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.     

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.     

Bromadiolone susceptibility in wild and laboratory Mus musculus L.(house mice) in Buenos Aires,Argentina

BACKGROUND: Rodents are major pests in many agricultural systems, where they can cause significant economic losses and involve a sanitary risk. The application of anticoagulant rodenticides for rodent control has showed a decrease in effectiveness through time because of the development of resistant populations and the development of aversion behaviour. The goal of the present study was to test the susceptibility to bromadiolone and the existence of anticoagulant resistance in Mus musculus L. (house mouse) in Argentina. We conducted a feeding test with wild animals captured in poultry farms and a laboratory strain that were fed with bromadiolone bait. RESULTS: Three animals of the field experimental group survived the 21 days study period, while for laboratory animals mortality was 100%. Control field animals which were fed without anticoagulant showed 100% survival. CONCLUSION: We found evidence of the presence of anticoagulant resistant M. musculus L. in the study area. Feeding behaviour may have contributed to increasing the time of survival, and may be a mechanism that allows metabolic clearance of the bromadiolone. Under field conditions control with anticoagulants would be less effective because animals have alternative food. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

我国杀鼠剂应用现状及发展趋势

杀鼠剂研究与应用是害鼠生物学研究的主要内容之一,化学治理则是鼠害综合治理的关键技术之一。本文针对我国主要杀鼠剂种类及特征,简要介绍了目前我国杀鼠剂应用技术现状以及存在的问题,提出在目前生态文明建设要求下,及以生态学理念为指导的鼠害综合治理的发展趋势中,在有效避免鼠类为害的前提下,如何有效降低杀鼠剂应用可能带来的负面效应,同时最大化发挥鼠类的生态学功能,将是害鼠生物学及杀鼠剂应用研究的基本发展方向。     

Anticoagulant resistance: a relevant issue in sewer rat (Rattus norvegicus) control?

BACKGROUND: The majority of rat problems in cities are thought to be related to defective sewers, and the use of anticoagulant rodenticides in such places is often implemented as part of regular urban rodent control. Knowledge pertaining to the resistance status of sewer rat populations is non‐existent, which may be leading to control problems in cities. It has become crucial to provide knowledge on the prevalence of resistance and how different control strategies have affected its prevalence among sewer rat populations. The prevalence of resistance was investigated in six sewer locations in Copenhagen and its suburban area by means of the blood clotting response (BCR) test and amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (ARMS PCR) analysis, and by additional sequencing of the VKORC1 gene. The sewer locations were chosen to represent three different control strategies: (i) no anticoagulant use for approximately 20 years; (ii) no anticoagulant use for the last 5 years; (iii) continuous use for several decades up to the present. RESULTS: A low level of anticoagulant resistance was found in the sewers regardless of control strategy. Surprisingly, none of the rats, including the resistant rats, had resistance‐related mutations in the VKORC1 gene. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the genetic background of anticoagulant resistance may have to be redefined in respect of resistance‐related changes in the VKORC1 gene. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of physical barriers and eradication on recolonization of rodents in poultry farms

Abstract

Mus musculus, Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus are pests in poultry farms, causing economic losses and transmitting diseases. Control is commonly conducted through anticoagulant rodenticides, but this control is not effective through time. We aimed to assess the effect of rodent exclosure on long-term success of rodent control in poultry farms of the pampean region, Argentina, and to evaluate indirect estimators of rodent abundance. In both exclosure and non-exclosure sheds rodent abundance decreased significantly after eradication but mice populations showed a recovery, suggesting that the eradication was not complete. Rats did not recover, but the low abundance found at the beginning of the experiment does not allow an accurate conclusion.     

Warfarin resistance in Rattus losea in Guangdong Province, China

Control of rodent populations is performed worldwide with coumarin derivatives, such as warfarin. After widespread use, their effect has been diminished by the rapid spread of resistant rodents. Warfarin resistance in Rattus loseas in Jiangmen and Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, was investigated by lethal feeding tests. Twenty-three of 30 R. loseas trapped in Jiangmen City were assayed as warfarin-resistant individuals, whereas only 1 of 30 rodents in Zhanjiang was resistant. These results emphasize the need for thorough resistance monitoring as a basis for adequate control measures to prevent the use of ineffective rodenticides in Jiangmen City. The resistance mechanism mainly involves VKORC1, the molecular target for coumarin drugs. VKORC1 mRNA expression in wild-caught resistant animals showed no difference compared with that in susceptible individuals. Mutation screening of VKORC1 was carried out and an Arg58Gly mutation was identified as the prevailing type in R. loseas from Jiangmen City, which may constitute the genetic basis of anticoagulation resistance in R. losea in this resistance region.     

