Integrating ecology and technology to create innovative pest control devices

Abstract

The development of innovative pest management and monitoring tools requires the integration of animal ecology, toxicology and design engineering. Resetting, multi-kill devices offer substantial advantages over current baiting or trapping techniques. This research outlines the development and testing of a longlife, resetting, toxin delivery systems for predator control, which has recently been laboratory and field trialed on stoats (Mustela erminea) and weasels (M. nivalis). Results of laboratory trials showed similar responses to stoats and weasels after a 40% PAPP paste was delivered onto the sternum. Both species groomed the paste off within approximately 4 minutes of application and death occurred after an average of 40 minutes for stoats and 32 minutes for weasels. A pilot field trial was also conducted with proof of concept demonstrated and no non-target interference recorded. Findings provided valuable feedback to design engineers which lead to the development of an improved ‘Mark II’ design. Long-life toxin delivery systems could be deployed to control a variety of pest species and further developments of these tools are ensuring their use for widespread field applications.

Keywords

• Mustela erminea
• para-aminopropiophenone
• resetting toxin delivery systems