Effects of background food on alternative grain uptake and zinc phosphide efficacy in wild house mice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Henry ◽  
Peter R Brown ◽  
Nikki Van de Weyer ◽  
Freya Robinson ◽  
Lyn A Hinds

BACKGROUND: House mice (Mus musculus) cause significant, ongoing losses to grain crops in Australia, particularly during mouse plagues. Zinc phosphide (ZnP) coated grain is used for control, but with variable success. In a laboratory setting, we tested if mice would (1) switch from consumption of one grain type to another when presented with an alternative, and (2) consume ZnP-treated grains when presented as a choice with a different grain. RESULTS: Mice readily switched from their background grain to an alternative grain, preferring cereals (wheat or barley) over lentils. Mice readily consumed ZnP-coated barley grains. Their mortality rate was significantly higher (86%, n=30) in the presence of a less-favoured grain (lentils) compared to their mortality rate (47%, n=29; and 53%, n=30) in the presence of a more-favoured grain (wheat and barley, respectively). Mice died between 4-112 h (median = 18 h) after consuming one or more toxic grains. Independent analysis of ZnP-coated grains showed variable toxin loading indicating that consumption of a single grain would not guarantee intake of a lethal dose. There was also a strong and rapid behavioural aversion if mice did not consume a lethal dose on the first night. CONCLUSIONS: The registered dose rate of 25 g ZnP/kg wheat; ~ 1 mg ZnP/grain in Australia needs to be re-evaluated to determine what factors may be contributing to variation in efficacy. Further field research is also required to understand the complex association between ZnP dose, and quantity and quality of background food on efficacy of ZnP baits.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyn A Hinds ◽  
Steve Henry ◽  
Nikki Van de Weyer ◽  
Freya Robinson ◽  
Wendy A Ruscoe ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of zinc phosphide (ZnP) for broadacre control of wild house mice in Australia is being reported by growers as increasingly variable. Have mice become less sensitive over time or are they taking a sub-lethal dose and developing aversion? In this laboratory study the sensitivity of groups of wild caught and an outbred laboratory strain of mice was assessed using oral gavage of a range of ZnP concentrations. The willingness of mice to consume ZnP-coated grains was then determined. RESULTS: Each mouse group had very similar LD50 values (72 to 79 mg ZnP per kg body weight) which are significantly higher than previously reported. Time to death post-gavage ranged between 2.5 to 48 h. ZnP coated grains (50 mg ZnP per kg grain) presented in the absence of alternative food were consumed and 94 percent of wild mice died. Mice provided with alternative food and ZnP coated wheat grains (either 25 or 50 mg ZnP per kg grain) consumed toxic and non-toxic grains, and mortality was lower (33 to 55 percent). If a sublethal amount of ZnP coated grain was consumed, aversion occurred mostly in the presence of alternative food. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of wild house mice to ZnP in Australia is significantly lower than previously assumed. Under laboratory conditions ZnP coated grains coated with a new higher dose (50 mg ZnP per kg grain) were readily consumed. Consumption of toxic grain occurred when alternative food was available but was decreased. It is important to assess the efficacy of the higher ZnP dose per grain under natural field conditions, especially when background food is low.


1974 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. P. Rowe ◽  
T. Swinney ◽  
A. Bradfield

SUMMARYThe performance of the rodenticide 5-p-chlorophenyl silatrane at 0.5% in a wholemeal flour/pinhead oatmeal/corn oil bait was compared with that of zinc phosphide at 3% in the same base in poison treatments carried out against urban infestations of the house mouse (Mus musculus L.). Each poison treatment was conducted for 1 day and after 3 days' pre-baiting. The success of the treatments was assessed from census baitings conducted before and after treatment. Treatment success varied considerably with both poisons used but in general 5-p-chlorophenyl silatrane proved to be at least as effective as zinc phosphide, a commonly used acute rodenticide for the control of mice.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Henry ◽  
Peter R. Brown ◽  
Nikki Van de Weyer ◽  
Freya Robinson ◽  
Lyn A. Hinds

1978 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 315-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. P. Rowe ◽  
T. Swinney ◽  
A. Bradfield

SUMMARYPen and field trials were conducted to assess the performance of the acute rodenticide pyriminil against the house mouse (Mus musculus L.). Four types of poison treatment were carried out using penned family groups of warfarin-resistant mice supplied with alternative plain foods. In each treatment pyriminil was included at 2% in a wholemeal flour/pinhead oatmeal/corn oil bait. Mortality was highest (46/54; 85·2%) when poison bait was offered for 4 days following 3 days of pre-baiting The same pre-baiting and poisoning technique was adopted in five field trials carried out against mice infesting farm building The efficacy of each poison treatment was estimated from the results of pre- and post-treatment census baitings; treatment success ranged between 53·7% and 96·7%, mean 80·5% It is concluded that pyriminil treatments are best carried out after a period of pre-baiting and that when pyriminil is used in this manner it is about as effective as zinc phosphide for the control of mice


