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Rodent Control On Turf Runways

Geico266

Well Known Member
Besides an AR-15 & C4 for controlling burrowing rodents in turf runways there is a good permentant solution that is a tad less noisey. We were hanger flying this weekend and the subject came up. One farmer / pilot said he controls pocket gophers in the edges of his corn fields by putting "Poisioned Milo" in each hole. It is an over the counter product (from Pakistain) that contains strychnine. It is commercially available at a most larger seed companies. It should not be broadcast as it will kill anything that eats it, birds, etc., but a a 1/2 dozen guys can cover a landing strip in an hour or less. Sure beats a possible flipover.

Just an idea I heard that I thought I'd pass along. Any other ideas that will not involve ATF, FBI, CIA or EPA?

http://www.pestcontrol-products.com/rodent/gophers.htm
 
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I'm thinking a big tomcat (feline not an F14) might be pretty happy at an airport taking care of critters digging up the runway. This assumes there are no coyotes around to feed on the cat.:eek:

My 18 year old shop cat took down a 15+ pound hare, dragged it 100 yards into the shop and consumed half of it and has dispatched hundreds of mice, dozens of gophers and a few birds in his distinguished career as the pest control specialist around here.

He's way past his prime now with a paralysed front leg, a thyroid condition and being mostly deaf but just last summer a curious gopher received a licking as he scurried into the shop. Protecting the RV10, Freeway chased him around the shop on his 3 good legs, pinned him with his body and started chomping on his neck. Fortunately for the gopher, Freeway is missing quite a number of teeth as well so he could only claim one damaged in this case as it struggled free and hobbled outta here.

Freeway was abandoned in the Mojave desert circa 1990 and found his way up here... but that is another story.

Mice, gophers, birds and rabbits are all generally bad for airplanes- but good for cats.:)
 
I avoid poisons due to the possibility of killing dogs, cats, hawks, etc. I will stick to the gopher traps that work very well.
 
The poison can be put directly in the burrow via the entrance or a tool you can make or buy so there is minimal "collateral damage". Most of the pocket gophers spend 99% of their lives underground, BUT you are correct, there is always a chance of accidental poisoning if the dying vermin make it to the surface and are consumed by another animal. Hopefully, it would not be a lethal dose?
 
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My 18 year old shop cat took down a 15+ pound hare, dragged it 100 yards into the shop and consumed half of it and has dispatched hundreds of mice, dozens of gophers and a few birds in his distinguished career as the pest control specialist around here.

Ross, you have been very fortunate to have such a faithful and effective predator in your fleet! Sounds like it may be time to bring in an apprentice so Freeway can pass on his considerable skills while there is ample opportunity.

It is interesting to note how difficult it is to find better pest deterents than Mother Nature herself. :)
 
Brad, having the tunnels cave in is a good thing. I injured my ankle stepping into a hidden tunnel. And they can't be good for planes. At least if they cave in you can fill the depression with dirt.

My luck I would be standing over a large pocket underground when it went off and become a casualty.

But it does look neat. Maybe we should buy one and pass it around for people to exterminate these pests.
 
True, didn't think about the caves being close enough to the surface an aircraft would roll over one and it would cave in anyway...

This is what I need at my home runway... Tunneling rodents everywhere! I'll have to drive the runway occasionally just to see where the dang holes are. I'd think this would also be a great college business, too, being able to haul the equipment with the truck & keep it locked up somewhere. Maybe some extra RV $$$? Rent the unit out, too?? :rolleyes:
 
A local rodent control guy urges folks to use something other than strychnine. Says it is a horrible, cruel way to die.

As I recall, the Rodenator costs about $800. There are other brands of devices that do the same thing. All you need is a small gas welding setup (mix to get a neutral flame, put the flame out & stick it in the hole) and a way to remotely ignite it. Sounds like a lot more fun than dropping poison in holes.
 
A 22 works for me at my strip, not only fun, but keeps your marksmanship skills polished too. I try for the gopher when only its head is sticking out of the hole then Bamn. Its nice to live out in the country to be able to do this, I probably would not advise this method if you live at an airpark or in the bigger cities :D
 
I have a propane / oxygen torch that would inject in the tunnel, but what would be a safe way to ignite?

I prefer to keep the ten toes and fingers God gave me.

Todd
 
A 22 works for me at my strip, not only fun, but keeps your marksmanship skills polished too. I try for the gopher when only its head is sticking out of the hole then Bamn. Its nice to live out in the country to be able to do this, I probably would not advise this method if you live at an airpark or in the bigger cities :D
Good use for a silenced Ruger 10/22.

TODR
 
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