We've got grey squirrel feral around the zoo here in Perth - they haven't spread far - possibly the bird seed in the aviaries is all that's keeping them going.
I mean this in the most humane, animal-friendly way possible:
KILL THEM ALL.
Almost as bad as Norway Rats. Fortunately they don't burrow under buildings, but they do everything else rats do. I don't control them at my zoo since they are native, and the hawks seem to do a fair job, but they can be a problem even here. Good luck!
(They will take second-gen rodenticide baits, but it takes a larger dose to kill them. They readily go into traps, however--constantly spoiling my efforts to catch other pests.)
They're cute and all, but so are rats. And starlings. Heck I even like cockroaches! But if I had my job in Australia I'd make eliminating squirrels a top priority.
How were your pest issues at Lubee? Mice and roaches mostly?
erg.. fucking starlings. Not so many over here in Perth - indeed, i don't think I've ever seen one - but they were one of many introduced species over east - they, pigeons, indian mynahs, sparrows and some indian dove were more common than any native species put together.
I imagine the zoo is doing their best to eradicate them - we're serious about ferals species over here
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2010-05-28 10:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-28 11:17 am (UTC)KILL THEM ALL.
Almost as bad as Norway Rats. Fortunately they don't burrow under buildings, but they do everything else rats do. I don't control them at my zoo since they are native, and the hawks seem to do a fair job, but they can be a problem even here. Good luck!
(They will take second-gen rodenticide baits, but it takes a larger dose to kill them. They readily go into traps, however--constantly spoiling my efforts to catch other pests.)
no subject
Date: 2010-05-28 01:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-28 03:44 pm (UTC)How were your pest issues at Lubee? Mice and roaches mostly?
no subject
Date: 2010-05-29 01:08 pm (UTC)I imagine the zoo is doing their best to eradicate them - we're serious about ferals species over here