The event will be at the Williamson County Annex Building, 100 Wilco Way, Room 108. Program demonstrations will be held on the grounds adjacent to the meeting room.
Cost is $20 and includes snacks and refreshments. To register or for more information, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Williamson County at 512-943-3300.
The program is open to all and is a collaboration of AgriLife Extension, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA-APHIS, Wildlife Services, and Oakley Family Apiaries.
One Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education unit in integrated pest management is offered.
“Central Texas is blessed by warmer weather than most of the U.S., which has encouraged many new visitors and new residents to the area,” said Gary Pastushok, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Williamson County. “The rapid influx of people and associated development has the downside of reducing native wildlife habitat availability.”
Habitat loss has led to more frequent human-wildlife encounters, he said, and this first Nuisance Wildlife Management Program is an opportunity to learn about the biology of many native and introduced wildlife species, and how to manage nuisance animal encounters.
For additional information, contact Pastushok at gary.pastushok@ag.tamu.edu.
Central Texas concerns addressed
“Experts will be presenting information on many of our wildlife species of concern to landowners,” Pastushok said. “Ideally, our aim should be to safely co-exist with wildlife species, to minimize serious human encounters, and reduce potentially destructive wildlife behavior.”
He said bee swarming behavior and wasp issues are the No. 1 issue in Williamson County, based upon the number of calls received at the AgriLife Extension office.
Recently, coyote and pet encounters have also become more frequent in the county, Pastushok said. Coyotes are naturally territorial and become especially bold when they observe other canines in the area, even when held on a leash.
“We will discuss how to avoid these serious pet/coyote encounters,” Pastushok said. “Our experts will also explain the hive extrication process and cover the local nuisance wildlife species residents need to be aware of.”
Program focus, expert speakers and demonstrations
The program will focus on:
- Biology and the significance of nuisance animals, reptiles and insects of Central Texas.
- Integrated pest management techniques.
- Nuisance animal encounters and safety considerations.
- Technical assistance available for pest extrications.
- Laws and regulations as they apply to nuisance animals.
Program speakers, topics and demonstrations will include:
- Linda Tschirhart-Hejl, USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services district supervisor, Bryan-College Station, will discuss how to manage disruptive populations of mammals, birds and reptile species residing in Central Texas. Discussions will include utilizing a combination of techniques involving biological, legal, socio-political, financial and technical considerations.
- Cole May, Williamson County trapper, will discuss the day-to-day activities of being the county trapper. May actively assists resident landowners with issues related to interactions between people, pets and livestock and nuisance wildlife. He will demonstrate some of the most effective trap and capture management techniques.
- Randy Oakley, CEO of Oakley Family Apiaries, Elm Mott, will speak on nuisance bees. Oakley has been a beekeeper for over 40 years and is an expert on bee swarming behavior and the processes involved to extricate nuisance bee populations in the Round Rock to Waco area.
