In the last decade, Richardson’s ground squirrel populations have reached epidemic levels in western Canada. A review of socio-economic conditions and field research findings suggests that such outbreaks are the result of many factors working synergistically on ground squirrel population dynamics and dispersal: 1) drought conditions, 2) poor grassland management, 3) low cattle prices due to bovine spongiform encephalopathy, 4) inefficient rodenticides, 5) loss of predators, and 6) loss of family-size operations to large-scale landowners. In the light of recent outbreaks experienced in western Canada, we now know that the control of Richardson’s ground squirrel populations requires a long-term management program, integrating sustainable grassland management techniques with an effective conservation of mammalian and avian predators, and the sensible use of effective rodenticides. The success of such a multi-faceted management program will depend on the establishment of an effective education program, the institution of incentive programs for a better management of grassland ecosystems, the implementation and enforcement of rules to better monitor the production and distribution of effective poisons, and minimizing excessive use by producers.

The northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) is considered a major pest in haylands, particularly alfalfa, and surrounding crops and shelterbelts of western Canada. Although poison baits are often used with the objective to quickly reduce pocket gopher populations over large areas, recent investigations in western Canada have demonstrated that they were ineffective in reducing and controlling pocket gopher populations in haylands. This paper identifies the elements of an effective pocket gopher control program and demonstrates that, with a proper strategy to lay out killing traps in spring to remove breeders-of-the-year, and to intercept invading pocket gophers, trapping is the most effective method to control northern pocket gophers. This paper also describes an effective trapping program and identifies research needs to increase capture efficiency.

Strychnine has recently been made available in Canada under an emergency registration program for the control of Richardson’s ground squirrels. From 2007 to 2009, we tested the control efficacy of this poison using >1-year-old and newly produced strychnine on hulless oats, canary seed, and alfalfa pellets. Newly produced 2% liquid strychnine, mixed with hulless oats to formulate 0.4% strychnine freshly mixed baits, controlled ≥70% of adult and juvenile ground squirrels in spring and summer. Other types of strychnine baits were not as reliable from one season to the other. At 0.2% concentration, strychnine-treated oats were relatively inefficient. When >1 year old, the control efficacy of strychnine baits dropped significantly. Independent of the age of the product, strychnine killed non-target animals. This paper recommends a series of measures to ensure quality control and greater selectivity.