Rats! Foiled Again: A History of Rodent Control Methods Development at the National Wildlife Research Center

Fagerstone, Kathleen A.; Fall, Michael W.; Witmer, Gary W.; Pitt, William C.

doi:10.5070/v425110585

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 110 publications

(96 reference statements)

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“…Traditionally, culling has been used to reduce grey squirrel populations and mitigate their economic and environmental impacts; however, culling can be ineffective, inhumane, expensive or environmentally hazardous. Increased animal welfare and environmental protection legislation, such as the EU Biocides Regulation 528/2012(EU BPR), together with growing public opposition towards lethal methods (Fagerstone 2002; van Eeden et al . 2017), has meant that the number of available and acceptable lethal methods of wildlife control is declining.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors affecting bait uptake by the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and the future delivery of oral contraceptives

Beatham

Coats²,

Stephens³

et al. 2023

Wildlife Res.

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Context. Invasive species negatively affect natural communities and human activities. The grey squirrel is an invasive species in the UK, causing damage to forestry and the decline of the native red squirrel. Oral contraceptives have the potential to reduce numbers of grey squirrels; however, to be effective a sufficient proportion of a population must consume a bait containing contraceptives. Aims. The objective of this study was to estimate the efficacy of delivering baits via feeders to grey squirrels and to determine the factors most important to bait uptake. Methods. Bait uptake was measured using the bait marker Rhodamine B mixed with 100% hazelnut butter and delivered to grey squirrels via purpose-designed feeders. Different concentrations of Rhodamine B were first trialled on captive grey squirrels for their palatability and detectability in the hair. Bait-uptake field trials were then conducted in 10 UK woodlands by using the preferred concentration. Key results. In captive trials, it was found that a concentration of 0.18% Rhodamine B mixed in hazelnut butter was palatable to grey squirrels and that individuals needed to consume only small amounts (<5 g) for it to be detected in the flank hair by using an ultraviolet microscope. It was possible to deliver bait to the majority of grey squirrels in 6 of 10 woods within 4 days. Season, feeder density and squirrel density were important factors affecting bait uptake, with more squirrels consuming bait in summer than in winter and from three feeders per hectare rather than from one per hectare. Conclusions. This study demonstrated that baits delivered via feeders can target the majority of grey squirrels in woodland environments. Implications. Oral contraceptives could offer a cost-effective tool to reduce numbers of grey squirrels across the UK landscape and mitigate the negative impacts they have on native wildlife and tree health.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors affecting bait uptake by the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and the future delivery of oral contraceptives

Beatham

Coats²,

Stephens³

et al. 2023

Wildlife Res.

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“…Мониторинг численности населения городских крыс Учет численности грызунов принято проводить два раза в год для оценки состояний популяций крыс перед началом их размножения (март -апрель) и до вселения грызунов из открытых стаций в строения в период их максимальной численности (октябрь -ноябрь) [15]. Исключения касаются оценки численности крыс после проведения дератизации (анализ эффективности мероприятий) или при постоянной кор-ректировки «горячих точек концентрации крыс» в городах, где проводится их картирование [17] и т.д.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

“…Несмотря на актуальность проблемы выбора единой оценки численности крыс, авторы продолжают использовать разные методы учета животных и их экстраполяции, что приводит к сложностям при сопоставлении результатов научно-исследовательских работ по мониторингу населения грызунов в городах Регуляция численности городских крыс Все мероприятия по снижению численности городского населения крыс делятся на две основные группы: технологии ликвидации местообитаний крыс или уменьшение емкости среды их обитания (постоянные профилактические методы) и технологии прямого уничтожения особей (собственно дератизация, или истребление) [15].…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Estimation of rat population (<i>Rattus norvegicus</i>) and reducing their number in the urban environment

