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An evaluation of landscape features influecing rodent control by urban residents in California
Citation:
MORZILLO, A. T., S. D. Riley, AND B. Cypher. An evaluation of landscape features influecing rodent control by urban residents in California. Presented at US Chapter, International Association for Landscape Ecology annual symposium, Snowbird, UT, April 12 - 16, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
As urban areas expand, humans can affect local ecological communities drastically.
Description:
As urban areas expand, humans can affect local ecological communities drastically. Perception of local wildlife as “pests” may result in residents purposefully eliminating native wildlife species (e.g., gopher). Animal control efforts also may focus on exotic species that are relics of the urbanization process itself (e.g., black or Norway rats, house mice). Regardless, animal control practices inadvertently may affect non-target species and impact native species populations. Our objective was to evaluate urban rodent control practices in two locations in California. Southwestern Bakersfield consisted of high- and medium-density development and is home to an urban population of the endangered San Joaquin kit fox. In contrast, southeastern Ventura County (including small portions of western Los Angeles County; hereafter VLAC) contained low-and medium-density development interspersed with natural areas and is home to several large carnivores including bobcats, coyotes, and cougars. We collected rodent control information, including target species and methods used, from more than 2,000 residents collectively across both locations. In Bakersfield, there were no obvious differences in rodent control between areas of varying development density. In contrast, rodent control was more concentrated in relatively higher-density areas of VLAC. Rats and mice were the most commonly targeted species in both locations, but controlling for squirrels and gophers was more prominent in VLAC. These results suggest that landscape features, such as proximity to open space, may be a factor that influences individual resident decisions regarding rodent control. We currently are completing more detailed assessments of relationships between rodent control methods, target species, and nearby landscape features (e.g., natural areas, golf courses).