While home to many helpful and beneficial plants and animals, the RM of Edenwold is also home to invasive species and nuisance animals. If you have any questions about the information below, please contact the RM Office.
Wildlife - Domestic Dogs, Deer, and Coyotes
Domestic Dogs
The RM's Animal Control Bylaw prohibits dogs from running-at-large within the RM. If you find a loose or lost dog, you can deliver the animal to the Regina Humane Society, where it will be impounded for three days. If claimed within the impoundment period, the owner will be required to pay all associated costs. If a dog is not claimed, it may be adopted or euthanized.
If you find a violent or aggressive dog, do not approach it. Instead, call 911.
Coyotes
Coyotes can be found in any open space, parks, neighbourhoods, and even commercial areas. As people and their pets spend more time outdoors, the possibility of a coyote encounter increases. Coyotes may try to push you out of an area to protect their pups or food sources when you encounter them on a trail. Humans may perceive this behaviour as stalking, which is usually not the case. While coyotes will rarely attack people, they may view your pets as prey.
To keep yourself and your pets safe, please follow these safety tips:
- Do not feed the coyotes - Coyotes are attracted by food, and when they find a viable source, they are likely to set up dens. Coyotes are particularly dangerous to domestic pets as they see cats and dogs as prey. If you feed a coyote, it may set up a den and begin preying on neighbourhood pets. Coyotes are natural to Saskatchewan and can find food for themselves, humans don't need to get involved. You may also inadvertently feed coyotes by leaving pet food, faller fruit, dirty barbecue grills, and unsecured trash or compost outside.
- Keep your pets safe - Coyotes are likely to see domestic cats and dogs as pets. To keep your pets safe, keep unattended cats and dogs indoors or in completely enclosed runs, especially at night. Do not assume that a fence will keep a coyote out of your backyard. Make sure you turn on outdoor lights if it is dark, and check your backyard for unexpected wildlife. If you are walking your pet outside, make sure to keep them on a short leash while walking.
- Stay wary if coyotes are in the area - If you or a neighbour have seen coyotes in the area, do not leave children unsupervised. Coyotes will not attack adults, but children are less likely to scare coyotes away. When walking outside, bring noisemakers, like whistles and horns, to scare coyotes away. If you encounter a coyote, yell, clap your hands, whistle, and try to make yourself look large. Whatever you do, do not run away, turn your back on a coyote, or let a coyote get between yourself and your pet or child.
Deer
The RM has noticed an increase in deer-related calls, emails, and questions we've received over the last few months. While white-tailed and mule deer may cause issues with your garden or new plantings and saplings, deer have lived in southern Saskatchewan long before humans settled the area. The RM encourages residents to find cooperative ways to live with their deer-neighbours.
While the RM would like to help you with your deer-related concerns, in almost all cases, the RM cannot provide any help. Wild animals are outside municipal jurisdiction and instead fall to the provincial government and the Ministry of Environment. If you have questions about deer in the community, please call the Ministry of Environment at (800) 567-4224.
The RM has several recommendations for residents and businesses dealing with deer populations. By being smart and responsible, you can reduce the number of negative encounters you have with deer and improve quality-of-life for you, your family, and the deer themselves.
- Do not feed the deer - While deer may look friendly, they are wild animals and should not be treated lightly. The more times deer interact with humans, the more likely they are to become acclimatized to us. In some cases, residents may leave out food for deer. Not only does this encourage deer to spend more time around humans, but it can also be detrimental. Deer will see humans as a source of food, resulting in increased deer encounters and potential for danger.
- Remove Deer Attractants - Deer are attracted to vegetable gardens and fruit trees. If you have any plants that might attract deer, harvest your produce as soon as it is ready. This will prevent deer from seeing (or smelling) food and deciding that your yard is an all-you-can-eat buffet.
- Maintain your Landscape - Don't make your yard a cozy place for visiting deer. Trim densely planted areas to make them less appealing as a hiding place. Deer prefer areas that offer quick cover in the case of predators, so eliminating that cover will discourage deer from bedding down for the night or resting there during the day.
- Plant Deer-Repellent Trees and Shrubs - While deer are more likely to go for vegetable gardens or fruit trees, they also snack on other natural plants in your yard. Before planting anything new, check to see whether it is deer-attracting or deer-repellent. If you aren't sure, talk to a local greenhouse or the White City Garden Club and ask for advice.
- Build a Fence - As a last resort, you may choose to build a fence. Fences serve as physical barriers for deer and can be the first deterrent for an animal looking to cross through your yard. If you build a fence, make sure it meets RM fence regulations. If you are curious about fence rules, call Susan at the RM at (306) 347-2965.
Pests - Rats, Skunks and Moles, Richardson Ground Squirrels, and Mosquitos
Rats
The RM hires a pest control officer to conduct farm site inspections.
