Bait bases for Mastomys natalensis Smith 1834: a murid of public health interest in Africa.
Mastomys natalensis is widely distributed in the whole of Africa and is a reservoir of important zoonoses including plague. In order to control this species efficiently using rodenticides, tests were carried out to find the most preferred cereal and bait additives to form a suitable bait base. Investigations were based on food choice tests in caged animals. Among the cereals tested, rice was significantly preferred (P=0.01) followed by wheat, sorghum and maize. Of the additives tested, both sexes of M. natalensis significantly preferred baits containing either 1,3 and 5% sucrose (p=0.05), or 3 and 5% glycerine, or 3% fish, or 1% sucrose. Also both sexes rejected bait containing 1 and 3% molasses. Additives such as 1% glycerine, 1 and 3% groundnut did not significantly influence bait intake. Sex preference differential was observed on baits containing 1 and 5% fish, 1 and 5% groundnut, 5% cotton oil, 5% cod liver oil and 0.5% salt. It was concluded that bait additives which scored 70% or more should be considered suitable for M. natalensis bait. However further studies are recommended on this subject.
Mbise
T. J.
TJ
Tropical pesticides Research Institute, P.O. Box 3024, Arusha, Tanzania.
Kilonzo
B. S.
BS
Kinabo
L. D.B.
LD