The toxicity of difenacoum and difethialone to the rock hyrax,Procavia capensis

Rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) were individually caged and were given two second-generation anticoagulants, difenacoum and difethialone, in fresh sliced apple bait. Mortality caused by 0.1-0.2 g kg^?1 difenacoum bait was rather low: 0/6, 1/4 and 2/4 only. As a relatively high concentration in the bait was required, the use of difenacoum in the field is not possible because of environmental considerations. Mortality caused by 0.05 g kg^?1 difethialone bait was 5/6, and by 0.065 g kg^?1 6/6. The potential of using difethialone in the field is uncertain because of the prolonged treatment needed.     

Laboratory and field trials of the rodenticide brodifacoum against warfarin-resistant Norway rats

Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) trapped in a low-income housing area in Raleigh, North Carolina, and on a poultry farm in Garner, North Carolina, manifested high levels of resistance to warfarin in laboratory tests. Of the rats tested, 59.1 and 91.7% from the Raleigh and Garner trap sites, respectively, survived a 6-day no-choice test of a diet containing 0.005 % warfarin. The warfarin-resistant rats were subsequently given a choice of a 0.005% brodifacoum bait and a placebo diet. Of 27 rats, 19 died after a 3-day test. Survivors had consumed significantly less brodifacoum (0.1 < P > 0.05) than those that died, but the survivors also died when subjected to an additional 1-day no-choice test of the brodifacoum bait. Field trials, in which warfarin-resistant rats in four poultry houses were fed with poison bait for 14–16 days with 0.005% brodifacoum in a pelletised bait (‘Talon’), resulted in 87–99 % control being achieved.     

Brodifacoum is effective against Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) in a tyrosine139cysteine focus of anticoagulant resistance in Westphalia,Germany

BACKGROUND: The tyrosine to cysteine amino acid substitution at location 139 of the vkorc1 protein (i.e. tyrosine139cysteine or Y139C) is the most widespread anticoagulant resistance mutation in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus Berk.) in Europe. Field trials were conducted to determine the incidence of the Y139C mutation at two rat‐infested farms in Westphalia, Germany, and to estimate the practical efficacy against them of applications, using a pulsed baiting treatment regime, of a proprietary bait (Klerat^?) containing 0.005% brodifacoum. RESULTS: DNA analysis for the Y139C mutation showed that resistant rats were prevalent at the two farms, with an incidence of 80.0 and 78.6% respectively. Applications of brodifacoum bait achieved results of 99.2 and 100.0% control at the two farms, when measured by census baiting, although the treatment was somewhat prolonged at one site, possibly owing to the abundance of attractive alternative food. CONCLUSION: The study showed that 0.005% brodifacoum bait is fully effective against Norway rats possessing the Y139C mutation at the Münsterland focus and is likely to be so elsewhere in Europe where this mutation is found. The pulsed baiting regime reduced to relatively low levels the quantity of bait required to control these two substantial resistant Norway rat infestations. Previous studies had shown much larger quantities of bromadiolone and difenacoum baits used in largely ineffective treatments against Y139C resistant rats in the Münsterland. These results should be considered when making decisions about the use of anticoagulants against resistant Norway rats and their potential environmental impacts. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Resistance testing and the effectiveness of difenacoum against Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) in a tyrosine139cysteine focus of anticoagulant resistance,Westphalia, Germany

BACKGROUND: Anticoagulant resistance in Norway rats at foci in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom is genetically characterised by the same single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and consequent amino acid exchange from tyrosine to cysteine at location 139 of the vkorc1 gene (i.e. tyrosine139cysteine or Y139C). The purpose of this study was to assess the degree of resistance among rats at two infested farm sites in the Y139C focus in Westphalia, Germany, using blood clotting response (BCR) tests, and to determine the practical efficacy of applications of a commercial 50 ppm difenacoum bait (Neokil^?) against them. RESULTS: BCR tests showed that the difenacoum resistance factor (RF) among the Y139C rats was about 2.5. DNA analysis for the Y139C mutation revealed that it was present among rats at the two sites with a prevalence of 75 and 93%. Applications of difenacoum bait at the two sites achieved 86.8 and 59.9% control. The different outcomes did not appear to be due to differences either in the degree and prevalence of resistance or in the quantities of poisoned bait consumed. CONCLUSION: The study showed that, although the RF for difenacoum among rats carrying the Y139C SNP was apparently low, an acceptable level of control of resistant Norway rat infestations was not achieved using difenacoum. Continued use of anticoagulants against rats that are resistant to them will exacerbate resistance problems in terms of both increased severity and prevalence. These conclusions are likely to apply elsewhere in Europe where the Y139C SNP occurs. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

