The trap is one of man's oldest devices for animal control. The effectiveness of a trap is usually considered to be determined by extrinsic factors rather than by an animal's behavior. The effect of rodent instinctive and social behavior on trap success is little studied or understood. In considering how behavior studies might affect trap design or placement, aspects of rodent behavior, such as neophobia, dominant and subordinate group relationships, trap approach and contact, and duration of “trap shyness,” deserve attention. With the frequent appearance of new and modified traps, a comparative basis for efficacy evaluation is desirable. General observations on the behavior of a population of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) toward two varieties of traps form the basis for suggestions on an evaluation protocol.
Conditions in urban environments often preclude the use of traditional research methods for determining rodent numbers and thus impede the efficacy determinations on rodenticides in research or management programs. However, in these situations the numbers of active rat burrows before and after bait placement provide a relative population measure. This procedure, used in field trials with Vacor (DLP787) acute rodenticide in selected blocks in Cleveland and Chicago, permitted an estimate to be made of a reduction of Norway rat activity in excess of 85 percent, following the treatment.
Methodology utilized to evaluate the efficacy of the experimental rodenticide bromethalin is described. Test site selection and determination of appropriate census techniques for use in different situations were important to the success of the field trial program. The testing program was divided into the following phases: (1) familiarization period, (2) pretreatment census, (3) pretreatment lag phase, (4) treatment period, (5) posttreatment lag phase, (6) posttreatment census, and (7) snap-trapping. The computerized data handling system used for storage and retrieval of data generated in the field trial program is described. A combination of two or three of the following census techniques was used to evaluate rodent activity before and after toxicant treatment: (1) census feed consumption, (2) tracking activity, (3) burrow activity, (4) dropping counts, (5) live trapping, and (6) water consumption. Overall, percentage reductions in activity values were comparable among census techniques. Tracking activity values were lower than those of other techniques in several house mouse trials, indicating the sensitivity of this method for monitoring mouse activity. A representative Norway rat field trial is presented to illustrate data generated through utilization of the previously described methodology and testing program.
Testing ultrasonic devices for rodent repellency in closed environments results in contradictory responses. Without alternative environments, such efficacy tests cannot approximate actual conditions, and can result in erroneous conclusions. Conducting observations in actual rodent-infested environments provides the best circumstances in which to measure the efficacy of high-frequency sound as a rodent management tool. Ideally, the installation of ultrasonic devices should be the only environmental variable. Rodent activity, measured with tracking patches, food consumption, or motion monitors before and after activation of units, is correlated with sound pressure patterns in the environment. Both frequency and sound pressure are important parameters. Preferably, two on/off cycles should be used.
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