Rodent behaviour in relation to baiting techniques1

The use of poison baits is still the most important control method against commensal as well as field rodents. The baiting techniques used must be adapted to the ecology and behaviour of the target species. The various aspects of rodent behaviour influencing the effect of a control operation are discussed with emphasis on feeding behaviour, exploratory behaviour, neophobia, bait shyness, transporting, hoarding and territoriality. Advantages and disadvantages of sustained versus pulsed baiting techniques are discussed from a behavioural point of view.     

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.     

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     

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.     

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.     

Towards a best practice methodology for the detection of Phytophthora species in soils

The genus Phytophthora contains species that are major pathogens worldwide, affecting a multitude of plant species across agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and natural ecosystems. Here, we concentrate on those species that are dispersed through soil and water, attacking the roots of the plants, causing them to rot and die. The intention of this study was to compare the soil baiting protocol developed by the Centre for Phytophthora Science and Management (CPSM) with two other baiting methods used in Australia. The aim was to demonstrate the effectiveness of each protocol for soil baiting Phytophthora species in different substrates. Three experiments were conducted: the first to test the sensitivity of each method to detect Phytophthora cinnamomi, the second to test the effect of substrate type (sand or loam), and the third to test the detection of species (P. cinnamomi, P. multivora, or P. pseudocryptogea). The specificity of different plant species baits was compared within and between the methods. Substrate type influenced isolation in all methods; however, the CPSM method was superior regardless of substrate, albeit slower than one of the other methods for one substrate. Comparing bait species between the three methods, Quercus ilex was the most attractive bait for P. cinnamomi, particularly in the CPSM method. The choice of protocol affected the isolation associated with each bait type. Overall, the multiple bait system used by CPSM was shown to provide the most sensitive and reliable detection of Phytophthora species from soil samples.     

Controlling yellow jackets with fipronil-based protein baits in urban recreational areas

ABSTRACT

The western yellow jacket, Vespula penyslvanica (Saussare), is a serious seasonal pest of outdoor venues in the western United States. In the spring, queens and low numbers of workers were captured in heptyl-butyrate-baited traps until early July, when the number of foragers dramatically increased. Microsatellite data suggest that 18 colonies were actively foraging within the park in 2012. Foragers from 11 different colonies were collected at one trap site. In 2012 and 2013, sufficient numbers of foragers were not captured until early August when baiting trials were initiated. Baits were prepared with canned chicken mixed with fipronil for a final concentration of 0.025%. In 2012, a single baiting provided >96% reduction of foragers for at least two months. A second baiting late in the season provided >80% reductions. In 2013, one baiting trial resulted in a 74% and a 93% reduction. A bait acceptance study was conducted in 2014 to test a bait consisting of the juices from canned chicken and 0.025% fipronil incorporated into a hydrogel, and provided a much longer lasting bait in the field.     

The effect of dextromethorphan in preventing cholecalciferol-induced poison shyness and sickness-induced anorexia in the laboratory Norway rat

BACKGROUND: Overcoming bait and poison shyness is critical to the success of pest control operations against rats and other rodents. The authors hypothesized that the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor blocker, dextromethorphan, could prevent the acquired memory of sickness and sickness-induced anorexia resulting from rodents eating poisoned bait. RESULTS: Cholecalciferol (1/4 LD(50)) was mixed with dextromethorphan and fed to rats on two 2 day sessions, with an 18 day break in between. Dextromethorphan did not prevent poison shyness; during the second poisoning period, both the cholecalciferol only and the cholecalciferol plus dextromethorphan groups had lower intakes of the bait compared with the control and dextromethorphan only groups. In addition to the previously recorded symptoms of cholecalciferol poisoning, the rats in this trial were observed to have nose bleeds, weepy eyes, laboured breathing and, in the case of the cholecalciferol only treated group, a period of decreased water intake followed by a period of increased water intake. There was also a period of increased water intake in the cholecalciferol plus dextromethorphan group.CONCLUSION: Dextromethorphan failed to prevent poison shyness and the anorectic effect of cholecalciferol. However, it did reduce anorexia from 17 days in the cholecaliferol group to 8 days in the cholecalciferol plus dextromethorphan group.     