The impact of resistance on the use of second-generation anticoagulants against rats on farms in Southern England

Resistance amongst rats to second-generation anticoagulants, notably difenacoum, has been recognised since the 1970s. Although initially considered to be of practical significance, doubts were subsequently expressed that the degree of resistance was sufficient to explain ineffective rodenticide treatments. Research published elsewhere demonstrated the overriding importance of poor poisoned bait consumption, caused by the influence of certain ecological factors on rat behaviour, in reducing the effectiveness of second-generation anticoagulant treatments on farms in southern England. In this paper we consider, however, the subtle effects of resistance to anticoagulants on treatment outcome. The prevalence of resistance was increased amongst survivors of treatments and bait consumption by resistant survivors was higher than amongst susceptible survivors. The overall prevalence and degree of resistance to second-generation anticoagulants does not, however, currently represent a practical problem. Nevertheless, selection favouring increased resistance remains a long-term threat to the effectiveness of both difenacoum and bromadiolone.     

An investigation of the parameters of anticoagulant treatment efficiency1

The traditional technique of applying anticoagulant rodenticides, as shaped by long experience in the use of low-toxicity, first-generation anticoagulants such as warfarin, aims to maximize treatment efficiency by maximizing the rate of bait consumption by the target rodents. This is done, somewhat laboriously, by laying surplus amounts of bait initially, and maintaining this surplus throughout the treatment by repeatedly replenishing the bait placements. The suggestion that the high toxicity of the second-generation anticoagulants should enable a more efficient baiting system to be designed is examined experimentally in this field study of the control of Rattus norvegicus on British farms. Bait toxicity, infestation size and the incidence of complete takes of bait were found to be independent and highly significant determinants of treatment duration whilst, in comparison, the size and density of bait points and the frequency with which the bait was replenished were found to be relatively unimportant. However, bait size and, more especially, replenishment frequency had detectable secondary effects, apparently through partial relationships with the incidence of complete takes and infestation size. The results indicate, in relation to the control of commensal infestations of R. norvegicus on British farms, that the use of high-toxicity bait formulations and frequent replenishment schedules increase the speed of control, whilst the number and size of bait placements are relatively unimportant; they also suggest that reductions in the frequency of bait replenishment made in order to save labour could be compensated for by increasing the toxicity of the bait and taking other steps to reduce the incidence of complete takes of bait. The results are discussed in relation to the concept of ‘pulsed baiting'.     

Reducing sodium fluoroacetate and fluoroacetamide concentrations in field rodent baits

Laboratory trials were carried out in order to establish the minimum active ingredient (a.i.) concentration of sodium fluoroacetate (1080) and of fluoroacetamide (1081) in wheat baits employed againstMicrotus guentheri, the Levant vole, andMeriones tristrami, Tristram’s jird, without interfering with the toxicants’ efficacy. Using a mixture of treated and untreated grain enabled a greater reduction in the a.i. concentration compared with that which could be achieved whenall the grains offered contained a lower a.i. concentration of the toxicants. ForM. tristrami the lowest efficient final a.i. concentration in the bait was 0.0125% for 1080 mixed bait (1:4 mixture of 0.05% poison grains with filler grains) and 0.01% for 1081 mixed bait (1:10 mixture of 0.1% poison grains with filler grains); and forM. guentheri — 0.005% mixed bait of 1080 or 1081 (1:10 mixture of 0.05% poison grains with filler grains). This leads to a reduction of the hazards involved in the use of prepared baits of these toxicants in the field.     

