scholarly journals Acute oral toxicity of zinc phosphide: an assessment for wild house mice in Australia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyn A Hinds ◽  
Steve Henry ◽  
Nikki Van de Weyer ◽  
Freya Robinson ◽  
Wendy A Ruscoe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lethal Dose ◽  
Laboratory Strain ◽  
Zinc Phosphide ◽  
Alternative Food ◽  
House Mice ◽  
Oral Toxicity ◽  
Oral Gavage ◽  
Wild Mice ◽  
Time To Death ◽  
Wild House Mice

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.

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
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Lethal Dose ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Zinc Phosphide ◽  
House Mice ◽  
Independent Analysis ◽  
Variable Success ◽  
Wild House Mice ◽  
Barley Grains

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.

scholarly journals Field trials of the rodenticide 5-p-chlorophenyl silatrane against wild house mice (Mus musculus L.)

1974 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. P. Rowe ◽  
T. Swinney ◽  
A. Bradfield
Keyword(s):  
House Mouse ◽  
Mus Musculus ◽  
Corn Oil ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Zinc Phosphide ◽  
House Mice ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Wild House Mice

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.

scholarly journals 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
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Phosphide ◽  
House Mice ◽  
Wild House Mice

scholarly journals Trials of the rodenticide pyriminil against wild house mice (Mus musculus L.)

1978 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 315-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. P. Rowe ◽  
T. Swinney ◽  
A. Bradfield
Keyword(s):  
House Mouse ◽  
Mus Musculus ◽  
Corn Oil ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Zinc Phosphide ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
House Mice ◽  
Wild House Mice ◽  
Family Groups

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

Retention of the bait marker Rhodamine B in wild house mice

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Jacob ◽  
D. A. Jones ◽  
G. R. Singleton
Keyword(s):  
Digestive Tract ◽  
Rhodamine B ◽  
Rapid Screening ◽  
House Mice ◽  
Ambient Light ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Wild Mice ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Wild House Mice ◽  
Males And Females

We investigated the retention of the systemic bait marker Rhodamine�B (RB) in house mice (Mus domesticus) that were fed RB in pellet bait (0.5% RB) and in water solutions (1.6%). Wild mice fed RB baits (3 mg RB) or provided with treated water (0.3 mg RB) were screened for traces of RB in whiskers, blood, urine, faeces, and the digestive tract. The dye was detectable in all tissues and excretions tested 12 h after its uptake in pellet bait or solution. RB was detectable under ambient light in urine and the digestive tract for up to four days and in faeces for up to two days. RB was detectable in blood sera for up to 84 h using a fluorometer. RB-bands were found in whiskers for up to seven weeks after ingestion of RB. There was no difference between males and females regarding the presence of RB in blood and whiskers. A second dose of RB (1.8 mg) one week after the first dose resulted in two bands in mouse whiskers. Fewer mice were scored RB positive when uptake of RB was low. In contrast to whiskers, analysis of blood sera provided quantitative results and allowed rapid screening of animals. We conclude that RB is an appropriate marker for short- and medium-term studies on bait uptake in house mice.

scholarly journals Field trials of the rodenticide gophacide against wild house mice (Mus musculus L.)

1975 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. P. Rowe ◽  
T. Swinney ◽  
A. Bradfield
Keyword(s):  
House Mouse ◽  
Mus Musculus ◽  
Corn Oil ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Zinc Phosphide ◽  
House Mice ◽  
Complex Environments ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Wild House Mice

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.

scholarly journals Breeding and handling small wild rodents: a method study

1969 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret E. Wallace ◽  
Christine A. Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Mus Musculus ◽  
House Mice ◽  
Wild Rodents ◽  
Breeding Performance ◽  
Wild Mice ◽  
Wild House Mice ◽  
Cleaning Methods

Breeding, handling and cleaning methods for wild house mice ( Mus musculus) are described. In the absence of measures of efficiency in the literature for wild rodents in general, measures of breeding performance and of time needed for handling and cleaning are proposed; figures for these measures are given for the cage, chute and methods here described in reference to wild mice.

Effects of radio collars on wild mice, Mus domesticus

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (7) ◽  
pp. 1607-1609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Odile Pouliquen ◽  
Michelle Leishman ◽  
Trevor D. Redhead
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
House Mice ◽  
Mus Domesticus ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Wild Mice ◽  
Wild House Mice

Experiments were conducted in the laboratory and in the field to test the effects of radio collars (1.7–1.9 g) on wild house mice (Mus domesticus). There was a decrease in the activity of the collared animals in the laboratory immediately after collar attachment. There were no adverse effects on social interactions in the laboratory, nor on survival for 4–5 days in the field. Provided that the collar is well adjusted, there should be no need to keep wild animals captive for more than 1 h after collar attachment. These results are consistent with those of other researchers on the effect of transmitters on some species of small mammals.

scholarly journals A semilethal t-haplotype in the Orkney Islands

1981 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. B. Dooher ◽  
R. J. Berry ◽  
K. Artzt ◽  
D. Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Microscopic Examination ◽  
House Mice ◽  
Island Population ◽  
Isolated Population ◽  
Sterile Male ◽  
Wild Mice ◽  
Orkney Islands ◽  
Histological Characteristics ◽  
Wild House Mice ◽  
T Haplotype

SUMMARYBreeding tests of wild house mice, trapped from an isolated population from Sanday in the Orkney Islands, have demonstrated the presence of a semilethal t-haplotype designated tw106. Microscopic examination of sperm and testes from a sterile male obtained from this population revealed the histological characteristics typical for homozygotes for semilethal t-haplotypes. This report is the first description of the recovery of a t-haplotype from an island population of wild mice.

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