Evaluation of bait stations for control of urban rabbits

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurie E. Twigg ◽  
Garry S. Gray ◽  
Marion C. Massam ◽  
Tim J. Lowe ◽  
Winifred Kirkpatrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Concrete Slab ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Development Of Resistance ◽  
Efficacy Trials ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Bait Station ◽  
Field Efficacy ◽  
Bait Stations ◽  
Proportional Reduction

The acceptability of four different bait station designs (drum, slab, tyre, corrugated iron) to rabbits was tested in the field using unpoisoned oat bait. The drum (200 L, cut longitudinally) and the raised concrete slab (60 × 60 cm) designs were the most acceptable to rabbits. The raised tyre design was unacceptable, and this was supported by later field efficacy trials that compared the drum and tyre designs using 1080 One-shot oats. The efficacy of three of these designs (drum, slab, tyre) against ‘urban’ rabbits was assessed more fully using pindone oat bait. The tyre stations were again found to have little impact on rabbit numbers. With the exception of one drum site where pindone bait stations were totally ineffective, the proportional reductions in rabbit numbers for the remaining sites were similar between the drum (69%, n = 3) and slab (70%, n = 5) designs. However, the slab design provided much easier access to bait by non-target species (particularly birds), and we therefore recommend that the drum design would be the best bait station for controlling rabbits. The overall proportional reduction in rabbit numbers achieved with pindone bait stations was 48% (range 0–80%, n = 13), which is less than that usually achieved during broadacre control programs with pindone (60–90+%). In addition, these kills took 30–60 days to achieve, and as rabbit damage still occurred over this period, the use of pindone bait stations did not always result in damage mitigation or, ultimately, an economic benefit. Some potential problems associated with the use of pindone bait stations, such as the possibility of the development of ‘resistance’ to pindone bait and the risk to non-target species, are also discussed. The combined use of track counts and a ‘digs’ index proved a reliable indicator of changes in rabbit abundance.

Effects of bait-station design on the uptake of baits by non-target animals during control programmes for foxes and wild dogs

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alistair S. Glen ◽  
Chris R. Dickman
Keyword(s):  
Red Fox ◽  
New South ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
Target Species ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Bait Station ◽  
Control Programmes ◽  
Substantial Risk ◽  
Bait Stations ◽  
Wild Dogs

The removal of non-toxic baits was monitored during a simulated trail-baiting programme for foxes and wild dogs in the central tablelands of New South Wales. Ninety-one buried baits were removed by a number of species including spotted-tailed quolls, Australian brush-turkeys, superb lyrebirds, small mammals, wild dogs and a red fox. Spotted-tailed quolls were significantly less likely to remove baits buried under the ground surface than baits buried in raised mounds of soil. By means of remote photography, individual quolls were identified removing 3–4 baits in one night from bait stations 400 m apart. The results of this study show that spotted-tailed quolls and other non-target species may face substantial risk of consuming baits intended for wild dogs and foxes. However, the risk of poisoning spotted-tailed quolls may be significantly reduced by appropriate planning. Recommendations are made to increase the target-specificity of baiting programmes in areas with populations of spotted-tailed quolls.

Does fox baiting threaten the spotted-tailed quoll, Dasyurus maculatus?

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhard Körtner ◽  
Shaan Gresser ◽  
Bob Harden
Keyword(s):  
Rhodamine B ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
New South ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
North East ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Bait Station ◽  
Radio Transmitters ◽  
Bait Stations

