The adult weevil is about ½ inch (12 mm) in length, is brownish-black and has a dull body (Fig. 16). The adult female enters the base of the plant to lay eggs. Decay microbes also enter through this injury and as the tissue rots, the plant has a wilted appearance. Infested plants soon collapse and die,
The larvae (grubs) develop in the dying plant and infect other hosts nearby. Agave snout weevil also infests the canes of several Yucca species.
Control of the agave snout weevil is difficult. Selecting species that are less susceptible and typically smaller than the century plant is helpful, especially in areas where the problem has occurred previously. With rare or special specimens, chemical prevention using a broad-spectrum insecticide applied in spring is often effective in reducing damage.
Several soil-borne pathogens including a species of the bacterium Erwinia and the fungus Fusarium have been impli¬cated in root and crown rots of agaves. A disease is usually in concert with infestations by the agave weevil, and currently, it is thought that weevil feeding enables these pathogens to enter and cause disease when they normally would not be pathogenic on healthy plants. See the section on agave weevil for more information on this insect vector. Other than preventing wounds in the plant, such as those caused by the agave weevil, there is no control for the bacterial and fungal infections once the microbes have entered the plant.
Information Credit:
Rodent Control, (A practical guide for pest management professionals)
and
Truman’s Scientific Guide to Pest Management Operations 7th Edition
Home range of the Roof rat in is estimated at 25 – 100 foot radius from the nest. But the specific environment dictates the home range of most rodent families. Rats living close to easily accessible food tend to have shorter home ranges. It would be considered common for the Roof rat to travel 300 feet from the nest while foraging however, rats living within a structure such as a ceiling void may go no further than 25 feet.
Each site may pose numerous difficulties as well as types of control measures. Always remember, you have to be patient. Although there are numerous control measures as with other rodents I would say it is the preparation of the property.
Numerous baits & traps are available on the market however in the past few years many types of bait used by the pest management professional have become unavailable to the retail market. For this reason you may be best served contacting a local professional.
Remember, Sanitation and maintenance!! This may not kill the rats but when they are no longer comfortable they will have a tendency to move to a more suitable location. Sorry neighbor.
It can be somewhat difficult to put the Home Range into a defined set of variables. The reason for this is these furry critters are very adept at survival; the sheer desire to survive allows them to live within the confines of a pallet of sustainable product (9 sqft), or they may be forced to travel -yet distances don’t often exceed 50 feet from their home base.
Most foraging will be from dusk to dawn with the heaviest feeding at dusk and again right before dawn. If living within a building that has light they may become present during daylight hours when all is quiet. Mice are opportunistic feeders; they have a tendency to eat cereals & grains.
When we get to the actual working portion of a rodent problem unfortunately too many clients do not care for the advice. Why? Well a large portion of a problem comes from things such as clutter, debris and sanitation. Too many times I have seen these problems in such a quantities that no matter the number of traps or the amount of bait, we would not be able to get it under control without a cleanup. I don’t remember the last time I found an infestation that was purposely caused. It happens a day at a time, all of the sudden we come to the realization that our surroundings have become overwhelming.
Think of this, removing all the possible harborage will not only spruce up the property but will give the rodents less comfortable surroundings. When mice become stressed not only will they produce fewer offspring; they have tendencies to do such things as eat their own young. Awful you might think, I agree. Let’s just look at it this way, we tidied up the place and they’ve begun our rodent control program for us. Now it may be possible that our products will be able to finish the job.
Below are a few
I have been to locations where bait was ineffective and the client was then unhappy with my service. Keep this in mind- the most effective baiting program will be one that utilizes not only the bait but quite possibly all the tools mentioned above. Sanitation measures are a valuable piece of this process. We wonder why the rodent doesn’t take the bait. Maybe they’ve the keys to the castle and they visit your pantry. Did you ever notice how something you don’t really care for becomes much more desirable when it’s the only option? Let’s reduce their options!
Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus): This rat is also known as the brown rat, common rat, house rat, barn rat, sewer rat, gray rat & wharf rat.
The Norway rat is an opportunistic omnivore, feeding on people’s foods and wastes or utilizing the natural foods that are available.
Some mature adults in established colonies may exhibit neophobic behavior and avoid traps, new bait containers and quite possibly new food sources that suddenly appear.
Information Credit: A practical guide for pest management professionals
Robert M. Corrigan
Home range of an established Norway rat in urban areas is 25 – 100 feet from its nest. But the specific environment dictates the home range of most rodent families. Rats living close to easily accessible food tend to have shorter home ranges. Conversely, they will travel several hundred feet each night if necessary to acquire essential resources.
Radio telemetry studies have demonstrated rats liberated in areas foreign to them were recaptured 4 miles from the point of release. These types of studies explain how likely it is for the Norway rat to follow various urban pathways for considerable distances and establish new infestations in previously uninfested neighborhoods.
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