Rodent management

1. WELCOME

2. RODENT MANAGEMENT ALEX K GEORGE BSF-10-002

3. Most notorious pests of different commodities in the fields as well as when these commodities are stored. Crops like vegetables, oilseeds, cereals etc., At early stage in field, are eaten and contaminated by rats. Transmission of public health diseases Responsible for loss of 1/5 of world’s crop production RODENT PEST

4. A few types of rodents Rats Mice Squirrels Chipmunks Woodchucks

5. COMMON SPECIES OF RATS Basis of their shelter, rats can broadly be divided in to two groups. House rats B. Field rats House rats : Rattus rattus (House rat) Mus musculus (House mouse) B. Field rats : Bandicota bengalensis (Lesser bandicoot) Tetera omdoca (Indian gerbil) Nesokia indica (Short tail mole rat) Rattus meltoda (Soft fur field rat) Mus booduga (Field mouse) C . Common species of rats found in both field as well as houses Rattus norgegicus ( Norvey rat) Rattus rattus rufescens Bandicota indica (Large bandicoots)

6. The House Rat, Rattus rattus The House Mouse, Mus musculus Indian field mouse, Mus booduga The Indian Gerbil, Tatera indica Soft furred field rat, Millardia meltada Rodent species

7. A COMPARISON OF RODENT SPECIES

8. COMMON TRAITS OF RODENTS Nocturnal in habit Excellent swimmers Good climbers Good sense of smell and hearing Can gnaw through materials like lead, sheathing, aluminium, wood, wiring, etc Can enter through very small openings

9. Rodents are like breeding machines ……….. Biology Life span : 1-3 years Age at puberty : 6-16 weeks Oestrous cycle : 3-7 days Duration of heat : 9-24 hours Mating habit : Promiscuous Gestation period : 18-30 days Breeding season : Round the year Litter size : 1-22 Post - partum heat : 4-96 hours Breeding potential /pair/year : 800-1500 Habits Mostly nocturnal Can not vomit Omnivorous and cannibalistic Neophobic / Neophilic

10. 10 January December One pregnant mouse May September Stopping one mouse does a lot! 650 40 1 One mouse, one year… 4,500

11. DISEASES TRANSMITTED TO MAN Plague Murine Typhus Rickettsial pox Salmonellosis Rat bite fever Weils disease Hanta virus Typhoid Dysentery

12. Crop Extent of loss (%) Rodent pest species Habitat/distribution of species Rice 1.1- 44.5 Bandicota bengalensis Millardia meltada Mus booduga Rattus nitidus Rattus rattus brunneusculus Irrigated fields Semi irrigated fields Irrigated fields Jhum fields in north east Jhum fields in Mizoram Wheat 2.7 - 21.3 Bandicota bengalensis Millardia meltada Tatera indica Meriones hurrianae Irrigated fields Irrigated dry fields Rainfed fields Desert soils in Indian desert Groundnut 2.9 - 7.3 Tatera indica Millardia meltada Bandicota bengalensis Irrigated dry fields Irrigated dry fields Irrigated fields Coconut 4.5 - 55 Rattus rattus Throughout India Cocoa 30-50 Rattus rattus wroughtoni Funambulus palmarum Funambulus tristriatus South India Andhra Pradesh & Tamilnadu Kerala and Karnataka Storage 2.5 Rattus rattus Mus musculus Residential premises and farm level storage Extent crop loss due to rodent pests, pests species and their distribution in India

13. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT 3. Exclusion (rodent proofing) a. Trapping programs b. Baiting programs 1. Rodent inspections 2. Sanitation 4. Population reduction c. Predation d. Cultural practices

14. 1. Signs of Rodent Infestation Droppings Tracks Gnawing Damage Burrows

15. Runways Grease Marks Urine Stains

16. Live Or Dead Rodents Sounds Of Rodents Rodent Odors

17. Rodents nest outdoors in areas hidden by tall grass, landscaping, “clutter” or down in sewers.

18. Rodent Gnawing

19. Found near grain or bait stored in walls Found near dead animals or trash Indicator Pests Blow Fly Hide Beetle Grain Beetle Indian Meal Moth

20. 2. SANITATION Elimination of potential rodent harborages Proper removal of trash and garbage piles Removal of grass, weeds and undesirable vegetation Proper storage practices to allow cleaning inspection

21. 3. EXCLUSION Use coarse steel wool, sheet metal, hardware cloth, mortar, etc for sealing openings Seal all openings greater than 1/4 “ for mice and 1/2 “ for rats Use 12 inches of a 24 gauge sheet metal at the bottom of doors

22. 22 Prevention and control: Exclusion For a hole, crack, or gap… Stuff it Seal it Check it often

23. EFFECTIVE RODENT MANGEMENT IN TREES AND PALMS

24. Infestation is small and chemical control like poison baiting, fumigation is impracticable. Types of traps viz., Cage traps, Wooden traps, Wire traps, Snap traps Bamboo traps. Bandicoot trap Double mouth sure success trap Union trap .The traps should be cleaned by water after each installation and fresh and attractive bait materials like breads, fruits etc. Should be used. a. Traps 4. POPULATION REDUCTION

25. Snap Traps Multiple Catch Mechanical Traps Glue Boards TRAPS

26. MULTIPLE-CATCH RODENT TRAPS

27. PLACEMENT OF TRAPS

28. This group is generally used to kill the rats with various rodenticides . The rodenticides can be divided in to two groups Single dose poison: This group comprises acute poison which kill the rats by single exposure to poison baits. Ex. zinc phosphide Multiple dose poison: These chemicals are effective only after the multiple feeding of poison baits by rats, because their cumulative effects lead the death of animals. Ex. warfarin , ratanfin , rodafrin , Vacor (RH-782), silmurin and bromadiolone etc. b . POISON BAITING AND FUMIGANTS

29. RODENTICIDES ANTICOAGULANTS First generation - Warfarin - Chlorophacinone - Diphacinone Second Generation - Brodifacoum eg.Talon - Bromadiolone eg.Maki

30. RODENTICIDES NON-ANTICOAGULANTS Zinc Phosphide Bromethalin eg . Assault, Vengeance Cholecalciferal eg . Quintox (not re-registered)

31. Keys to ensure effective control by poison baits Installation of fresh baits and bait points in rodents high activity area . Placement of enough bait points to ensure better access of rodents to poison baits . Matching the right bait formulation (loose grain baits/ wax blocks/ pellets)

32. FACTORS AFFECTING BAITING PROGRAMS Availability of other food sources Insufficient number of bait placements Poor maintenance of bait stations Avoid moving bait stations once feeding has begun Maintain steady supply of fresh bait.

33. c. Biological Control - Predation 1. Rodents are a food base for hawks, owls, eagles, coyotes, foxes, badgers, etc 2. Help reduce rodent numbers but may not be enough to adequately reduce damage

34. d. Cultural Practices Soil tillage/cultivation Irrigation Crop Rotation Burning / Debris Removal Grazing Management

35. THANK YOU