A long-term study of Rattus norvegicus in the London Borough of Enfield using baiting returns as an indicator of sewer population levels

Abstract

This is a long-term study that investigates the dynamics of a population of Rattus norvegicus (Berk) inhabiting a sewerage system in London. Thirteen years (1986/7-1998/9) of data from sewer baiting records were analysed (a total of 35,478 records). Manholes were baited with the anticoagulant Brodifacoum (0.005%) on a pinhead oatmeal bait base. Time series analysis was conducted on the data set to determine the underlying trend of the data and the population fluctuations about this trend. An exponential curve was found to give an accurate and realistic fit to the data and indicated that the rat population had decreased over the study period. Decomposition analysis indicated a 5-year cycle best described fluctuations around this trend.

Habitat preferences and distribution of the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus Berk.) in the city of Salzburg (Austria): implications for an urban rat management

“…However, it can also be found in dry areas like waste disposal sites, stables and silos, dirty yards with trash cans, animal enclosures in yards or gardens and slaughterhouses (Lore and Schultz 1989;Voigt 1995). In buildings, the rat is mostly present in damp, cool rooms such as basements of old as well as new buildings (Endepols 1996;Engelbrecht and Reichmuth 1997;Macdonald et al 1999;Channon et al 2000). Further, it has also been shown to populate canteen kitchens, sewage plants and deserted buildings.…”

“…Only a few of the annual approximately 24,000 publications about brown rats deal with the behaviour and ecology of wild populations (Calhoun 1962;Lore and Schultz 1989;Brunton 1995;Channon et al 2000). Especially studies about rat populations in cities are very rare (MacDonald et al 1999).…”

“…Through constant use of poison it is impossible to eliminate a rat population or to control it on a long-term basis (Channon et al 2000). The uncontrolled use of anticoagulants, as it was practiced in Austria for decades, poses various dangers for the residents of the city as well as for the urban wildlife and pets.…”

Introducing GIS-modelling into the management of a brown rat (Rattus norvegicus Berk.) (Mamm. Rodentia Muridae) population in an urban habitat

“…However, it can also be found in dry areas like waste disposal sites, stables and silos, dirty yards with trashcans, animal enclosures in yards or gardens, and slaughterhouses (Lore and Schultz 1989;Voigt 1995). In buildings, the rat is mostly found in damp, cold rooms such as basements (Endepols 1996;Engelbrecht and Reichmuth 1997;Macdonald et al 1999;Channon et al 2000). Further, it can also be found near canteen kitchens, sewage plants and deserted buildings.…”

Techniques to Estimate Abundance and Monitoring Rodent Pests in Urban Environments

“…There is a growing number of studies that estimate abundance with the record of signs. For example, bait stations were used in drains to estimate the population abundance of R. norvegicus in Enfield City, England (Channon et al, 2000) and the record of rat bites in patients in the hospitals of New York were used to determine areas with different outbreak risk (Childs et al, 1998). In another study the possible causes of rats and mice infestation in dwellings (Langton et al, 2001) were determined by recording the signs of rodent activity obtained during an inspection of 17100 dwellings in different regions of England.…”