Alberta research and U.S. commercialization suggest soil-dwelling nematodes could become a practical option for Prairie pest control.
Tag Archives pest control
Using nematodes to control crop pests
Alberta research and U.S. commercialization suggest soil-dwelling nematodes could become a practical option for Prairie pest control
What insect pests are bugging your forage crops?
Grasshoppers, cutworms and armyworms can cause major damage if left unchecked. Learn how to scout and manage them
Manitoba Agriculture entomologist John Gavloski highlights several key insect pests that can affect forage crop production and shares strategies for managing them.
New self-resetting rodent kill trap launched
U.S.-based Automatic Trap Co. is now offering the Goodnature A24 “humane” rodent trap in Canada. It was developed by New Zealand-based Goodnature as a multi-species kill trap, which uses toxin-free lures to target pests like rats and mice. The company says it is ideal for outdoor use around farmyards and is safe around humans and […] Read more
The ground squirrel survey says…
Saskatchewan has surveyed farmers to get a new read on Richardson’s ground squirrel populations and on-farm damage
Richardson’s ground squirrel damage has frustrated Saskatchewan farmers for years. Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Agriculture recently conducted a survey of farmers to better understand where Richardson’s ground squirrels are present, the methods producers use to deal with them, and which approaches are most effective. The online survey was conducted this past December and January. A total […] Read more
VIDEO: Making Prairies less scary for bat habitat
Bats can feast on field pests from suitable haunts
Having a healthy bat population is not going to be a straight substitute for a strong integrated pest management system on the farm, but as University of Winnipeg bat expert Dr. Craig Willis explains, the potential benefits of having them around can’t be overlooked.
Prairie pest offers ‘a tough battle’
Strychnine may no longer be an option for swelling ground squirrel populations, but other effective tactics are available
Richardson’s ground squirrels, which are sometimes referred to as gophers, can cause major problems for farmers and ranchers. In high enough numbers, they can decimate crops and forages and pockmark pasture land, making it hazardous for livestock. Persistent drought conditions have contributed to high ground squirrel populations in some parts of the Prairies in recent […] Read more
‘Perfect storm’ for grasshoppers
The conditions are right for pest-type grasshoppers in Saskatchewan. Consider both insecticides and cultural controls
A provincial insect management specialist says grasshoppers could pose a significant challenge for farmers in Saskatchewan this season. During a June 14 webinar offering advice on managing grasshopper populations, James Tansey of Saskatchewan Agriculture said, “we’ve got a bit of a perfect storm for grasshoppers this year.” According to Tansey, warm and dry conditions in […] Read more
How to manage without lambda-cyhalothrin in 2023
Alternatives to control most insect pests exist but attention to label recommendations, product rates and timing is important
As of mid-February, if western Canadian farmers want to control common crop insect pests such as grasshoppers and flea beetles in 2023, they should plan to do it without the use of popular lambda-cyhalothrin products such as Matador and Silencer. Those products and others based on the lambda-cy active ingredient aren’t banned, but Health Canada’s […] Read more
Don’t let pea aphids suck the yield out of your plants
Assess your risk, scout your crop, cultivate beneficial insects and watch crop timing
The pea aphid may not look all that terrifying, but the tiny sap-sucking pest is capable of sending shivers down the spines of even the hardiest pulse farmers in some parts of the Prairies. Pea aphids are so named because of their attraction to field pea plants but virtually any pulse crop, including lentils, faba […] Read more
Rodent poisons allowed on B.C. farms during temporary ban
British Columbia has temporarily banned a stronger class of rodent poisons pending a review of their effects on non-target wildlife, but farm uses will be exempt. The province on July 21 announced an 18-month prohibition on sales and use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs). The second-generation products are “more powerful” than the previous generation and […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
