Palatability and efficacy of RB soft bag formulated baits in controlling house mouse and Norway rat in mills and storage facilities of agricultural products

Abstract

House mouse, black and grey rat are the most important pest rodents in storage facilities and cause a 5% loss of the overall world food production. Control of rodent number in agricultural storage facilities is undertaken only after its presence has been registered. Preparations used to control rodents need to meet palatability requirements, i.e. stimulate rodents to choose baits rather than food available in abundance. Experiments were conducted in Omoljica mills and Starčevo storage facilities following the standard EPPO method. Palatability and efficacy of RB formulated baits containing bromadiolone and brodifacoum as active substances were tested against the house mouse in wheat mills and flour packaging and storing buildings and the Norway rat around mills and food storage facilities. Palatability and efficacy was calculated according to Abbott's formula. The results showed that palatability and efficacy of RB soft bag formulations (96-100%) was substantially high especially of brodifacoum-based baits.

Keywords

• mus musculus
• rattus norvegicus
• rb soft bag formulation
• palatability
• efficacy
• storage facilities