Agricultural pests and nuisances are defined under the Agricultural Pest Act as any animal, bird, insect, plant or disease which negatively impacts agricultural production.
The Agricultural Pest Act directs that declared Agricultural Pests must be eradicated, while Agricultural Nuisances may be controlled as directed in the Agricultural Pest and Nuisance Control Regulation
Animals, birds, insects, plants and diseases declared to be pests throughout Alberta
- Africanized bee — Apis mellifera adansonii
- Bacterial ring rot — Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus
- Blackleg of canola — Leptosphaeria maculans
- Chalkbrood — Ascosphaere aggregata
- Clubroot — Plasmodiophora brassicae
- Columbia River root knot nematode — Meloidogyne chitwoodi
- Dutch elm disease — Ophiostoma ulmi and Ophiostoma nova-ulmi
- Dwarf bunt — Tilletia controversa
- European elm bark beetle — Scolytus multistriatus
- Fireblight and the causal bacterium — Erwinia amylovora
- Flag smut of cereals — Urocystis agropyri
- Golden nematode — Globodera rostochiensis
- Grasshopper (Locustidae)
- Gypsy moth — Lymantria dispar
- Head smut of corn — Spacelothecia reiliana
- Karnal bunt — Tilletia indica
- Lesser grain borer — Rhyzopertha dominica
- Native elm bark beetle — Hylurgopinus rufipes
- Norway rat and any other rat species or strain derived from the genus Rattus
- Potato wart — Synchytrium endobioticum
- Rabies — Rhabdoviruses
- Stem and bulb nematode — Ditylenchus dipsaci
- Warble fly — Hypoderma
- White rot of onions — Sclerotium cepivorum
ASB Monitoring
The County of Warner Ag Service Board conducts an annual crop condition and pest monitoring program to observe the presence of disease, pests and other agricultural disturbances, these survey's include;
- Alberta Crop Reporting,
- Drought monitoring and forecasting,
- Wheat - Fusarium head blight,
- Canola - Clubroot, Blackleg and Schlerotinia,
- Peas- Root rot, Mycosphaerella, Ascochyta, White mold and bacterial blight,
- Corn - Fusarium,
- Grasshoppers - population count,
- Prohibited noxious weeds,
- Elm bark beetle - Dutch elm disease,
- Diamondback moth,
- Bertha armyworm,
- Rabies, and
- Invasive mussels within reservoirs.
Alberta Insect and Pest Monitoring Network
The grasshopper forecast map is based on adult grasshoppers counts conducted in August by Agriculture Fieldmen across the province. Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation acknowledges the continued commitment and support of the Agriculture Fieldmen across the province in conducting the surveys essential to the creation of this forecast.
Alberta Insect Pest Monitoring Network - forecast map and other information
Prairie Pest Monitoring Network - weekly insect information
Wild Boars
To report a Wild Boar sighting, please call the County of 310-FARM (310-3276).
Wild Boar at Large - An Invasive Pest in Alberta
AISC "Squeal on Pigs" initiative
Grasshoppers
The adult grasshopper counts give an indication of the number of individuals capable of reproduction and egg laying. Environmental factors can result in higher or lower actual populations than forecast. Individual producers need to be aware of the potential risks in their area and monitor fields accordingly and then make the appropriate decisions if control measures are required.
Bertha Armyworm
The bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) monitoring program has been conducted in Alberta since 1995. A group of keen and dedicated cooperators made up of provincial government personnel, industry agronomists, applied research associations, agricultural fieldmen and cooperating growers maintain the pheromone trap network. Agriculture and Forestry organizes the network of pheromone traps and maintains the map and the web-based application. The Prairie Pest Monitoring Network provides the traps and lures.
Without dedicated and willing cooperators, such a comprehensive monitoring system would not be possible. Thank you to everyone who has participated in the pheromone trapping for bertha armyworm.
View the Bertha Armyworm Survey Findings
Bertha armyworm, Canola Council of Canada
Bertha armyworm, credit: J.Williams AAFC
Bertha armyworm larvae: Canola Council
Cabbage Seedpod Weevil
The 2023 survey covered the canola growing areas of southern and central Alberta. 222 fields in 50 municipalities were sampled in late June to early July when canola was at 20-25 per cent flower. Surveyors sample by taking 25-180 degree sweeps through the crop starting at the field edge and walking toward the centre of the field.
View the Cabbage Seedpod Weevil survey findings
Cabbage Seedpod Weevil Information, Canola Council of Canada
Cabbage Seedpod Weevil, Credit: Canola Council of Canada
Rat Control
Alberta is extremely fortunate not to have rats in the province. This situation is not by chance, but by design. Since 1950, Alberta has had a program to keep rats out of the province.
If you see a rat, Phone the Ag Service Board at 403-642-2255, and do the following;
- Safely take a picture, note the location, and send the information to:
- Email: 310rats@gov.ab.ca
- Phone: 310-FARM (3276)
The economic losses rats cause to stored and in-field crops, the destruction of property, and their effects on human health have been extensively documented for decades.
Losses caused by rats can be divided into 3 categories: Losses to food stuffs – consumption and contamination, Damage caused by gnawing and tunnelling, and disease transmission – public health concerns of rat spread diseases such as C-difficile, e-coli, Lepstospirosis, Rat Bite Fever, and superbug bacteria are a few pathogens spread by rats.
More information:
Overview of the Alberta Rat Control Program
History of Rat Control in Alberta
Rabies Surveillance
Rabies is an acute, fatal viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal and impacts public health, agriculture, and wildlife. Rabies in domestic animals is a provincially reportable disease and rabies in wild animals is a provincially notifiable disease.
If you spot any animal exhibiting the following symptoms, call the Ag Service Board at 403-642-2255.
- Abnormal behaviour, aggression, self-mutilation,
- Excessive salivation, difficulty swallowing, abnormal vocalization, abnormal cranial nerve reflects,
- Ataxia, weakness, paralysis, difficulty breathing, and/or seizures.
The rabies virus infects the central nervous system. If a person does not receive the appropriate medical care after a potential rabies exposure, the virus can cause disease in the brain, ultimately resulting in death. Rabies can be prevented by vaccinating pets, staying away from wildlife, and seeking medical care after potential exposures before symptoms start.
Animal species which can be infected by rabies
Coyotes, Bats, Skunks, and Raccoons
Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
View the Alberta Rabies Prevention and Control Manual
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Rabies
Other Agricultural Pests & Nuisances
| Agricultural Pest | Resource |
| Fireblight | Fireblight Management |
| Diamondback Moths | Diamondback Moth - Monitoring |