Pheasant and quail populations continue to drop in many regions of the U.S. Naturally, one major factor is the loss of wildlife habitat due to commercial and residential development. Another reason suggested by wildlife biologists is the use of pesticides on agricultural land.

1. Pheasant and quail populations continue to
drop in many regions of the U.S. Naturally, one
major factor is the loss of wildlife habitat due
to commercial and residential development.
For more nature habitat information
Visit these helpful websites: Another reason suggested by wildlife biologists
is the use of pesticides on agricultural land.
A Plant's Home
A Bird's Home
A Homesteader's Home
How to Manage
Pesticides to Minimize
Harm to Wildlife
U nfortunately, if you use
pesticides, wildlife can
used extensively. They lower
the survival rate of chicks,
become sick and die. A recent destroy cover plus reduce
study in North Carolina insect and plant foods.
showed that more than 30
percent of the quail tested According to wildlife
were made sick by one aerial specialists, reducing pesticide
application of insecticide. use is one of the best ways to
protect fish and wildlife
Insecticides can make the resources. Using sound
birds neglect their young, cultural practices reduces
abandon their nests and pest problems and, therefore,
become more susceptible to results in lower pesticide use.
predators or disease.
Cultural practices that
An indirect effect is that decrease the need for
herbicides or insecticides can pesticides include rotating
reduce the food and cover crops, selecting resistant
that wildlife needs to survive. varieties whenever possible,
Usually game bird populations planting and harvesting at the
decrease when pesticides are proper time, and using
© WindStar Wildlife Institute Page 1 A Plant's Home

2. integrated pest management hunters and discovered that quickly as possible after
(IPM) techniques. 60 percent had insecticides application.
in their bodies.
IPM is a farming approach
that employs alternative Exposure to the Herbicides
methods of pest control, insecticides can disrupt an Many herbicides are only
rather than relying solely on animal's nervous system. If slightly toxic to wildlife, but
agricultural chemicals. With exposure is great enough, they can damage their
IPM, pesticides are used only sickness and death occur. habitats. Wildlife need food
when the cost of applying a The nervous system may not and cover to survive. When
pesticide is outweighed by the return to normal for four wildlife habitats are reduced
cost of pest damage to the weeks following exposure and on a farm, there is a
crop. The "threshold" must be the effects can be additive, tremendous effect on the
reached before chemicals are if exposed more than once. wildlife populations there.
justified.
Populations of wildlife
Nematicides decrease when herbicides or
Insecticides and Fungicides mowing are used to maintain
Many organophosphate and Many fumigants, granules, "clean" fencerows, ditch
carbamate insecticides are and liquid formulations are banks and field borders. These
highly toxic to wildlife when highly toxic to wildlife and strip areas provide wildlife
they inhale the vapor or when can cause death, while valuable cover for nesting,
insecticides make contact with others, especially fumigants, raising young, and escaping
their skin or eyes. are safer. from predators. Consider
leaving these areas alone.
In Virginia, researchers tested Granules should be fully
quail that had been killed by incorporated into the soil as Don't use herbicides or mow
unless absolutely necessary
to control noxious weeds.
GUIDELINES ON REDUCING IMPACT ON WILDLIFE And, if you mow, only mow
during early spring and on one
s Read and follow the instructions on the pesticide label side of a ditch bank or
fencerow each year.
s Incorporate Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices
s Never wash equipment or containers near ponds or
streams WindStar Wildlife Institute is a
national, non-profit, conservation
organization whose mission is to help
s Use the pesticide least toxic to wildlife individuals and families establish or
improve the wildlife habitat on their
s Avoid spraying over ponds or drainage ditches properties.
s Do not use herbicides or insecticides on field borders For more information or for the name
of a Master Wildlife Habitat
Naturalist in your area, please
s Minimize drift by using low-pressure sprays and large contact:
droplet nozzles
WindStar Wildlife Institute
s Fully incorporate pesticide granules, especially spilled
granules E-mail: wildlife@windstar.org
http://www.windstar.org
© WindStar Wildlife Institute Page 2 A Plant's Home