of a vigilant rat control program that has been in place for many years.

If you think you have seen a rat, try to take a picture if possible and contact Community Services or 310-RATS (7287).

Visit Alberta Agriculture & Irrigation for more information.

Magpies

The Alberta Government offers instructions on how to construct your own magpie trap.

Wild Boars

When not being raised as livestock, wild boar are considered to be ‘at large.' In Alberta, wild boar are an invasive species and a provincially regulated agricultural pest when at large. They can damage property, agricultural crops, pastures and the environment, and are known to endanger people and animals.

Under the Agricultural Pests Act and Pest and Nuisance Control Regulation, landowners are required to control or destroy pests and prevent them from becoming established on their land.

To report Wild Boar sightings contact 310-FARM or go to Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation website to report.