Yeary, Michael L.

English

Texas A&M University

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L-1903WILDLIFE
DA· AGECONTROL
CONTROLLING PRAIRIE DOG DAMAGE
Michael L. Yeary*
The black-tailed praine dog (Cynomys
ludovicianus) is a large ground squirrel found
on the Great Plains of the United States. Adults
are approximately 10 inches long, weigh 2 to 3
pounds, are a brownish-yellow color and have a
black-tipped tail. They are very vocal animals,
and their constant "barking" at intruders has
resulted in the name "prairie dog."
Large prairie dog colonies are called
"towns." These animals are very sociable, and
towns may cover large tracts of land. About
1900, a town located on the Texas High Plains
occupied an area 100 miles wide by 250 miles
long and contained 400 million prairie dogs.
These diurnal animals live in burrows that
descend 3 to 14 feet into a lateral tunnel that
may reach a length of 100 feet. A burrow may
have more than one entrance, but this is not
common. Mounds 6 to 8 inches in height usually
surround the burrow openings.
Prairie dogs feed on various forms of vegeta-
tion. They commonly keep all vegetation nib-
bled to the ground near their burrow. This al-
lows them to keep a constant watch for preda-
tors. Hawks, badgers, foxes and coyotes are the
most common predators of prairie dogs.
Breeding takes place during February and
March with a litter of four or five young being
born a month later. Young prairie dogs are full
grown at 6 months. Their average life span is 6
to 8 years. Sexual maturity is reached in 1 year
for females and 2 years for males.
·Wildlife damage control specialist
DAMAGE
Prairie dogs cause much agricultural dam-
age. Range conditions can be altered drastical-
ly by prairie dog activities. Thirty-two prairie
dogs can consume as much food per day as one
cow. Grazing capacity of livestock is reduced,
and the numerous burrows are a hazard to live-
stock. Prairie dogs also cause damage to wheat,
cotton and other crops. Although constant culti-
vation keeps the prairie dogs from living in the
fields, it is common for towns to border these
areas. Thus, prairie dogs will be active in the
fields and cause damage by cutting down the
crops. They often do not consume vegetation
which they cut.
Prairie dogs also may be considered a health
hazard. They serve as a source for plague, the
disease spread by fleas which live on prairie
dogs.
CONTROL METHODS
Three control measures are available, in-
cluding 2 percent zinc phosphide oats, alumi-
num phosphide tablets and strychnine-treated
oats. The 2 percent zinc phosphide oats and
aluminum phosphide tablets are the recom-
mended rodenticides. Zinc phosphide oats is
most effective after the first frost in the fall
because it increases the acceptance of grain
bait by prairie dogs. Use of zinc phosphide re-
quires prebaiting with regular oats, at least
once, and preferably twice. To prebait, place a
teaspoon of oats on the bare ground near each
burrow at 2-day intervals. Bait only after the
prebait has been consumed. Do not put bait out
Texas Rodent and Predatory Animal Control Service, P.O. Box 9037, San Antonio, Texas 78204
Prairie dog damage is evident in this wheat field.
if there is a chance of precipitation or if the
weather is extremely cold. If baiting is done in
this manner, a kill of more than 90 percent can
be achieved. At the present time, zinc phos-
phide can be applied from July I to January 31
only.
Aluminum phosphide tablets are small
marble-sized tablets which release a phosphine
gas when exposed to moisture in the air. Place
two tablets in each burrow. Then cover the en-
trance to the burrow with soil. The soil seal is
important to keep the gas within the burrow
system. Kills of more than 90 percent can be
achieved with aluminum phosphide tablets.
A private applicator's license is necessary to
purchase 2 percent zinc phosphide oats and
aluminum phosphide tablets. The license can
be obtained from the Texas Department of Agri-
culture.
For further information contact the local of-
fice of the Texas Rodent and Predatory Animal
Control Service.
The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial
products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is
intended and no endorsement by the Cooperative Animal Damage Control Program is
implied.
Programs conducted by the Texas Rodent and Predatory Animal Control Service serve people of all ages regardless of
socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, handicap or national origin.
The Texas Rodent and Predatory Animal Control Service is a cooperative program involving the Texas Agricultural Extension
Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Texas Animal Damage Control Association.
lOM-6-82


Controlling Prairie Dog Damage.

https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/bitstream/1969.1/172966/2/1903/Leaf1903.pdf

Controlling Prairie Dog Damage.

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