Exploring drivers of the usage of anticoagulant rodenticides on UK farms

Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are considered inhumane, show increasingly limited efficacy due to acquired resistance, and carry environmental consequences associated with non-target species uptake. In a questionnaire study of 499 UK farms that all deployed chemical rodenticide we found a high mean reliance (79%), on second generation ARs with just over half of the respondents using no other rodent control methods. Additional methods where deployed, alone or in combination, included predation (41%), kill-trap deployment (16%) and shooting (1%). Nearly 40% of all respondents deployed rodenticides year-round. There was no evidence to suggest that “tidy-farm” measures, such as clearing food spills and minimising on-farm rodent harbourage sites aimed at minimising rodent-associated problems, were associated with a lower likelihood of year-round deployment; in fact trends in our analyses suggested the opposite. We therefore encourage operators to fully evaluate the true necessity of rodenticide deployment before AR use.     

3种抗凝血类杀鼠剂在喀什农区防治害鼠效果及对家禽的安全性评价

为确定适于防治南疆农区鼠害的抗凝血类杀鼠剂, 在喀什地区疏勒县采用夹捕法、食饵法、粉迹法评估了杀鼠醚、溴敌隆、溴鼠灵的防治效果, 并采用灌胃法给药测试3种杀鼠剂对家鸡Gallus domestiaus和鸽子Columba livia的安全性。结果表明, 连续投放毒饵10 d后, 与溴敌隆防治区相比, 杀鼠醚防治区的阳性粉块和无毒小麦取食量的下降幅度均无显著差异, 但无毒小麦取食量下降的农户比例更高;且防治后褐家鼠比例更低, 防治期间毒饵消耗量更高。连续单独投放溴敌隆30 d的灭鼠效果可达90.9%, 但10 d溴敌隆与20 d溴鼠灵联合防治防效仅为65.9%。灌胃法测试表明, 对当地家禽类的毒性从低到高依次为杀鼠醚、溴敌隆和溴鼠灵。因此, 建议优选毒性较低的杀鼠醚或溴敌隆用于南疆农区鼠害防治。     

Bromadiolone,a New Anticoagulant Rodenticide1

A search for more effective anticoagulant rodenticides has brought about the development of a new compound, coded LM-637, and temporarily named bromadiolone. Results of efficacy tests on 10 rodent species are discussed in detail. The compound was found to be a very potent and highly palatable anticoagulant which is capable of achieving 100% mortality in Norway rats, Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout), with 1-day feeding. Efficacy was demonstrated on all 3 commensal rodents and several important agricultural rodent pests native to the United States. A relatively few feedings (1 to 5 days) of bait containing 0.005 % bromadiolone produced death in most species tested. These rodenticidal properties make bromadiolone a most promising control agent.     

我国农业鼠害发生状况及防控技术进展

我国的农业鼠害发生十分严重,全国31个省（市、自治区）农区均有发生。每年农田鼠害发生面积2 000~4 000万hm2,造成的粮食损失可占总产量的5%~10%。草原鼠害发生也遍及青海等13个草原大省（自治区）,每年草原受灾面积达2 500~4 300万hm2左右,严重危害面积1 500~2 300万hm2。近年,我国农业鼠害防治工作取得了长足进步,成绩斐然。农田鼠害的防治可占到发生面积的50%~80%,农户鼠害的防治数占到发生总数的80%以上。草原鼠害防治面积占严重危害面积的1/3。鼠害监测预警体系的软硬件建设被不断推进。毒饵站技术,抗药性监测等技术措施被用来优化传统化学灭杀法,以减少其环境副作用。不育控制,TBS技术和生态管理等新型可持续鼠害管理技术的研究和试验推广也取得了丰硕成果。指导相关鼠害防治方法实践的国家标准、行业标准及优化策略等陆续推出。综合运用各种技术和方法来控制鼠害的能力得到了很大加强。     

Method of Selecting Preferred Baits and Rodenticides1

To conduct bait-choice tests, with species that will enter bait boxes, requires at least 10 bait boxes (25–40 cm long and about 20 cm deep) with openings at opposite corners, for exposing 3 to 5 trays of potential baits. Floors of boxes are dusted with a thin layer of talc or ground clay. The same boxes can be used to determine acceptance of the proven preferred bait treated with different rodenticides at different concentrations, except that different toxicants cannot be compared in the same box unless only chronic (multiple-feeding) anticoagulants are used. Tracking tunnels or stations can be used to obtain a relative pre- and post-control census of rodent populations. They are especially useful for determining whether there are survivors. If there axe survivors, the above non-toxic bait-acceptance tests and acceptance of prepared toxic bait tests must be repeated, for it is paramount to learn why the survivors were not poisoned.     

