Response of wild Mus musculus to baits containing essential oils: I - Cinnamon and clove tested in storage facilities

Abstract

The effect of cinnamon (Cinnamomi zeylanicum) and clove (Eugenia caryophyllata) essential oils on the acceptibility of cereal-based baits to house mice in storage facilities was examined. The effects of three concentrations, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 %, were tested for optimization purposes. The experiments were performed in a mill storage, and in another storage for seeds and seedlings. Attractiveness of the examined concentrations of cinnamon and clove essential oils was statistically significant, compared to placebo bait, within seven days of the experiment. On the seventh day, the average consumption of baits containing 0.75 % and 1 % concentrations of cinnamon oil was 46 % in the mill storage, i.e. 35.5 % more than placebo baits were consumed. Fourteen days after the beginning of the experiment, no significant difference was detected in the consumption of baits offered in the mill storage. On the other hand, a significant difference was revealed regarding the consumption of examined baits in the seed and seedling storage. The average consumption of baits containing 0.75 % and 1 % cinnamon oil was 47 % and 51 % higher after 14 days than the consumption of placebo bait. Compared to the other test baits, those containing cinnamon essential oil at 0.75 % and 1 % concentration demonstrated better attractiveness without mutual statistically significant differences.

Response of wild Mus musculus to baits containing essential oils: II bromadiolone and difenacoum baits with 0.75% cinnamon oil tested in storages

“…Baits were prepared according to EPPO/OEPP (2004a) methodology. Placebo baits and baits containing 0.75 % essential oil of cinnamon (dissolved in 25 ml pure alcohol) were prepared as described in Part I of this article (Jokić et al, 2018). Oil-free baits were made by mixing the appropriate amounts of bromadilone (0.005 %) or difenacoum (0.005 %) bait concentrates with placebo bait and adding 25 ml pure alcohol.…”

“…Based on the current knowledge of potentials of the essential oil of cinnamon, Cinnamoumi zeylanicum (Jokić et al, 2013, Jokić et al, 2018, the present study focused on determining the biological efficacy of bromadiolone and difenacoum baits supplemented with cinnamon essential oil at 0.75 % concentration under practical conditions. Improvements of the acceptability and efficacy of rodenticides in environmentally friendly manner would also be a contribution to rodent pest management control programs by finding an acceptable solution both from the aspect of environment protection and improved quality and safety of food and human health protection.…”