Aluminium phosphide is one of the most abused fumigant, most often making 3g tablet in to two pieces and applying in rodent burrows with utter disregard to the safety of the operator. Such an action makes immediate release of lethal phosphine gas affecting the operator. In view of this, a 0.6g pellet of this fumigant @ two per active burrow is recommended for rodent control. Further, this fumigant is restricted for use under the technical supervision of competent technical personnel. Efforts are under slow pace to develop 1.5g formulation for rodent burrow fumigation.
Anticoagulants delay anticoagulant action and won’t induce bait shyness since no immediate effect is felt by the rodents. among the rodent species and hence could be used for effective rodent control. Hence, application of anticoagulants would tackle both neophobia and bait shyness problems. Coumatetralyl TP, a first generation anticoagulant is used in cereal mixed baits at 0.0375% mostly in storage/domestic situations. Lower toxicity level, chronic action and availability of vitamin K? antidote made it as an effective anticoagulant in residential premises.
However, it is not available in market. Bromadiolone, a second generation anticoagulant is recommended under IPM packages for rodent control in field situations as well as in storage/domestic situations. It is recommended in cereal baits at 0.005% a.i. and very effective when used with bait stations. It is also recommended in ready-to-use formulation to tackle rodent infestations in plantation crops and in storage. Efforts are in progress to bring out new molecules of anticoagulants. Difethiolone, a hydroxy-coumarin derivative exhibited promising field results with lesser LD? and short kill.
However, reports on predator mortality and secondary/accidental toxicity with these new generation anticoagulants evoked second thinking among scientific fraternity on introducing newer second-generation anticoagulants.
Application Technology
Irrespective of the method used to tackle the commendal rodent populations, the effictiveness depends on the method of application. Placement of traps, bait material plays significant role since commensal rodents are thiegmotactic in nature. Further, baiting through bait stations are effective since rodents readily enter inside and consume the baits. Fine-tuning of application technology is very essential for effective rodent management with least environmental contamination/hazards.
Research and Development
Although research is in progress to evolve new methodologies for effective rodent management by ICAR All India Network Project on Rodent Control, the work is mostly restricted to field rodents. There is a dire need for research covering the urban areas and to develop technologies suited for effective rodent management with least environmental effects. The Structural Pest Management Industry may consider extending funding for some such identified projects.
Status of structural pest management industry
The contribution of structural pest management industry is very significant in the present scenario. It is essential to have competent technical personnel to plan and implement the rodent management at clients’ place. There is also a need to have trained contingent of operators, on whose capability the result will depend. Scientific expertise on rodent control is very much limited in India. The National Institute of Plant health management took initiative of capacity building for professionals of Structural Pest Management industry to provide qualified planners in Urban Integrated Pest Management.
Similarly efforts are under progress to accord fine tune the curriculum and extend accreditation of capacity building programs conducted by Structural Pest Management Associations given to the Pest Control Operators in india. Secondly, the review on the available rodent management technology for commensal rodents suggests strongly a need for the industry to have R&D to the extent possible to tackle the ever increasing problem. Such an effort will make the industry to face challenging situations in rodent pest management
References
Hadler, M.R. and Buckle, A.P. 1992. Forty years of anticoagulant rodenticides – past, present and future trends. Proc. 15th Vertebrate Pest Conference, Davis, pp. 149-155.
Mohan Rao, A.M.K. and Balasubramanyam, M 1992. The mice Mus. Spp. In: Rodents in Indian Agriculture. (Ed. Prakash, I. And Ghosh, PK) Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur, 147-164.
Mohan Rao, A.M.K. 1992. Changing scenario of rodents in India. In: National Seminar on changing scenario in pest Management in India. (Ed. Rao, M V B and Sharma, H C) Hyderabad, 203-208.
Mohan Rao, A.M.K., 1992. Integrated rodent pest management. In: Rodents in Indian Agriculture (Prakash, I and Ghosh, P.K. Ed.), Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur, 651-658.
Mohan Rao, A.M.K., 1992. Rodent problems in India and strategies for their management. In: Rats, Mice and People: Rodent Biology and Management (Eds. Singleton, GR., Krebs, CJ and Spratt, DM), ACIAR, Canberra: 229-232.
Rana, B.D. and Tripathi, R.S. 1999. Recent advances in coordinated Research on Rodent Control. Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, 48 pp.