Managing resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides: An appraisal

The action necessary for resistance management is specified and compared with what has actually been done, with reference to executive, extension and research activities and to the role of rodenticides and rodenticide development. Some obstacles to resistance management are discussed. To account for the fact that no plausible programme to manage resistance has been developed over the last 36 years, the hypothesis is examined that resistance management is injurious to the parties concerned and, hence, that resistance is perceived not as a problem but as an exploitable asset. If correct, this hypothesis yields the prediction that the action necessary for resistance management will be taken when such action is judged to be economically efficient. The establishment of the Rodenticide Resistance Action Committee indicates that this time may be approaching.     

An efficacy test of cholecalciferol plus diphacinone rodenticide baits for California voles (Microtus californicus Peale) to replace ineffective chlorophacinone baits

California voles cause damage to pastures and rangelands, orchards and nurseries, and a wide variety of field crops, including artichokes. The anticoagulant rodenticides (chlorophacinone and diphacinone) typically used for voles are becoming less effective in controlling their populations. Consequently, there is a need to identify new rodenticides that will have a high efficacy on California voles so that agricultural production losses to rodents can be substantially reduced. We tested a new formulation containing two active ingredients (cholecalciferol and diphacinone) as a control method for California voles. Both a pelleted bait and an oil-coated artichoke bract bait were very palatable and efficacious against wild-caught, captive California voles. Efficacy levels of 70%–80% were achieved in the two-choice feeding trials. Additionally, the days-to-death (5–6 days) were less than the time-to-death with anticoagulant only baits. We recommend that a field efficacy study be conducted with cholecalciferol plus diphacinone bait formulations to determine their field performance in the reduction of agricultural damage by California voles.     

Large-scale identification of rodenticide resistance in Rattus norvegicus and Mus musculus in the Netherlands based on Vkorc1 codon 139 mutations

BACKGROUND

Resistance to rodenticides has been reported globally and poses a considerable problem for efficacy in pest control. The most-documented resistance to rodenticides in commensal rodents is associated with mutations in the Vkorc1 gene, in particular in codon 139. Resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides has been reported in the Netherlands since 1989. A study from 2013 showed that 25% of 169 Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) had a mutation at codon 139 of the Vkorc1 gene. To gain insight in the current status of rodenticide resistance amongst R. norvegicus and house mice Mus musculus in the Netherlands, we tested these rodents for mutations in codon 139 of the Vkorc1 gene. In addition, we collected data from pest controllers on their use of rodenticides and experience with rodenticide resistance.

RESULTS

A total of 1801 rodent samples were collected throughout the country consisting of 1404 R. norvegicus and 397 M. musculus. In total, 15% of R. norvegicus [95% confidence interval (CI): 13–17%] and 38% of M. musculus (95% CI: 33–43%) carried a genetic mutation at codon 139 of the Vkorc1 gene.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates genetic mutations at codon 139 of the Vkorc1 gene in M. musculus in the Netherlands. Resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides is present in R. norvegicus and M. musculus in multiple regions in the Netherlands. The results of this comprehensive study provide a baseline and facilitate trend analyses of Vkorc1 codon 139 mutations and evaluation of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies as these are enrolled in the Netherlands. © 2022 The Dutch Pest and Wildlife. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

The control of mole,water vole and muskrat with phosphine1

The number of rodenticides for control of outdoor rodents and the number of uses of the remaining products is declining. Phosphine is valued highly because it causes no secondary poisoning and is considered to be environmentally safe. Although it has been used against mole (Talpa europaea) and water vole (Arvicola terrestris) in some countries for decades, in other countries a breakthrough is more recent. The development of a new formulation, generating phosphine rapidly, may also contribute to a wider use. In the Netherlands investigations have been undertaken on the mode of application against mole and water vole. Experiments against muskrats (Ondathra zibethicus) show promising results. The use of phosphine against this rodent could save on labour considerably, when compared to trapping.     

