Palatability and efficacy to possums and rats of pest control baits containing bird repellents |
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| Authors: | BK Clapperton TD Day DKJ Morgan F Huddart N Cox LR Matthews |
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| Affiliation: | 1. 56 Margaret Avenue, Havelock North, New Zealandkayclapperton@gmail.com;3. AgSystems, AgResearch Ltd, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand (Current address: DKJ Morgan, Applied and Environmental Sciences, NorthTec, Private Bag 9019, Whangarei 0110, New Zealand;4. LR Matthews, Psychology Department, University of Auckland, New Zealand);5. Bioinformatics Maths &6. Stats, AgResearch Ltd, Invermay Research Centre, Mosgiel, New Zealand |
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| Abstract: | Repellents used to reduce by-kill of birds during pest control must not compromise acceptance by target species. Two repellents combined, anthraquinone (AQ; 0.4 g kg?1) and d-pulegone (DP; 1.0) did not reduce the palatability of blue-coloured carrot baits to laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus); nor did DP (2.0). Green-coloured carrot baits coated with AQ, DP or AQ + DP were taken from bait stations by wild possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and rats. Toxic (1080) bait coated with AQ (0.4) and peanut oil (0.1) had reduced palatability but was accepted by laboratory rats. However, laboratory rats did not consume enough baits coated with AQ and bacon, peanut butter, cinnamon or DP to be killed. Anthraquinone (0.4 or 0.8) plus cinnamon and DP (0.5) did not affect palatability or lethality to captive ship rats (R. rattus) or possums. Anthraquinone and DP as surface coatings on baits are therefore acceptable to possums and possibly rats, at concentrations that deter some bird species. |
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| Keywords: | anthraquinone d-pulegone poison Rattus norvegicus Rattus rattus Trichosurus vulpecula |
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