Birds, Bees and Bats What do you do when you encounter them Janet A. Hurley, ACE, MPA Extension Program Specialist III - School IPM Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Dallas, TX • Federal Laws and Rules • State Governing Wildlife • Tribal • County Control • Municipal 1900 1931 Lacey Act of 1900 Animal Damage Control • Prohibits interstate and Act of 1931 foreign commerce of fish, • Manages conflict between wildlife and plants that were humans and wildlife Federal sold or taken Regulatory Laws Migratory Bird Treat Act Endangered Species Act of 1918 of 1973 • Illegal to take, hunt, kill, • Provides broad protection for migratory birds, eggs or fish, wildlife, and plants product • www.fws.gov 1918 1973 • Public property owners and managers have a responsibility to provide a safe environment. • A few public health laws may apply to wildlife infestations. • For schools IPM rules play a large role in ensuring safety This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC for staff and students Building Owners and Property Managers • Texas Health and Safety Code • THSC Chapter 826 and Section 169 – Rabies Control Act and Rules • THSC Chapter 341 and 343 • THSC Chapter 81 and Section 97 • TX Parks and Wildlife Code 63 • Chapter 12 – Powers & Duties Concerning Wildlife State Rules for • Chapter 43 – Special Licenses & Permits • APPLICATION FOR PERMIT. (a) A person who has Wildlife and evidence of damage by depredation or threat to public safety may file with the department an Rabies application for a permit to kill the protected wildlife. • Must be in writing • Must have an agreement with Dept. • Must have a written statement from Dept. • Certified by County Commissioner • Chapter 341.011 – Nuisance • Chapter 341.012 – Abatement of Nuisance Title 5 • Chapter 821 – Treatment of Animals • In this subchapter, "animal" includes every Sanitation and living dumb creature. Environmental • Chapter 825 –Predatory Animals • Provides regulations to prosecute if persons Quality tamper with traps and the animals being Health & Safety trapped • Chapter 826 – Rabies Code • Provides for the state or local agencies to quarantine or test animals for rabies Bird Management • Pigeon (rock dove) • English sparrow • Starlings • Imported from Europe • Not protected by migratory bird treaties • English sparrow • Displaces native songbirds • Over 29 diseases and ectoparasites • Principal wild host for encephalitis and WNV • Unsightly nests and droppings • May enter structures • Pigeon • Over 50 diseases and ectoparasites • Unsightly and corrosive droppings • Considered undesirable Importance nuisance • Canadian Geese • Blue Heron Migratory Birds – • Cattle Egret • Yellow-Crowned Night Heron Seek help from TPWD • Snowy Egret • Great Egret What Can You Do? • Bird Spikes • provide a physical barrier that prevents birds from landing on surfaces such as rooftop edges, ledges, and windowsills. • Come in plastic and stainless-steel options—both of which offer constant coverage. • Easy to install, and stop birds from landing and nesting on elevated surface areas • Bird Netting • Great choice for semi-enclosed spaces and large open areas, like gardens or indoor eating areas. • Netting comes in a variety of materials; heavy-duty and lighter options are available. It provides a protective barrier that keeps birds from entering but allows sunlight in and allows for watering greenery. Sound • Ultrasonic bird control devices • Play irritating high and low-pitch frequencies that don’t bother humans. • Over time, the annoying ultrasonic frequencies make an area uninhabitable for pest birds, and they vacate elsewhere. • These low-profile devices can be effective for facilities with high- volume human traffic, because they are silent to most people. • Sonic devices • Broadcast bird alarm calls and terrifying predator calls that alert birds that an area is unsafe. • To humans, these sonic recordings simply blend in with nature. But, to birds, the sounds are extremely frightening. • Similarly to ultrasonic bird control units, these devices condition birds to not return with continued use. Laser bird control units • Work by emitting laser beams with constantly changing patterns and colors. • The blinding lights work, day and night to scare pest birds, while the motion of the beams inhibits acclimation. • Birds remain away from the area and are unharmed. Technology Drones used for bird control • A drone’s threatening physical presence can be combined with sound technology. • Recent versions of bird control drones use sonic devices to play recordings of predator noises and can fly fully autonomously with integrated Google Maps customization. • The combination of sight and sound offers a multi- pronged effect for pest bird control. • Do need a pilot license to