Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center for

 

Title

PLASTIC VISUAL BARRIERS WERE INEFFECTIVE AT REDUCING RECOLONIZATION RATES OF PRAIRIE DOGS

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

April 1995

Two plastic visual barriers were ineffective in controlling expansion of 7 active black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies and recolonization of 7 toxicant-treated sections of colonies. Barriers constructed with Sno-Strap, a 15.2- cm wide band of high-tensile polyethylene plastic, were destroyed by wind action within 3 weeks. Barriers constructed with Tensar® snowfence cost $2.10/m and retained their structural integrity for 3 years with occasional maintenance. Recommendations are provided to increase effectiveness of visual barriers.