Зорина

Kireeva

2019

Samara Journal of Science

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In the paper the authors consider traditional, modern and promising (at the stage of development and testing) methods of urban Rattus norvegicus population monitoring and activities on its numbers reduction. The analysis of rodent population assessment methods showed the absence of a universal method for determining urban rats number, which would take into account both ecological and biological characteristics of the species and the characteristics of a particular city, the territories of which may differ significantly in the ratio of residential, recreational, industrial and other areas. The main recommendation for monitoring organization is to assess the direction of change in the number of urban rats, determine reduction or increase trends of its population. Measures to reduce rat numbers in urban areas are divided into technologies to reduce the capacity of their habitat (preventive methods) and the actual deratization. A variety of deratization methods and its simultaneous using is not enough for complete extermination of rats in urban environment. High ecological valence of the species, peculiarities of human habitat and vital activity (including safety of people and non-target groups of animals) and other factors with low degree of prognosis (predetermination) lead to the absence of effective universal models of rats elimination in the cities of Russia and abroad. According to population biology, the task of reducing the number is not just to reduce it, but to prevent the explosion - the moment when generations of young rats come into reproduction (for most regions - this is midsummer). Acting on the rat population twice a year (May, July), it is possible to stabilize its number at a relatively low level. The main difficulties in the standardization of measures and preparation of regulations for the control of rats number in the urban environment are listed.

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Rodenticides

Semino

2023

Patty's Toxicology

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Rodenticides are chemicals used for the control of mammal pests, particularly commensal rats and mice but also a variety of field rodents. There are many different active ingredient s ( AI s) used as rodenticides and they vary widely in the hazard they present. They are mainly used in baits and to limited extent applied as fumigant. Rodenticides used in baits are broadly classified into two categories: anticoagulants and nonanticoagulant acute poisons. Rodent pest control worldwide relies largely on the use of anti‐vitamin K (AVK) anticoagulants. They interfere with the activation of vitamin K, a critical component in the production of blood clotting factors in the liver. The anticoagulants are themselves separated into first‐generation (much more toxic when feeding occurs on several successive days rather than on 1 day only) and second‐generation chemicals (which can kill after a single night feeding and tend to remain in animal tissues longer than do first‐generation ones). Nonanticoagulant rodenticides act through various mechanism of action. Bromethalin poisons the central nervous system (CNS) and ultimately causes respiratory distress following ingestion of a single dose. Cholecalciferol, the biologically active form of vitamin D, induces hypercalcemia (elevated blood calcium levels), which ultimately results in heart problems and kidney failure. Zinc phosphide liberates toxic phosphine gas upon interaction with stomach acid, leading to rodent mortality within few hours from ingestion. Except for Alphachloralose for mice control, the other rodenticides, formally referred to as the acute toxicants (e.g., arsenic, red squill, and phosphorus) are either no longer registered or of little importance in commensal rodent control. Products containing substances applied by fumigation (like carbon dioxide, hydrogen cyanide, and aluminum phosphide) are strictly reserved for rodent control professionals. As rodenticides are generally nonselective animal poisons, they carry a few serious risks to other vertebrate species and are frequently the cause of unintended consequences, from the stench of rodents decomposing in the walls to poisonings of nontarget organisms. Primary poisoning can result from wild birds and pets, while secondary poisoning of birds and mammals (including dogs and cats) can accompany the ingestion of poisoned rodents. Human incident data sources report numerous incidents, especially involving children less than 6 years old, so that human exposure to rodenticides may result in severe outcomes and/or medical care. Therefore in the last two decades, risk mitigation measures ( RMM ) and integrated pest management ( IPM ) strategies have been adopted worldwide. These measures require rodenticide products used in homes and marketed to general residential consumers to be sold only with bait stations that contain and/or are packaged with a rodenticide bait that is in block or paste form and accredited training programs are carried out for professional use rodenticides. Moreover, regulatory authorities conduct periodical re‐evaluations of registered rodenticides to ensure they meet modern health and safety standards to remain in the market.

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Rats! Foiled Again: A History of Rodent Control Methods Development at the National Wildlife Research Center

Cited by 4 publications

References 110 publications

Factors affecting bait uptake by the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and the future delivery of oral contraceptives

Factors affecting bait uptake by the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and the future delivery of oral contraceptives

Estimation of rat population (<i>Rattus norvegicus</i>) and reducing their number in the urban environment

Rodenticides

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