varmints

Varmint is a colloquial term for several kinds of animals regarded as pests by humans, especially those that damage crops, stored grain, property, or that spread disease. The term is informal and not tied to a single taxonomic group; it encompasses many species that exploit human environments. In agricultural and rural contexts, varmints commonly include rodents such as rats and mice, ground-dwelling rodents such as gophers, ground squirrels, and prairie dogs, as well as mammals like raccoons, opossums, and, in urban areas, pigeons and certain songbirds. While often treated as pests, varmints are part of broader ecosystems and may play roles such as scavenging or seed dispersal.

Varmints usually have high reproductive rates and opportunistic feeding behaviors, enabling them to thrive around human settlements. They can cause direct damage to crops, gardens, vehicles, and buildings; contaminate food stores; and be vectors for diseases. Management of varmints is typically addressed through integrated pest management, emphasizing prevention and non-lethal methods when feasible. Common strategies include securing food sources, removing attractants, sealing entry points to buildings, habitat modification to reduce suitable burrows or nesting sites, and population control when necessary. Where legal, control measures may involve humane trapping, dispersal, or other regulated methods, with attention to animal welfare and ecosystem impact.