In Australia, baiting with 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) is widely used to reduce predation of native wildlife by the red fox. However, such control programs may place some native carnivores at risk, particularly the spotted-tailed quoll in eastern Australia. We measured the mortality in a total of 57 quolls fitted with mortality radio-transmitters during four experimental fox baitings with Foxoff® 1080 baits containing Rhodamine B in north-east New South Wales. In all experiments quolls visited bait stations regularly and removed a total of 20 baits. All but one of these baits was found in the vicinity of the bait station, indicating that quolls did not ingest baits. This was confirmed by the absence of Rhodamine B in the vibrissae of all quolls retrapped after baiting. The only quoll that may have died from a bait had eaten a cached bait some six weeks after baiting concluded. Thus, baiting did not threaten any of the quoll populations sampled. Therefore it appears that most restrictions imposed to protect spotted-tailed quolls during fox baiting are unnecessary as long as this bait type is used.

scholarly journals A vertical bait station for black rats (Rattus rattus) that reduces bait take by a sympatric native rodent

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances Zewe ◽  
Paul Meek ◽  
Hugh Ford ◽  
Karl Vernes
Keyword(s):  
Field Trial ◽  
New South ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Vertical Pipe ◽  
Black Rat ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Bait Station ◽  
A Site ◽  
Bait Stations

Novel bait stations can be used as a targeted method of delivering bait by exploiting behavioural traits of the target species. On Muttonbird Island, New South Wales, the black rat (Rattus rattus) has been baited to aid the conservation of the island’s wedge-tailed shearwater (Ardenna pacifica) colony, which may result in poisoning of the sympatric swamp rat (Rattus lutreolus). We aimed to design a bait station that R. rattus could reach, but that R. lutreolus could not. We found that 11 (92%) of 12 captive R. rattus reached the bait chambers by climbing a 50-cm vertical pipe, whereas only four (18%) of 22 R. lutreolus reached these bait stations. In a field trial on Muttonbird Island R. rattus entered the bait chamber on an average of 5.3 events per night of vertical bait station deployment, but R. lutreolus did not enter the stations. In a field trial on the mainland at a site with a high density of R. lutreolus, this species was detected in one vertical bait station five times, equating to an average of 0.017 events per night of vertical bait station deployment. We conclude that R. rattus readily climbs a 50-cm pipe to enter the bait station, whereas R. lutreolus rarely or never does on Muttonbird Island or at the mainland site.

The longevity of 1080 egg-baits in a regularly baited nature reserve in south-western Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurie E. Twigg ◽  
Neville E. Kok ◽  
Winifred E. Kirkpatrick ◽  
Geoff Burrow
Keyword(s):  
Exponential Decay ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Predator Control ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Injection Hole ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Bait Stations ◽  
Fox Control

The longevity of 1080 in egg-baits (4.5 mg 1080 per egg) used for fox control was monitored at the Corackerup Nature Reserve, Western Australia. Irrespective of season, most egg-baits (94%) were found to retain sufficient 1080 to be theoretically lethal to all foxes for at least 42 days, and 75% of baits contained an LD50 of 1080 at Day 63. Exponential decay curves also predicted that these baits would remain toxic to most foxes for up to 32 weeks, depending upon environmental conditions. Sealing the injection hole with wax, or using sterile techniques to prepare some egg-baits, appeared to have little effect on the longevity of 1080 in these baits compared with that of unsealed eggs. Bait take, and identification of those species taking bait, were monitored over 12 days at 216 permanent bait stations in the reserve. Track plots were present for 3–6 days on 83 of these stations in spring and summer but not in winter. In spring and summer, of those species likely to take bait, goannas were the most frequent visitors to the track plots and they were also responsible for most of the baits taken at this time (59% and 90% of baits taken). Foxes accounted for 27% (spring), 8% (summer) and 75% (winter) of the egg-baits taken. No egg-baits were taken by goannas in winter, but the overall bait take was also low at this time (28 of 211 baits laid; 13%). Overall bait take after 12 days in spring and summer was 64% (135 of 211) and 68% (145 of 212) of baits laid. Except for goannas, birds and other non-target species (e.g. bob-tail skink) took relatively few baits in any season. The implication of these findings for 1080-based predator-control programs are discussed.

scholarly journals Bacterial Toxins Active against Mosquitoes: Mode of Action and Resistance

