Black-tailed prairie dogs exist in dense colonies and create
30 to 50 6-inch burrows and associated mounds per acre.
Bean-sized cylindrical droppings at margin of mounds.
Grasses and broad-leaved plants clipped at one-inch height
or clipped and left on
Claw marks may be seen on snow.
Damage
Short- and long-term damage to grasslands via eating and digging; occasional damage to adjacent fields of growing
alfalfa, corn, sugar beet and other croplands.
Tree Damage Occasional bark stripping occurs on shrubs within prairie dog colonies.
Structural Damage: occasional breach of canals, dikes and earthen dams via digging
Grassland management. Proper grazing use--rotate livestock through pasture systems, avoid season-long grazing but graze early spring, place salt and water for livestock away from prairie dog towns; exclude livestock for several seasons post control of prairie dogs.
No evidence that fencing works.
Repellents
Some minor effects have been shown by placing poles and other perch sites for large hawks and barrier fences, hay bales and other obstacles for that prey upon prairie dogs.
Trapping
Cage traps, raccoon size can be effective but have limited usefulness for large colonies.
Body-gripping traps or footholds can be more efficient than cage traps, provided they are legal to use in your area.
Shooting
Particularly during breeding season through pup raising (January through June).
Toxicants/Fumigants
Use poison grain baits followed by fumigants; prairie dogs require fresh, common baits, such as grains first to habituate them to take the toxic bait.
Fumigants
as pellets or tablets Description: Commonly use Aluminum phosphide as an active ingredient. Read label to see which burrowing rodents can be
controlled. Photo Credits: Dallas Virchow
Gas
Cartridges used for burrowing rodents Description: Follow all safety directions. Use a screwdriver
to punch end and stir contents. Insert and light fuse. Seal to
contain gases. Photo Credits: Used with permission from Univ. of CA.
Statewide IPM Project, W.P. Gorenzel, photographer
Lighting
the gas cartridge Description: Follow all safety directions. Wooden match sticks or butane lighters work better in winds. Use flexible plastic tube to fully insert cartridge deep into burrows. Photo Credits: Used with permission from Univ. of CA. Statewide IPM Project, W.P. Gorenzel, photographer
Sealing
the burrow Description: Seal burrow entrances to keep any smoke (gases) from escaping. Best used with high soil moisture and moderate
temperatures. Photo Credits: Used with permission from Univ. of CA. Statewide IPM Project, W.P. Gorenzel, photographer
Diseases-Safety
Health Hazard Local colonies of prairie dogs readily succumb to bubonic plague.
Safety Hazard Black widow spiders and rattlesnakes are associated with colonies and burrows.
Horse and riders and breeding livestock may suffer injury when stepping into burrows.
Fumigants
as pellets or tablets
Gas
Cartridges used for burrowing rodents
Lighting
the gas cartridge
Sealing
the burrow