The influence of anticoagulant resistance on effective rodent control in the UK1

Widespread use of warfarin, and other multiple-dose anticoagulants, selected populations of warfarin-resistant rodents in the UK and in other countries. The effectiveness of rodent control was dramatically reduced when the resistant animals formed a large proportion of a population. The second-generation anticoagulants were developed to overcome these practical control problems with warfarin and were considered to be effective rodenticides against warfarin-resistant populations. In the UK, however, difenacoum showed reduced efficacy for controlling an established warfarin-resistant Rattus norvegicus population covering a substantial area of farmland in southern England. Continued use of difenacoum selected for difenacoum-resistant animals, so that the rodenticide is now ineffective for controlling rats in three counties. Brodifacoum was subsequently used to control some infestations and there is evidence that these treatments selected for animals with an increased level of resistance to brodifacoum. Anticoagulant resistance in Mus domesticus is less of a practical problem because of the availability of non-anticoagulant rodenticides for the control of this species. There is evidence, however, of bromadiolone resistance in M. domesticus trapped on farms in the UK. Recent investigations of the mechanism of anticoagulant resistance in R. norvegicus have indicated that vitamin K3 (menadione) is an antidote to anticoagulants in resistant animals. This form of the vitamin is included as a dietary supplement in poultry and pig food and would aid the survival, and therefore increase the selection, of resistant animals when anticoagulants are used exclusively.     

The control of commensal rodents in Britain1

Rattus norvegicus and Mus domesticus are the only significant commensal rodents in Britain, though Rattus rattus is also present in a few places. R. norvegicus is by far the most important pest of agriculture. No recent quantitative information is available on the status of rodent infestation, damage or control, though these are generally considered to be satisfactory and to have altered little in the last few years. In particular, there seem to be no infestation problems of practical significance that cannot be adequately resolved by currently available control techniques. Recent developments of practical interest include the occurrence of rodent damage to the plastic bags in which big bale silage is preserved, low-grade resistance to difenacoum in R. norvegicus in one locality, and the continued introduction of improved rodenticides. New legislation has been introduced giving government comprehensive powers over the use of pesticides, under which rodenticides must now be assessed for safety, efficacy and humaneness. Responsibility for research, training and extension in rodent control has largely been devolved to the private, academic and local government sectors, with central government now undertaking these activities only on a commercial basis. The nature and significance of these changes is discussed.     

Validating census methods to measure changes in house mouse populations

BACKGROUND: Tracking and census baiting are two techniques that are commonly advocated for monitoring the size of mouse populations. However, currently these techniques are only able to provide an index of population size, rather than an assessment of absolute numbers. In this study the authors tested the reliability of both tracking (footprints left on tiles of fixed size) and census baiting as indices of population size, and sought to calibrate levels of activity and bait consumption under both semi‐natural and field conditions (inside farm buildings). RESULTS: Under semi‐natural conditions, census baiting produced more satisfactory population estimates than those derived from tracking activity. An initial field trial established that the optimum bait point density for this technique was 1 point per 2 m. Subsequent field trials demonstrated that the bait census technique offers a way to estimate the approximate size of stable populations of mice (population size = (mean daily bait consumption ‐ 36.3)/2.46). CONCLUSION: The results to date are sufficiently encouraging to support the use of this cost‐effective approach to monitoring mouse numbers in the type of habitats investigated in this study. © Crown copyright 2008. Reproduced with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Population Dynamics of Small Rodents in Farm Buildings and on Arable Land1

Live-capture/recapture data on house mice caught in buildings on a single farm in England over a 1-year period showed that the populations were essentially unstable, being characterized by constant changes in size and composition. Less than 50% of the mice were recovered 8 weeks after they had been first captured. Although there was considerable individual variation in the movements of male and of female mice within particular buildings, movement between isolated populations was rare (6/439 animals; 1.4%). The house mouse was also found to be present in hedgerows near and distant to the farm buildings, albeit in low number. Movements of out-door living mice into farm buildings were not extensive, but could be important in relation to the re-invasion of cleared premises. The most abundant small rodent in the hedgerows was found to be Apodemus sylvaticus (L.).     

