Rodents in storehouses of agricultural products - harmfulness and control

Abstract

Rodents are important pests of stored agricultural products. In addition to meeting basic nutritional needs, harmful species in storehouses find favorable conditions for development and reproduction and protection from natural enemies. The most harmful rodent species in storehouses are rats Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus and the domestic mouse Mus musculus. In addition to feeding on stored products, rodents spoil them, contaminate it with urine, feces, hair and saliva and present natural reservoirs of zoonoses that affect the health of humans and domestic and wild animals. In the Republic of Croatia, the causes of Lyme borreliosis, trichinosis, leptospirosis, Q fever and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome have been proven in populations of small rodents. Infections of rodents with several zoonotic agents have also been identified. Regular monitoring of rodent populations is important for the purpose of timely control and reduction of material losses, but also for the purpose of preventing epidemics of certain zoonoses. In addition to preventive measures that include maintaining the hygiene of the premises and maintaining the infrastructure, which prevent the attraction and settlement of rodents in storehouses, continuous deratization is carried out, which includes the application of mechanical, physical and chemical protection measures.

Keywords

• rattus norvegicus
• rodent control
• rattus rattus
• mus musculus
• zoonoses