Comparison of dose responses and resistance ratios in four populations of the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), to 20 insecticides

BACKGROUND: Chemical control is a major strategy for suppressing the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker). Owing to their high toxicity and increasing resistance development in the target insect, many insecticides will be phased out entirely in 2007 in China. Alternatives with relatively low toxicity are urgently needed to replace traditional chemicals for rice stem borer control. In this study, the authors examined four field populations of C. suppressalis for their toxicological responses to more than 20 insecticides, including a few low-toxicity organophosphates and many novel pesticides. Interpopulation resistance levels to 12 conventional insecticides were also compared. RESULTS: Based on LD(50) values, the rice stem borer was most sensitive to avermectins and fipronil (LD(50) < 1 ng larva(-1)). The stem borers exhibited the least sensitivity to endosulfan (LD(50) > 100 ng larva(-1)) and monosultap (LD(50) > 1000 ng larva(-1)). Insect growth regulators and chitin synthase inhibitors showed great efficacy against C. suppressalis, especially against populations that had developed resistance to conventional insecticides. Four field populations showed variable tolerance levels to many insecticides. LYG05 was the most susceptible population, only with a low level of resistance to monosultap (RR = 6.6). NC05 and GL05 populations exhibited intermediate tolerance levels with RR values up to 20.4 and 52.8 respectively. RA05 was the most resistant population to many insecticides, with resistance ratios up to 76.2. CONCLUSION: The results from this study provide valuable information for selection and adoption of new alternative insecticides and for resistance management of the rice stem borer.     

中国湛江市和哈尔滨市褐家鼠种群遗传结构及其年度变化特征

为探索褐家鼠Rattus norvegicus地理种群的遗传结构及其年度变化特点,本研究以广东省湛江市的褐家鼠指名亚种和黑龙江省哈尔滨市的褐家鼠东北亚种为主要研究对象,结合我国及世界其他褐家鼠种群的D-loop序列分析这2个褐家鼠地理种群间D-loop序列的遗传分化情况及系统进化关系,重点分析2008-2015年褐家鼠...     

Anticoagulant resistance in Europe: Appraisal of the data from the 1992 EPPO questionnaire

Resistance to the first successful anticoagulant rodenticide, warfarin, was detected in the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus Berk.) in 1958, and it has since expanded to cover other commensal rodent species (R. rattus L., Mus musculus L.) and the majority of later-developed anticoagulant compounds. The purpose of this paper is to give an up-to-date picture of the current distribution of anticoagulant resistance in Europe, as revealed by the questionnaire dispatched by EPPO (European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization) to its member countries in 1992. Replies were received from 13 countries (43% of EPPO members), and it was found that broad-spectrum resistance occurred in practically all those countries that reported testing activity. A likely conclusion based on this finding is that true distribution of resistance is certainly more extensive than documented by the questionnaire replies. Another conclusion drawn by the EPPO Rodent Control Panel was that the existing resistance detection protocols were no longer adequate to cover the whole array of existing anticoagulant rodenticides. Consequently, a new guideline including novel methods particularly for detecting resistance to single-dose anticoagulant compounds was urgently needed. This guideline is currently under review.     

Monitoring the Exposure of Barn Owls to Second-Generation Rodenticides in Southern Eire

In an extensive field study conducted over five counties in southern Eire during the winter of 1988–89, 19 Barn Owl (Tyto alba) roosts and/or nests were located. The local farmers and landowners within about a one-mile radius of the Barn Owl sites were surveyed concerning their use of rodenticides and observations of any secondary rodenticide toxicity effects. Regurgitated owl pellets were collected: (a) for dissection and prey analysis, and (b) for chemical analysis to determine residues of the second-generation rodenticides, brodifacoum, difenacoum and flocoumafen. Most farmers interviewed used rodenticide baits (73%), and almost all (92%) stated that they took precautions to protect domestic and wild non-target animals. The four rodent species, brown rat, wood mouse, house mouse and bank vole provided 83% of the Barn Owl diet, and birds contributed another 12%. At least 97% of the 89 pellets analysed contained less than the limit of determination of the three second-generation rodenticides, 0·01–0·02 mg kg⁻¹ of each isomer. Apparent residues in the remainder were likely to be the result of interference from co-extracted material. These results indicated that during the monitoring period, none of the owls studied was exposed to significant residues of these rodenticides in their prey.