1975 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. P. Rowe ◽  
T. Swinney ◽  
A. Bradfield

The acute rodenticide gophacide was tested against urban infestations of the house mouse (Mus musculus L.) and treatment success was assessed from the results of census baitings conducted before and after each treatment. Seven of eight populations of mice living in premises where alternative food supplies were limited were successfully controlled when medium oatmeal bait containing gophacide at 0.1% was laid directly for 4 days. In further treatments against mice inhabiting more complex environments and having greater access to other foods, the performance of gophacide at 0.1% and at 0.25% in a wholemeal flour/pinhead oatmeal/corn oil bait was compared with that of zinc phosphide at 3.0% in the same bait-base. The poison treatments were conducted for 1 or 4 days and always after 3 days pre-baiting. Treatment success varied considerably irrespective of the type of treatment or of the poison used. In general, however, gophacide proved to be as effective as zinc phosphide for the control of mice.


1987 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Bomford

The diet and breeding seasons of house mice, Mus musculus L., were monitored for 16 months in six habitats on two cereal farms: fields of barley, wheat, sorghum and rice stubble, and contour banks in rice fields, and channel banks. In all habitats mice were mainly granivorous. Because of rotational cropping and irrigation, seeds were available in different habitats in each season and this was reflected in the diets. Cereal grains spilt at harvest and other stale seeds were the main food in the nonbreeding season. It is proposed that the low quality of this food limited breeding. When milk-ripe grass seeds became available, mice switched to this fresh food, and started breeding about 1 month later. The onset of breeding was asynchronous between different habitats; this suggests that time of onset of breeding was determined by availability of food.


1987 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 197 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Bomford

Free-ranging populations of house mice, Mus musculus L., on contour banks in a rice field in New South Wales were provided with three types of supplementary food of differing nutritional quality for 10 weeks in spring. Four live-trapping sessions were conducted 3-10 weeks after supplementary feeding started. The percentage of females breeding averaged 47% on banks with supplementary food, and 0% on control banks with no supplementary food. The quality of the supplementary food did not affect breeding performance. It is concluded that breeding in rice fields in spring is limited by the food supply, and it is probably the supply of energy, rather than that of specific nutrients, that is limiting.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Fahrurrrazi Fahrurrrazi

Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi oleh fenomena minat baca siswa dan pengaruh minat baca terhadap pertumbuhan kemampuan belajar siswa pada jenjang-jenjang pendidikan selanjutnya. Kepala sekolah sebagai lokomotif perkembangan mutu pendidikan memiliki peran strategi bagi pengumbuhan dan pengembangan minat baca peserta didik. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui peran kepala madrasah sebagai edukator, manajer, dan innovator dalam pengembangan minat baca peserta didik di MIT Nurul Islam Kota Semarang. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif lapangan, data dikumpulkan melalui observasi, wawancara, dokumentasi dan triangulasi, serta dianalisis dengan teknik analisis deskriptif. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa: 1) Peran kepala madrasah sebagai edukator dalam pengembangan minat baca peserta didik meliputi meliputi tiga pembinaan, yakni pembinaan mental dan moral, serta pembinaan artistik. 2) Peran kepala madrasah sebagai manajer dalam pengembangan minat baca peserta didik di MIT Nurul Islam meliputi penerapan fungsi-fungsi manajemen dengan didasarkan pada pada kerjasama dengan USAID dan UIN Walisongo Semarang. 3) Peran kepala madrasah sebagai innovator dalam pengembangan minat baca peserta didik di MIT Nurul Islam Kota Semarang meliputi inovasi strategi, pola pikir (mindset) dan struktur. Abstract This research is motivated by the phenomenon of reading interest of students and the influence of reading interest on the growth of students' learning ability in the next level of education. The principal as a locomotive of the development of the quality of education has a strategic role for the growth and development of reading interest of learners. This study aims to determine the role of principal as an educator, manager, and innovator in the development of reading interest of learners in MIT Nurul Islam Semarang City. This research is a qualitative field research, data collected through observation, interview, documentation and triangulation, and analyzed by descriptive analysis technique. The results of this study indicate that: 1) The role of principal as an educator in the development of reading interest of learners includes three activities are coaching, namely mental and moral coaching, and artistic coaching. 2) The role of principal as manager in the development of reading interest of learners at MIT Nurul Islam covers the application of management functions based on cooperation with USAID and UIN Walisongo Semarang. 3) The role of principal as innovator in the development of reading interest of learners at MIT Nurul Islam Semarang City includes innovation strategy, mindset, and structure.


1994 ◽  
Vol 143 (5) ◽  
pp. 766-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Lenington ◽  
Carol B. Coopersmith ◽  
Mark Erhart

Genetics ◽  
1959 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 795-802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothea Bennett ◽  
L C Dunn ◽  
Susan Badenhausen
Keyword(s):  

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