柑橘大实蝇诱杀方法研究及防治效果初步评估

通过对柑橘大实蝇诱捕器悬挂高度及悬挂方位的效果比较,结果表明,诱捕器在树冠中层悬挂最为合适,与悬挂高度无关;诱捕器在阴面或者平地北面效果最好,阳面最差。诱杀柑橘大实蝇的合适配方为5%橙汁 5%水解蛋白 5%酒或5%红糖液 5%橙汁 5%水解蛋白。在柑橘大实蝇不同防治方法中,结合防治效果、成本及生态影响评估结果表明,诱杀方法最为合适。     

An in-situ baiting bioassay for detecting Phytophthora species in irrigation runoff containment basins

Experiments were conducted in irrigation runoff containment basins to assess the effects of bait species ( Camellia japonica , Ilex crenata or Rhododendron catawbiense ), bait type (whole leaf vs. leaf disc), baiting duration (1, 2, 7 or 14 days), baiting depth and growth media (modified PARP-V8 or PARPH-V8) on the recovery of Phytophthora species. A two-rope, flexible bait-deployment system was compared with a one-rope fixed system for bait stability at designated locations and depths. A total of 907 Phytophthora isolates were subjected to PCR-based single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis to identify to species level. Seven distinct SSCP patterns representing six morphospecies: P. citricola (Cil I), P. citrophthora (Cip I), P. hydropathica (Hyd), P. insolita (Ins), P. megasperma (Meg I & II) and an unidentified Phytophthora species were identified. Irrespective of culture medium, 7 days of baiting with rhododendron leaves consistently resulted in the recovery of the greatest diversity and populations of Phytophthora species with minimum interference from Pythium species. The flexible bait-deployment system was superior to the fixed system, minimizing the risk of bait loss and dislocation of baiting units and allowing baits to remain at designated depths from the surface under inclement weather.     

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.     

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。     

The efficacy of two permanent poison-baiting measures against Mus domesticus living in farm buildings in the UK1

The effectiveness of two poison bait formulations was examined in trials against infestations of Mus domesticus in farm buildings. Treatment was extensive on each of four farms, covering all buildings and lasting 1 year. In the four trials, bait containing calciferol and warfarin in combination, or difenacoum was used. Mouse infestation level was monitored, using the mark-recapture trapping technique, before poison-baiting was begun and every 6 weeks thereafter. Poison bait consumption was high initially and mouse numbers were substantially reduced on all four farms within 6 weeks. Subsequently, the difenacoum treatments were the most effective in keeping infestation levels extremely low. Mice still resident when the treatments were terminated were removed by live and kill traps. Laboratory feeding tests were conducted on the live-caught survivors; all animals died after consuming poison bait of the kind used in the trials. Additional live-trapping, 6 months and 1 year later, produced evidence of recolonization and of renewed population growth. It is concluded that sustained control effort is needed to prevent the build-up of M. domesticus numbers in farm buildings.     

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'.     

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%.     

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.     

华北平原旱作区农田害鼠化学防治技术的优化筛选研究

作者研究了不同投饵方式,不同灭鼠季节和不同杀鼠剂的农田灭鼠效果,并研究了溴代毒鼠磷和磷化锌不同浓度与不同投饵量对农田害鼠的灭杀率,筛选出了农田灭鼠优化技术:封锁带式投饵,0.5%溴代毒鼠磷小麦毒饵每堆投饵2克,全年中灭鼠适期为3—4月份。这套优化灭鼠技术较从前采用的灭鼠技术提高了灭效,而且大幅度降低了灭鼠成本。     

华北平原旱作区农田害鼠化学防治技术的优化筛选研究

作者研究了不同投饵方式,不同灭鼠季节和不同杀鼠剂的农田灭鼠效果,并研究了溴代毒鼠磷和磷化锌不同浓度与不同投饵量对农田害鼠的灭杀率,筛选出了农田灭鼠优化技术:封锁带式投饵,0.5%溴代毒鼠磷小麦毒饵每堆投饵2克,全年中灭鼠适期为3-4月份。这套优化灭鼠技术较从前采用的灭鼠技术提高了灭效,而且大幅度降低了灭鼠成本。     

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.     

二点委夜蛾化学防治方法研究

二点委夜蛾是夏玉米区新发生的一种害虫.由于没有行之有效的防治方法,而使其扩展迅速,为害渐趋加重,对夏玉米生产构成严重威胁.为了探索二点委夜蛾的有效防治方法,本试验通过不同化学防治方法对二点委夜蛾的防效进行研究,结果显示:9种供试药剂在二点委夜蛾2龄期进行田间喷雾试验总体防治效果较好,其中50％辛硫磷乳油防治效果高达95.03％,明显高于其他药剂;采取不同的施药方法研究表明,选用有效农药喷雾或配成毒饵、毒土顺垄撒施均有较好的防治效果,其中毒饵、毒土效果最好,而顺垄喷淋灌根防治效果最差,仅为30.10％.