Laboratory tests of seven rodenticides for the control of Meriones shawi

Area of Science:

• Pest Management
• Toxicology
• Wildlife Biology

Background:

• Meriones shawi (Shaw's jird) is a rodent species that can pose pest control challenges.
• Understanding rodenticide efficacy against specific species is crucial for effective pest management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of seven different rodenticides against Meriones shawi.
• To determine the susceptibility of Meriones shawi to various anticoagulant and non-anticoagulant rodenticides.

Main Methods:

• Laboratory feeding tests were conducted using Meriones shawi.
• Seven rodenticides were tested at various concentrations: Brodifacoum, Warfarin, Coumatetralyl, Difenacoum, Bromadiolone, Calciferol, and Zinc Phosphide.
• Mortality rates and feeding behavior were observed.

Main Results:

• Meriones shawi exhibited lower susceptibility to anticoagulant rodenticides compared to other pest rodents.
• Brodifacoum (0.005%) achieved complete mortality in 8 days, outperforming other anticoagulants tested.
• Calciferol (0.1%) was toxic but unpalatable, while Zinc Phosphide (5.0%) resulted in 80% mortality in a choice test.

Conclusions:

• Anticoagulant rodenticides are generally less effective for controlling Meriones shawi.
• Zinc Phosphide appears to be the most suitable rodenticide for field control of Meriones shawi among the tested compounds.