Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

Acrolein (Magnacide® H) is currently registered in California as an aquatic herbicide. Field tests were conducted to evaluate its efficacy as a ground squirrel burrow fumigant. Treatments consisted of applying either 20 cc or 40 cc of acrolein (92%) per burrow opening with a specially constructed probe connected to a hose which ran to a cylinder mounted on a pickup truck. The burrow opening was plugged at the time of the application. Burrows in the control plot were plugged in the same manner. Dig-outs and open burrows overlooked during the initial application were re-treated the following day. Both rates of acrolein showed a substantial reduction in the ground squirrel population, in excess of 90%, when adjusted for changes in the population in the control plot. The results appear very encouraging with further field testing warranted.