The outlook for vertebrate pest control

Because of the increased concern for the environment and the public's positive action toward preservation of all forms of plant and animal life, future control methods for pest animals will require a greater degree of specificity than in the past. Vertebrate pest control does not face a very promising future unless the independent and cooperative effort of both industry and government is expanded. The time has passed when one could use a chemical simply because it was a good poison or repellent. Now, especially when food or feed crops are involved, it is necessary to know a lot more about a chemical than just its effect on the target species. Our knowledge now must include: 1) chemical and physical properties, including chemical structure, 2) micro-analytical methods for detecting or measuring the chemical, 3) degradation rates and resultant by-products, 4) oral and dermal toxicity (acute and chronic) to target and non-target animals, 5) efficacy as toxicant or repellent, 6) phytotoxicity, 7) pharmacology, and 8) secondary hazards. At present there is need for more chemists and pharmacologists in the field of vertebrate pest control research. Due to the comparatively small market for chemicals used in vertebrate pest control, most chemical companies are reluctant to spend the large sums necessary for their development. Also, a potential source of personnel for increasing this type of research is available at many state universities and experiment stations. Support from these institutions should be encouraged