[Study of rat control by using bait box].
This study examines the feasibility of using bait boxes for permanent rat control in Taiwan. During the test period between October 1988 and March 1989, 37 bait boxes made of PVC pipes were placed at various baiting sites in public markets, near restaurants and food stands in several communities known to be infested by rats. Each of the 37 boxes was baited with non-toxic rice powder to determine how well these boxes were accepted, the time needed for rats to use the boxes and eat the bait, and to do preliminary census on the relative densities of rat populations at these different places. The results showed that 27 of 29 (93.1%) bait boxes that had not been vandalized, disturbed or moved away and could be monitored continuously were used by rats. Of these 27 bait boxes, 13 (48.1%) were used the day after the boxes were set, and 25 (92.6%) were used within a week after the boxes were set. The amount of bait eaten per day for each bait box varied greatly, from less than 5 g to more than 300 g. After the bait in each bait box was taken regularly, half of the bait boxes with good bait acceptance were pulse-baited with 0.005% brodifacoum coated rice powder, and the other half of the bait boxes with good bait acceptance were baited with non toxic rice powder for comparison. The result of treatment indicated that rat control by using bait boxes is effective. However, the cooperation of the local people and the location of bait boxes have a great influence over the success of this control method.
Department of Zoology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Republic of China.
L L
LL
Lee
C C
CC
Chi
D000818:Animals; D051381:Rats; D012375:Rodent Control / Q000379:methods*