In order to compare the efficacy of different formulations of
Bromodiolone-based rodenticides against mixed populations of common vole
(Microtus arvalis Pall) and striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius) in
alfalfa, the testing was conducted using the standard EPPO method at the
locations of Belegis and Putinci, in summer of 2010. The experimental design
consisted of a completely randomized block with four replicates and with the
main plot area of 400 m2. The abundance and distribution of small rodents
populations at the experimental plots were determined on the basis of
appearance and spatial distribution of active holes. The efficacy of
different rodenticide formulations was evaluated according to the number of
active holes 7, 14, and 28 days after treatment (DAT), using the Henderson-
Tilton?s formula. The testing was done with the commercially available
rodenticide formulations: (grain-based baits), RB (ready-to-use baits -
pouches) and PT (pellets), containing 0.005% of active ingredient
Bromodiolone. The monofactoral analysing of variance did not result in any
statistically significant difference in efficacy of rodenticide formulations
7 DAT at the Belegis locality and 7 and 14 DAT at the Putinci locality. But,
the statistically significant difference in efficacy of rodenticide
formulations was observed at Belegis locality on the 14th day of the
experiment. Also, at the end of experiment, the efficacy of rodenticide
formulations significantly varied at both locations. Nominally, the lowest
efficacy of 72.5% was exhibited by formulation, while the average efficacy
of RB and PT formulations against mixed populations of common vole and
striped field mouse in alfalfa was 88.3% and 77.7%, respectively. It is
concluded that the use of RB formulation of Bromodiolone-based rodenticides
can improve the control of rodent pests in alfalfa.
“Living on the edge”: The role of field margins for common vole (Microtus arvalis) populations in recently colonised Mediterranean farmland