Performance studies with the new anticoagulant rodenticide,flocoumafen, against Mus domesticus and Rattus norvegicus1

Flocoumafen is a new, highly potent anticoagulant rodenticide from Shell Research. It is effective against all the economically important species tested to date, including those with warfarin-resistant strains. This paper is concerned with its performance against two important commensal rodent species, Mus domesticus and Rattus norvegicus. In laboratory studies these two pest species may absorb a lethal dose of flocoumafen by taking a 0.005% (50 ppm) bait as part of their food intake on only one occasion. This single-feed potency of flocoumafen, combined with its good intrinsic palatability, makes it ideal for use in pulse baiting. Marketed under the Shell trade mark Storm, the principal bait formulation selected for commercialization is the wax-bound block. Recent advances in formulation development include increased resistance to attack by insects and fungi and the incorporation of a bitter taste which acts as a deterrent for humans without influencing the palatability of the bait to rodents. Flocoumafen's outstanding potency has been confirmed in a wide range of field trials. In the UK alone, almost 70 pen and field trials have been successfully completed with a mean estimated control in excess of 95%.     

高置式大容量毒饵站对东北农田害鼠的防治效果初探

毒饵站是化学防鼠常用设施,可以减少非靶标动物的误食风险。目前常用毒饵站容量小、毒饵易浪费、添加毒饵不便的缺点限制了其在东北地区的大规模应用。本研究针对东北农业环境特点,设计了一种新型高置式大容量毒饵站,在黑龙江了进行为期1年的防效试验,并测试其作用范围。结果表明,这种毒饵站每年毒饵用量2.8~3.8kg,鼠密度控制率可长期保持在75%以下;其有效覆盖面积为1.1hm2,最佳防治效果的覆盖面积为0.5hm2。这些结果说明这种大容量高置式毒饵站具有毒饵添加便捷、无浪费的优点,在东北地区防治经济效益远远大于其他传统小容量毒饵站,值得在当地应用和推广。     

Potentiation of warfarin toxicity to roof rats (Rattus rattus) by L-histidine and by vitamin K adsorbers

The efficacy of warfarin alone or with various additives was tested against roof rats (Rattus rattus). Warfarin alone at 50 mg kg^?1 of bait killed 37% of the roof rats where-as the additives, L -histidine (40 mg kg^?1 of bait), activated-clay, charcoal and carbon (10 g kg^?1 of bait), tested individually, produced no mortality. However, when warfarin wascombined with each of these additives in turn, only the L -histidine combination resulted in 100% mortality while the other combinations killed 88, 75 and 63% of the test rats respectively. Further trials of paired comparison tests were carried out in order to evaluate the efficacy of the warfarin/L -histidine combination under different environmental conditions. All the rats succumbed to this combination in both cage and rattery conditions when there was no alternative food. Mortality decreased to 60% in cage and 70% in rattery when alternative food was provided alongside the poison bait. Rats tended to die more quickly with the L -histidine combination than with warfarin alone. Field trials also confirmed that this combination was effective in reducing roof rat infestations as shown by the yield of corpses, the post-poison bait intake and post-operational surveillance.     

Tenth international congress of plant protection,Brighton, November 1983

Abstract

Field trials were conducted to control rodent pests of wheat crop by improving bait acceptability through taste enhancers (additives). Egg shell, egg yolk, yeast, minced meat, sheep blood and chicken blood were mixed 2% by weight individually in a bait base of broken rice and wheat flour. Brodifacoum and bromadiolone bait with egg shell additive ranked first, and egg yolk second, in preference over other additive poison baits and poison bait without additive. Poison baiting yielded 93.3% and 86.7% reduction in rodent population with brodifacoum and bromadiolone (0.005% each), respectively. Three baitings, at tillering, flowering and maturity stage of the crop, gave 91.0% tiller damage reduction with brodifacoum and 86.0% with bromadiolone as compared to control (untreated). It is concluded that three poison baitings containing egg shell additive should be initiated at tillering stage followed by flowering and maturity of the wheat crop for increased yield.     

