DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Title

A COMPARISON OF SELECTED RODENTICIDES FOR THE CONTROL OF THE COMMON VALLEY POCKET GOPHER (Thomomys bottae)

Authors

Barry R. Tickes, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Service, Yuma, Arizona 85364
Lloyd K. Cheathem, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Phoenix, Arizona 85017
John L. Stair, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Service, Phoenix, Arizona 85021

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

February 1982

The common valley pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae) has become a serious agricultural pest in certain regions of the Lower Colorado River Basin. The mechanical burrow-builder is the most economical and effective method of controlling this pest although many growers and some researchers have reported less-than-satisfactory results when using this technique with currently available rodenticides. Six formulations of three toxicants including strychnine, zinc phosphide and diphacinone were applied with the burrow-builder to assess their efficacy. Results indicated that negligible control is achieved with 0.35 and 0.5% strychnine although these are the most commonly used formulations in Arizona. Diphacinone also produced negligible control. Zinc phosphide was clearly the most effective of the compounds tested with 45% control achieved. More work with this compound is warranted.