Environmental influence on urban rodent bait consumption |
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Authors: | Matteo Patergnani Lapo Mughini Gras Giovanni Poglayen Aldo Gelli Fernando Pasqualucci Marco Farina Laura Stancampiano |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Environment, Municipality of Bologna, Piazza Liber Paradisus, 10, 40129 Bologna, Italy;(2) Department of Veterinary Public Health and Animal Pathology, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy;(3) Colkim s.r.l., Via Piemonte, 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy; |
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Abstract: | Anticoagulant poisoning is a common rodent control method in urban areas, but rodents may exhibit versatile feeding behavioural
habits in varying environmental conditions. This study has been conducted to determine those environmental factors that could
directly influence bait consumption and which therefore may affect an urban rodent control plan carried out with chemical
methods. In the city of Bologna (Italy), 2500 bait stations have been monitored in various urban biotopes and the bait consumption
studied in relation to several environmental factors, using both bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results reveal that
the rodent patch distribution triggers the avoidance of baits placed outside of their home-range, hence the importance on
bait placement. The logistic regression model confirms that vegetation, harbourage and water supplies are important variables
in determining bait consumption, probably because they may spatially and temporarily facilitate the agoraphobic rodent movement,
ensuring undisturbed bait consumption. The role of predators (dogs and cats) and food competitors (synanthropic birds) remains
insignificant. However, bait eating invertebrates may consume part of the bait. For a proper rodent control plan the first
real need is to minimize the alternative food sources, which may compete with baits. Weather conditions in which rodents could
possibly pass unnoticed (fog and rainfall) may encourage bait consumption, vice versa with a cold climate. The considered
environmental factors have satisfactorily explained bait consumption, highlighting the importance of human influence. The
study of environmental factors may be useful in categorizing several site-specific conditions where rodent control efforts
should be targeted, enhancing any intervention by matching the correct and specific strategy. |
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