Pest Control

Rats

Being a municipality that borders another province, the M.D. of Bonnyville participates in the Alberta Rat Control Program that is intended to prevent the introduction and establishment of Norway Rats and rabies disease. Farm inspections are carried out at all farm sites and acreages within the first two ranges along the Saskatchewan border to detect and control any rat infestations that may occur as rats attempt to cross over into Alberta. Bait is provided to residents living in those areas to assist in preventing the establishment of rats on their property. With respect to rabies control, any suspect animal may be destroyed and the head submitted to Health Canada for diagnosis of the disease. If a positive case is confirmed, a general depopulation of skunks may be conducted in the area where the confirmed case originated.

Beavers

The M.D. of Bonnyville has available the services of a qualified blaster to remove beaver dams that cause flooding of farmland and/or property. Dams on fish bearing streams and rivers cannot be removed by blasting during the period from April 16 to July 1 according to federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans regulations. All cost associated with the removal of the beaver dams will be invoiced to the landowner requesting the service after completion of the blasting.

Grasshoppers

The M.D.’s grasshopper control program is put into place only in years of determined need. The program consists of M.D.-funded roadside ditch pesticide spraying in conjunction with landowner-funded crop spraying.

Coyotes

In the event that coyote populations are threatening the well-being of domestic livestock, the M.D. of Bonnyville can provide assistance in protecting the livestock. Please consult with the Agricultural Fieldman and/or the Assistant Agricultural Fieldman for more information.

Gophers

The M.D.’s Agricultural Services Department, as a certified government agent, sells strychnine bait products to farmers for the control of Richardson’s Ground Squirrels (gophers). The program runs in the spring, when population control methods are most effective. Please check back here in the spring for further information and a downloadable Strychnine Purchase Form.