Rodent Damage and Control in Wheat Growing Stages, Sohag Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

odent survey and damage of wheat tillers were done, at different growing stages, in three locations within Sohag Governorate, Egypt. The Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus, was the common species with 434 individuals, followed by Rattus rattus, with showing 348 individuals, while the Arvicunthus niloticus was 138 individuals. Maximum damage was recorded at wheat maturity stage. Three formulations of zinc phosphide 0.5% (A-zinc phosphide, B-zinc phosphide mixed with peanut butter and C-zinc phosphide mixed with egg) were applied simultaneously to three growth stages of wheat crop in order to break bait shyness to zinc phosphide and use it several times. The three formulas (A, B and C) caused average rodent population reduction of 73.6 %, 76.36 % and 86.21 %, respectively. Results concluded that zinc phosphide mixed with egg has more potential in enhancing bait acceptance, followed by zinc phosphide mixed with peanut butter. Both baits could be included in rodent control programs.

Seasonal distribution of rodent species on citrus farms in Sohag region, Egypt

“…These results are supported by those obtained bySoliman et al (2017),Desoky and Baghdadi (2019) in Sohag governorate andBaghdadi (2006) and Abd El-Galil (2019) in Assiut governorate, who found that R. r. frugivorus was the most presented species. While results differ from thoseAhmed et al (2019) in Sohag governorate, Egypt.…”