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Capsicum-laden soils decrease contact time by northern pocket gophers.

R T Sterner1, K A Hollenbeck, S A Shumake

  • 1U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO 80521-2154, USA. ray.t.sterner@usda.gov

Physiology & Behavior
|September 25, 1999
PubMed
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Capsicum-oleoresin soil mixtures effectively deter northern pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides) by reducing soil contact. This study shows a feasible method for managing rodent damage using natural irritants.

Area of Science:

  • Wildlife Management
  • Pest Control
  • Behavioral Ecology

Background:

  • Fossorial rodents, such as northern pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides), cause significant damage to lawns, agricultural crops, and water impoundments.
  • Effective and environmentally conscious methods for managing rodent populations are crucial for mitigating these damages.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of capsicum-oleoresin soil mixtures as a deterrent for northern pocket gophers.
  • To assess the impact of varying concentrations of capsicum-oleoresin on gopher behaviors, including soil contact, digging, and grooming.

Main Methods:

  • A two-choice, parametric study design was employed.
  • Northern pocket gophers were exposed to soil mixtures containing 0.00% (placebo), 0.75%, 1.50%, and 2.25% capsicum-oleoresin over three alternate-day sessions.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Behaviors such as soil contact, soil digging, and pelage grooming were systematically recorded and analyzed.

    • Main Results:

    • Exposure to capsicum-oleoresin soil mixtures at concentrations of 1.50% and above significantly reduced mean soil contact time by 46% compared to placebo.
    • Gophers exhibited increased grooming in the initial exposure, but this decreased over trials, attributed to reduced soil contact rather than habituation.
    • Soil-digging behaviors were minimally affected by the presence of capsicum-oleoresin.

    Conclusions:

    • Capsicum-oleoresin soil mixtures are a feasible and effective repellent for deterring northern pocket gophers from inhabiting treated areas.
    • The findings suggest that incorporating natural chemical irritants into soil can be a practical strategy for managing gopher-related damages.