Field evaluation of capsaicin as a rodent aversion agent for poultry feed

Developing additional techniques for reducing animal feed contamination by rodents and controlling rodent populations is critical to efforts aimed at reducing the occurrence of Salmonella spp infection on poultry farms. Capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers of the genus Capsicum, produces a burning sensation in the mouth of mammals and is used effectively as an animal deterrent for some pest species. Applied to poultry feed, capsaicin may be effective as an aversive agent to deter rodent feeding and enhance acceptability of rodenticide baits. We tested capsaicin-treated poultry diets (2000 and 3000 Scoville Heat Units, SHU) in no-choice feeding trials at four active New York farms in the winter of 1997-1998. At all farms, consumption of the 2000 SHU diet by rodents (Norway rats, Rattus norvegicus (Berk), and house mice, Mus musculus L) was significantly less than consumption of a control diet. Consumption of the 3000 SHU diet by rodents was significantly less than consumption of a control diet at three of the four farms. Overall, consumption of treated diets was 58-97% and 55-98% less than consumption of the control diet, for the 2000 and 3000 SHU diets, respectively. These reductions appeared to be related closely to the availability of alternative feed sources at these farms. Two-choice feeding trials involving a rodenticide bait (0.05 g kg(-1) brodifacoum) and the 3000 SHU diet demonstrated that Norway rats preferred the rodenticide to the capsaicin-treated poultry feed. Overall, rodenticide bait acceptance was high (95.6%) when offered simultaneously with capsaicin-treated poultry feed. Although poultry managers must utilize several techniques to manage rodent pests, the use of capsaicin-treated diets to reduce feed losses and increase rodenticide bait acceptance appears promising. Use of capsaicin-treated feed on poultry farms may substantially reduce feed contamination by rodents and ultimately the incidence of Salmonella infection in poultry.     

A comparison of permethrin and methomyl insecticides for the control of a multiresistant strain of houseflies (Musca domestica)

A methomyl sugar bait formulation and permethrin residual spray were compared for the control of a multi-insecticide resistant strain of housefly in a UK pig farm. The methomyl was applied as a granular scatter bait at the manufacturer's recommended rate of 25 mg m^?2 active ingredient (a.i.) to the treated floor area. Permethrin was applied at 32, 64 and 128 mg m^?2 a.i. to structural surfaces. The highest deposit rate of permethrin used was four times that recommended by the manufacturer for the control of flying insects. The methomyl bait gave effective control but the permethrin spray failed at all deposit rates tested. The use of permethrin increased resistance to this compound at the KD50 level from x 13 to x 560 within 10 weeks and significantly increased the proportion of flies resistant to natural pyrethrins synergised with piperonyl butoxide (P<0.01).     

Methods of testing rodenticides in the field against rats

Poisons used in bait to control rats are of two kinds; single-dose acute poisons and those with a slow or cumulative action lethal only if two or more daily doses are consumed. The two types require different baiting techniques and different methods must be used for testing them in the field. For acute poisons, the relative sizes of rat infestations have to be measured by baiting with unpoisoned bait both before and after poison baiting and the pre-treatment sizes taken into account when analysing the results. When testing possible cumulative or multiple-dose poisons, pre-treatment baiting is unnecessary and the method used was that originally devised for field testing for anticoagulant resistance in rats. Examples of published results of field trials of both types of poison are discussed.     

Biochemical and histochemical studies on the digestive gland of Eobania vermiculata snails treated with carbamate pesticides

In this study the land snail (Eobania vermiculata), one of the most abundant gastropod of Egyptian farms, was investigated to determine the lethal toxic action of methomyl and methiocarb and to identify the biochemical and histochemical changes as a function of sublethal dose or concentration on the digestive gland of this snail under laboratory conditions, using topical application and baiting techniques. The results showed that methomyl exhibited greater efficacy than did methiocarb against the snails in both techniques. However, higher mortality rates were obtained in the topical application technique than in the poison bait experiments. Biochemical and histochemical examinations revealed that treatment of the snails with methomyl and methiocarb either by topical application or toxic baits caused significant decrease in carbohydrate, lipid and protein contents. This decrease was also more obvious after topical application than after baiting technique, and methomyl was found to be more toxic than methiocarb.     

Distribution of Potato Cyst Eelworm in Scotland1

Although potato cyst eelworm has been known in Scotland for more than 60 years, infestations are fewer than might have been expected. In 22 years of soil testing, based on nominal 500 g samples and sampling units of up to 6 ha, 80% of the farms examined were found free from detectable infestation and 10%, i.e. half the infested farms, had one infestation only. Most populations were light; one third of all infested samples contained a single viable cyst and 80%, ten cysts or fewer. It is suggested that long rotations have kept eelworm populations in check over much of the country, but in some areas their effectiveness has been reduced by persistent groundkeepers. Surveys indicate that Heterodera pallida Stone is uncommon and so the progressive use of resistant varieties, which are proving popular with seed growers for their commercial qualities, coupled with the long rotations generally practised, may well tip the balance even more favourably towards increased control.