If you are an agricultural or rural resident, you may be able to receive bait from the municipality at no charge. When receiving bait, you will be required to agree to the following conditions:
- bait cannot be applied in residential areas;
- bait must be used only on properties owned or leased by the person obtaining the bait; and
- landowners must sign an acknowledgement for the amount of bait received.
If you would like bait for rats or gophers, please contact the RM Office at (306) 771-2522 or visit the office at 100 Hutchence Rd., Emerald Park, SK, S4L 1C6.
Skunks and Moles
The RM has a limited number of skunk and mole traps available for resident use.
If you would like a skunk or mole trap, please contact the RM Office at (306) 771-2522 or visit the office at 100 Hutchence Rd., Emerald Park, SK, S4L 1C6.
Richardson Ground Squirrel - Alternatives to Strychnine
In March 2021, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency of Health Canada banned the use of strychnine in controlling Richardson's Ground Squirrel (RGS) (i.e. gopher) populations. As a result of this ban, rural residents and business owners must use alternative products, including Burrow Oat Bait, Rozul RTU Field Rodent Bait, and Ramik Green.
To learn more about strychnine alternatives, click here.
If you previously used strychnine and are interested in alternative options, or have an RGS infestation and would like assistance, please contact the RM Office at (306) 347-2975 or by email at info@edenwold-sk.ca
Note: Strychnine alternatives are only available to rural residents and business owners.
Mosquito Control
In an effort to minimize the spread of West Nile Virus and to protect the public, the RM has initiated a mosquito control program within the Emerald Park area. The control program is operated under Saskatchewan Environment using a larvicide called vectobac. The larvacide is applied to standing bodies of water by a licensed applicator approximately six times throughout the season.
If you have questions about the municipality's mosquito control program, please contact the RM Office at (306) 771-2522 or visit the office at 100 Hutchence Rd., Emerald Park SK, S4L 1C6.
Organic Farming
All residents engaged in organic farming must advise the RM Office accordingly. Organic farming regulations may require that organic farms maintain a buffer, and, in such cases, the adjacent road may not be included in this buffer. Please contact the RM Office for more information at (306) 771-2522, or by email at info@edenwold-sk.ca.
Invasive Plant Species
The proper cultivation of land and control of noxious weeds is encouraged throughout the municipality. If a noxious weed is spreading due to neglect, RM Council may take action against the perpetrator under the provisions of the Noxious Weeds Act.
SARM manages an Invasive Plant Control Program that can be used to subsidise the purchase and application of eligible herbicides. For more details, click here.
For more information on invasive plant species, click here.
For a guide on identifying invasive plant species, click here.
Club Root
Clubroot is a soil-borne disease affecting canola and vegetables. Clubroot affects canola yield and quality and its impact depends on soil conditions and the growth stage of the crop when infection occurs. Clubroot is a declared pest in Saskatchewan under the Pest Control Act and should be treated as soon as it is noticed.
Click here for a Canola Clubroot Factsheet
Leafy Spurge
Since 2005, RM Council has reimbursed residents for the purchase of Tordon 22K, a chemical used to stop the spread of leafy spurge. Residents can receive up to $5000 a year (except for taxes which are non-refundable).
To apply, please fill out the rebate form and submit it to the RM Office by mail to 100 Hutchence Road, Emerald Park, SK S4L 1C6, in-person, or by email to info@edenwold-sk.ca.
To learn more about leafy spurge, click here.
In addition to chemical control of Leafy Spurge, SARM offers a collection day for Leafy Spurge Beetles. Leafy spurge beetles are insects that feed on leafy spurge, acting as a biological control agent for the noxious weed.
For information about Leafy Spurge Beetle Collection, click here.
Wild Parsnip
Wild parsnip is a noxious weed listed under The Weed Control Act. It can cause burns similar to a chemical burn or extreme sunburn if skin comes into contact with wild parsnip sap and then is exposed to sunlight. If you come into contact with wild parsnip, wash the area thoroughly, immediately cover the area, and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Wild parsnip blisters can take a few days to appear.
Note: Wild parsnip looks very similar to cow parsnip, a common native plant species. The primary difference is the colour of the flowers: Wild parsnip's flowers are yellow, while cow parsnip's flowers are white.
To learn more about wild parsnip, click here.
Absinthe Wormwood
Absinth wormwood will outcompete desirable forbs and grasses in pastures, fields and native grasslands. It easily establishes in disturbed areas where there is little plant competition. Absinth wormwood is an herbaceous perennial with a strong sage odor. It commonly grows to 3 feet tall (sometimes to 5 feet tall). Plant is covered with fine, silky hairs and has a gray-green appearance.
To learn more about Absinthe, click here.
Baby's Breath
Baby's breath is an ornamental species (often in floral arrangements) that has escaped cultivation and invaded pastures and rangeland. Once established, it forms dense stands and is difficult to control. Baby's breath is a much-branched perennial herb growing up to 2.5 feet (0.75 meters) in height. It has a deep root system that helps it to survive in arid conditions.