Evaluation of Flight Control® to reduce blackbird damage to newly planted rice in Louisiana

Authors

John L. Cummings, National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
Patricia A. Pochop, National Wildlife Research Center
Richard M. Engeman, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife ServicesFollow
James E. Davis Jr., National Wildlife Research Center
Thomas M. Primus, National Wildlife Research Center

Date of this Version

July 2002

Comments

Published in International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation.

Abstract

Blackbirds cause extensive damage to newly planted and ripening rice. To date there is not a registered bird repellent for reducing this damage. We evaluated Flight Control®, a 50% anthraquinone product, as a potential repellent to blackbirds in cage and field tests in Louisiana. In one- and no-choice cage tests, brown-headed cowbird and red-winged blackbird consumption of 2%) Flight control® treated rice seed was significantly reduced. In a subsequent field test. 2% Flight control® was effective in reducing blackbird damage (P = 0.001 ) to newly planted rice seed. Chemical residues at 7 days post-planting averaged 0.66% anthraquinone. Further field testing is warranted.