Risk assessment of birds foraging terrestrially at Marion and Gough Islands to primary and secondary poisoning by rodenticides

Efforts are now commonplace to rid islands of introduced rodents but what of the indigenous non-target species that might be affected? Observations on terrestrially foraging birds at Marion and Gough Islands in the Southern Ocean that are overun with alien house mice show that three indigenous land bird species will be at risk from either [...]

Alternatives to brodifacoum and 1080 for possum and rodent control—how and why?

The risks of vertebrate pesticides to non-target animals are determined by intrinsic susceptibility, the toxicokinetics of the compounds used, and the degree and frequency of exposure. Metabolism and persistence studies coupled with field surveys have provided us with an improved understanding of the toxicokinetics and non-target effects of different anticoagulants. This has enabled improved choice [...]

The successful eradication of introduced roof rats (Rattus rattus) from Buck Island using diphacinone, followed by an irruption of house mice (Mus musculus)

The United States National Park Service and the United States Wildlife Services made a planned and sustained effort to eradicate the introduced roof rats (Rattus rattus) from Buck Island Reef National Monument in the Caribbean Sea during 1998?2000. The rats were causing substantial damage to a variety of the 80-ha island?s floral and faunal resources. [...]

Risk assessment of rodenticide use in New Zealand: An overview

Broad-scale field application of vertebrate pesticides in NZ is internationally conspicuous. However the risks of such activities are not taken lightly. Use patterns reflect a balance between managing the severe impacts of invasive species on unique biodiversity and agricultural values, and the adverse effects of management techniques. An ongoing and rigorous regulatory framework governing the [...]

Eradication of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus and house mouse (Mus musculus) from Motuihe Island, New Zealand

Motuihe Island is located within the Waitemata Harbour, Auckland, New Zealand. Mice (Mus musculus) and Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) were introduced to this island at an unknown date. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and feral house cats (Felis catus) are present. Most of the island is a pastoral farm. Past anecdotal records of rats and mice suggest [...]

Evaluation and Cost-effectiveness of Strychnine for Control of Populations of Wild House Mice (Mus domesticus) in Victoria

The efficacy and cost-effectiveness of strychnine baiting was tested at sowing in May–June 1994 in two cereal-grain-growing regions of Victoria, when numbers of house mice (Mus domesticus) were high (up to 1000 mice ha-1 in the Mallee) and moderate (100–250 mice ha-1 in the Wimmera). In each region, there were four replicates of baited and [...]

Evaluation of secondary poisoning hazards to ferrets and weka from the rodenticide coumatetralyl

We investigated the secondary poisoning hazards of the rodenticide coumatetralyl to a predatory and scavenging mammal and bird. Wistar rats, which had been poisoned with Racumin® baits containing 375 ppm coumatetralyl, were fed to 10 captive ferrets (Mustela furo) and 10 weka (Gallirallus australis) for 3 consecutive days. Nine ferrets ate 764 ± 95 g [...]

Behaviour, coagulopathy and pathology of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) poisoned with brodifacoum

Brodifacoum is a second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide used widely for controlling brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand. We determined its toxic effects on possums to make inferences about the welfare of brodifacoum-poisoned possums. Caged possums were fed a lethal dose of brodifacoum in cereal baits then either bled and killed 4, 8, 12, 16 or [...]

Longevity of zinc phosphide on wheat bait in tropical Australia

The longevity of zinc phosphide (ZP) on whole wheat bait (2.5% A.I.) was determined at the end of the ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ seasons at Kununurra, Western Australia, the time when rats can damage agricultural crops. While the total rainfall during the two trials was 74 mm and 155 mm, substantial loss of ZP was recorded [...]

Zinc phosphide

Zinc phosphide is used throughout the world for the control of a range of animals, including mice, rats, voles, ground squirrels, prairie dogs, nutria, muskrats, rabbits and gophers in agriculture. In Australia, zinc phosphide is used extensively for controlling mouse populations in grain crops. Additional use under permit for the control of rat populations has [...]

Mouse monitoring and baiting

Information on mouse biology and behaviour, the diseases that can be transmitted by mice, rodenticides and their use, alternative mouse control strategies, and best farm management practices for mouse control.

Serum calcium levels in response to cholecalciferol and calcium carbonate in the Australian brushtail possum