use Other Ways • Shock track systems • Good option as a low-profile bird control method. • Nearly invisible shock track strips are installed on places like windowsills or ledges, and gently shock birds upon contact, alerting them not to land in the area. • Shock track systems are humane, as they do not harm pest birds, but keep them off structures. • Liquid taste aversions • Can cover grass, turf, and foliage, these products can be sprayed across a large area, providing an extremely cost-effective solution for pest control. • Treated surfaces deter birds because they make the area taste unpleasant. • Bird gels can be applied to structures and repel birds by creating a sticky, uncomfortable surface that is not suitable for landing. To ensure that plants and other wildlife aren’t affected, non-toxic, biodegradable formulas are preferred. • Visual scares and predator decoys • As pest control methods, they are usually inexpensive and low-maintenance. • Visual deterrents alert pest birds that there is a threat in the area and force them to seek refuge elsewhere. • The most effective stationary scares use reflective or moving parts. Many predator decoys look like extremely realistic owls, hawks, coyotes, falcons, and alligators. Bees - Pollinators This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND Importance of Pollinators • Fruit and seed production needed for the survival of most flowering plants in our environment. • Essential to the production of more than 85 crops. • 1 out of every 3 bites of food can be attributed to pollinators. Tom Butzler, Penn State Extension • Insects are the most common and abundant. Wonderful World of Bees • HONEY BEES, Apis mullifera • Social Insects • Live in colonies of 60 to 120 thousand individual workers, few hundred drones and 1 Queen • Bee Stings • Stinger injected into human is ripped off – death to honeybee – allergic reaction to human (sometimes) • Primary pollinators of 2/3 of food we eat • Managed colonies can overwinter – feral colonies will generally just have a queen and few drones/workers Three banded Italian Honey Bee Identification • ½ inch in length with an orange to yellowish-brown color and black intersegmental bands on the abdomen Black worker bee Honey Bee swarms • New queen takes workers and drones and “absconds” • Commonly 10-20,000 workers • Follow greenways, parks, creek bottoms • Not highly aggressive • Searching for a nesting site 8 to 14 ft high Swarm control • Control/remove swarms to reduce risk of bees: • Stinging residents • Taking up residence in or near building • Control with soapy water • Physical capture/transport • Lure to capture with bait hives • Exposed colonies only! • ¾ to 1 cup liquid dishwashing soap (Palmolive, Dawn) in gallon water • Gently wet outside then inside of swarm with spray wand • Place garbage bag or similar receptacle under colony to catch dying bees Swarm control with soapy water • Physically almost identical to EHB • Sub-species or race of Apis mellifera Africanized Honey bee Differences between AHB EHB • AHB more sensitive to nest disturbance • AHB will pursue intruders further • AHB recruits more workers to defend • AHB stores less honey • AHB more prone to abscond • AHB less choosy about nesting sites • AHB more likely to swarm summer/fall Bee and wasp control • Key is destruction/removal of nest • Trapping is slow and effective only in hands of experts • Know what you are dealing with Vespula maculifrons – Vespula squamosa – eastern yellowjacket southern yellowjacket Yellowjackets are underground nesters Underground nests may be hidden • Locate nest source of honey bees and have beekeeper remove. • For Yellowjackets and wasps will need to kill if they are around humans. • Good sanitation and removal of possible food attractants, if necessary, wash area down • Where treatment needed use one cup of liquid soap per gallon of water sprayed or a soapy foam to treat nest where removal not practical. Control Options Yellowjacket traps • Most attractive to scavenger yellowjacket species • Vespula maculifrons • Vespula squamosa? • Fermenting apple cider • Palliative treatment only Insecticide application • Treat at dusk or dawn when the insects are less likely to be active. • Wear gloves and long sleeves to avoid being stung. • Use dusts or aerosol insecticides injected into nest or nest opening • Pyrethroids to kill the entire nest. Be sure to read the label before use. • When spraying, make sure you stand away from the nest and not directly underneath. Most product sprays up to 22 feet. • Spray with the wind, not against it. • Never attempt to treat nests alone. Use the buddy system or ask someone else to treat it if you’re allergic to stings. Pesticide applicators must reduce risks to bees and other pollinators. • Read the label