title: Novel and current rodenticides for pocket gopher Thomomys spp. management in vineyards: what works?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rodenticides are often included as part of an integrated pest management approach for managing pocket gophers (Thomomys spp.) given that they are relatively quick and inexpensive to apply. Strychnine has historically been the most effective toxicant for pocket gophers, but its use is currently limited in the United States; alternative registered toxicants have not proven effective. Recent research with baits containing cholecalciferol plus anticoagulant toxicants proved effective against pocket gophers in a lab setting. Therefore, we established a field study to compare cholecalciferol plus anticoagulant combinations [0.03% cholecalciferol plus 0.005% diphacinone (C + D), 0.015% cholecalciferol plus 0.0025% brodifacoum (C + B1), 0.03% cholecalciferol plus 0.0025% brodifacoum (C + B2)] with strychnine (0.5%) for pocket gopher management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Strychnine treatments resulted in 100% efficacy after two treatment periods. Both C + D and C + B2 resulted in efficacy significantly greater than 70% after two treatment periods (83 and 75% respectively). Efficacy from C + B1 (85%) was not significantly greater than 70%, but did yield high overall efficacy as well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although strychnine remains the most effective rodenticide for pocket gopher control, the cholecalciferol plus anticoagulant baits tested would be a good alternative when strychnine is unavailable. C + D may be the best option given that it uses a first-generation anticoagulant as the synergist. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Roger A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Baldwin
authors.affiliation: Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meinerz
authors.affiliation: USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Gary W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Witmer
mesh_terms: D015110:4-Hydroxycoumarins; D000818:Animals; D002762:Cholecalciferol; D046348:Gophers; D010571:Pest Control / Q000379:methods*; D012378:Rodenticides; D013331:Strychnine
chemical_list: D015110:4-Hydroxycoumarins; D012378:Rodenticides; D002762:Cholecalciferol; C013418:bromfenacoum; D013331:Strychnine
keywords: brodifacoum; cholecalciferol; diphacinone; pocket gopher; rodenticide; strychnine