Are some 'pest/nuisance species' posts inappropriate for the British Wildlife forums?

[Gatekeeper]

I would like to canvas opinion on a certain type of thread that can be found on WAB. It's the sort where somebody asks a question, along the lines of "how do I remove/what can I do about removing, a so-called pest species from my home/garden?" Some of these threads seem inappropriate on WAB, particularly the British Wildlife forums, and would be more suited on the Rentokil website. I find it especially bizarre when people start responding to the question with suggestions for the destruction/removal of the 'pest'.

For instance, if a person has rats in their house, should it be the remit of Wab to advise on the removal of the rats? I can understand that there may be a need to educate someone who has got the wrong impression about the harm potential of a species, i.e "No, an Ichneumon wasp will not kill you", or "No, spiders are much more interested in flies than biting you", but when somebody goes on to advise on the removal of a species, I think we are in danger of blurring the purpose of this site.

One particular thread that has got me thinking this way is "Sycamore Planted Close to House - Help Please!!"; it's in the 'trees' thread (at the time of writing) and has become primarily concerned with the engineering and legal ramifications of removing a tree. I think it's wholly inappropriate to be in the 'trees' thread along-side questions like "what's this tree species?"

I'd really like to know what people think about this one: Should we have a section for this type of question to be posted in, and posts would be removed to this location if they appeared in an inappropriate thread?, or should they just not be encouraged?

Your views please

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Gatekeeper

For instance, if a person has rats in their house, should it be the remit of Wab to advise on the removal of the rats? I can understand that there may be a need to educate someone who has got the wrong impression about the harm potential of a species, i.e "No, an Ichneumon wasp will not kill you", or "No, spiders are much more interested in flies than biting you", but when somebody goes on to advise on the removal of a species, I think we are in danger of blurring the purpose of this site.

I dont see it as a problem tbh - if someomne wants advice on rats because for example they are attracted by their bird food it is better they get advice here than no advice at all and consequently stop feeding the birds, or worse advice from somewhere that doesnt take wildlife into account and leads to the widespread use of poison ( I can see why some might object to advice on airguns or fenn trapping, but at least these methods dont persist up the food chain)

Originally Posted by Gatekeeper

he particular thread that has got me thinking this way is "Sycamore Planted Close to House - Help Please!!"; it's in the 'trees' thread and has become primarily concerned with the engineering and legal ramifications of removing a tree. I think it's wholly inappropriate to be in the 'trees' thread along side questions like "what's this tree species?"

again i cant really see a problem - the sycamore is defintely a tree , and its better that advice is given here rather than some gunho place that thiinks that every tree is a nuisance. sycomers are regularly removed as part of woofdland managent anyway so its not like someone is asking for advice on killing a protected species

[werdnal]

I too cannot really see a problem with it. Wildlife lovers here may be appalled at the thought of anyone feeling the need to eradicate any living creature, but its a fact of life that it happens. Perhaps we can educate people asking these questions in the error of their ways, and advise them of the best, most ecofriendly and humane way to deal with their problem. To be honest, if they are going to do it, they will do it anyway, regardless of whether they get any replies here or not.

I am a lover of all living creatures, but sady when they do encroach too far into our lives (for instance we have mice, or even possibly rats in our loft at the moment), we have to intervene. Pests are only creatures that live in the wrong place, the same way that weeds are only plants that grow in the wrong place.

I don't think banning or removing posts of the nature will help - often threads take a tangent and turn into a debate about the rights and wrongs of controlling pest species - are you suggesting these are removed too? Maybe a particular section to "house" posts which start out as an original post along these lines would be useful, but its likely moderators will be spending time moving posts, as OP's would not necessarily post in the right place anyway.

[Gatekeeper]

Hi eeyore and werdnal,

Thank you both for taking the time to respond, and also thank you eeyore for also posting your reply in the 'pet hates' thread.

I'm not against hunting, fieldsports, or any sort of pest control, be it in an industrial, agricultural or domestic context. I've engaged in quite a few aspects of field sports myself and still do a bit of fishing. I have also had to trap mice in my house and rats in my garden. I'm not necessarily against pest problems being discussed on WAB. All I would like to do is see what people think about the subject.

Personally, I think it's all a question of context. For instance, surely the reason we have a 'Bushcraft and Field Sports' section is because issues raised in that context are better suited in that forum.

Eeyore, I see your point about "the sycamore is defintely a tree...", but a fox is a mammal, so should all issues to do with hunting foxes be posted in 'Mammals', or are they more appropriate in 'Bushcraft and Field Sports'?

Therefore, as werdnal touched upon, perhaps there should be a sub-forum for 'pest/nuisance species' issues. For example, a post along the lines of "Help, my house is swarming with rats" is not really posted in a natural history context, so if there was a 'pest/nuisance species' forum, the poster is more likeley to get the best advice and in the right context. At the moment posts of this nature appear 'out of context' because there isn't an appropriate forum for them.

[Dorts]

I agree with what has been said.
If someone asks for advice on how to do something that the majority of us would disaprove, we have a great opportuninty to advise otherwise and to give our reasons why. Well expressed reasoning may sway them to do something different.
Some of the best recent threads have been on such contentious issues as
getting rid of Rats, Ragwort and Trees. I don't see a problem.
Dorts.

[SpikyPhasmid]

I think it's interesting to see questions like that asked in a wildlife forum. It's like an acknowledgement that the "pest" species IS wildlife, not some kind of inherently nasty unnatural monster. I know that seems obvious, but how many people actually stop to think of mice or rats as wildlife? Usually the term is applied to charismatic animals, like big posing stags. Also, people may want to ask here in the hopes that they can find a more humane or environmentally friendly solution than rentokil.
And finally, you can learn some really interesting things this way. I didn't know anything about the technicalities of dealing with a large tree near your house. I didn't even know it could be a problem. Knowing potential damage wildlife can cause is knowing another thing about wildlife. I don't think it should be relegated to its own forum because it's not necessarily pleasant.

[loripo]

A while ago I started a thread asking for advice on dealing with carpet beetles. (There is a new one now I think, and like me, the member doesn't want to find damage around their home caused by these). I was advised to have a major cleanup, which I did and that seems to have sorted the problem for now, but as I don't know where they came from, there is the possibility I might get them again.
I knew what they were, but others might not and just see a beetle or other creature and would need that identified first.
I would certainly want to take drastic action if I found, for example, bedbugs.
And I would like to think I could get them IDd here, even if advised to look elsewhere for solutions.

[Meta menardi]

If you don't like it, don't read it.
Solved.

[Gatekeeper]

My point is that 'pest/nuisance species' posts should have there own forum within WAB, just like 'Bushcraft and Field Sports' has it's own section within WAB. Surely the reason we have sub-forums, is because some issues are best dealt with in their own context.

[healfdan]

My view is that if someone is concerned enough about a plant or a creature that is affecting their life to ask for advice from this forum, then we should do our best to allay those fears. I feel that most replies are well balanced explaining the pros and cons and guiding people away from the ultimate solution for everything that is feared or not understand. I refer to spiders, beetles hoverflies etc. But having said that there are times when certain creatures or plants, because of their potential to damage property or cause injury, have to be removed or destroyed and I would hope that we did not shy away from stating this fact where appropriate. If my views on a particular subject were to appear radical I feel sure others will contest my opinion and hopefully the person making the enquiry will be able to make an informed opinion based on what has been said. Personally the only time I feel a thread is way out of line is when members are asked to offer phyciatric advice relating to anxiety problems.