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 523
Author(s):  
Maria Helena Neves Lobo Silva-Filha ◽  
Tatiany Patricia Romão ◽  
Tatiana Maria Teodoro Rezende ◽  
Karine da Silva Carvalho ◽  
Heverly Suzany Gouveia de Menezes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Binary Toxin ◽  
Lysinibacillus Sphaericus ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Resistance Selection ◽  
Single Receptor ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Environmentally Safe ◽  
Medical Importance

Larvicides based on the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis svar. israelensis (Bti) and Lysinibacillus sphaericus are effective and environmentally safe compounds for the control of dipteran insects of medical importance. They produce crystals that display specific and potent insecticidal activity against larvae. Bti crystals are composed of multiple protoxins: three from the three-domain Cry type family, which bind to different cell receptors in the midgut, and one cytolytic (Cyt1Aa) protoxin that can insert itself into the cell membrane and act as surrogate receptor of the Cry toxins. Together, those toxins display a complex mode of action that shows a low risk of resistance selection. L. sphaericus crystals contain one major binary toxin that display an outstanding persistence in field conditions, which is superior to Bti. However, the action of the Bin toxin based on its interaction with a single receptor is vulnerable for resistance selection in insects. In this review we present the most recent data on the mode of action and synergism of these toxins, resistance issues, and examples of their use worldwide. Data reported in recent years improved our understanding of the mechanism of action of these toxins, showed that their combined use can enhance their activity and counteract resistance, and reinforced their relevance for mosquito control programs in the future years.

Feral pigs in north-western Australia: population recovery after 1080 baiting and further control

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurie E. Twigg ◽  
Tim Lowe ◽  
Michael Everett ◽  
Gary Martin
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Population Recovery ◽  
Feral Pigs ◽  
Muddy Water ◽  
Good Body Condition ◽  
Bait Station ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Bait Stations ◽  
North Western ◽  
Fitzroy River

The recovery rate of a population of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) in the west Kimberley in north-western Australia was determined 12 months after a 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate)-baiting program. An estimated 56 pigs were present in the 15 000-ha study area in August 2005 compared with the prebaiting levels of 250–275 pigs in 2004 (11 pigs were known to be alive on site after the 2004 baiting). This represents a population recovery of 20–23% of the 2004 prebaiting levels. Although most pigs were in good body condition, environmental conditions were quite different between the two years. In 2005, some waterholes were dry or comprised mainly muddy water with little associated shelter for feral pigs. Consequently, and in contrast to 2004, no pigs were seen, and no bait take could be attributed to feral pigs, at the four resurveyed waterholes. Most pig sightings, and activity, were close to the Fitzroy River. Fermented wheat, with blood and bone, was used to determine areas of pig activity, and also used as prefeed before 1080-baiting commenced in 2005. Using the same bait stations as for 2004, plus additional stations established in new areas of pig activity, 1080-treated wheat and malted barley again proved highly effective in reducing pig numbers. The daily sighting index before and after 1080-baiting indicated that pig numbers had been reduced by ~90% within four days. Estimated pre- and postpoisoning density, with and without an edge effect, was 0.12–1.7 pigs km–2 and 0.05–0.67 pigs km–2. Pig tracks decreased to zero on the six track plots within two days of baiting, but the number of macropod tracks remained constant over the four-day baiting period. Thirty-eight poisoned pigs were found after 1080-baiting, and these were generally in clustered groups within 200 m of an active bait station. Poisoned juvenile pigs were again found closer to the active bait stations than were adult or subadult pigs (P < 0.05).

The longevity and efficacy of 1080 meat baits used for dingo control in central Australia

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurie E. Twigg ◽  
Steve R. Eldridge ◽  
Glenn P. Edwards ◽  
Bernie J. Shakeshaft ◽  
Nicki D. dePreu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Bodies ◽  
Potential Hazard ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
The Third ◽  
Central Australia ◽  
Considerable Period ◽  
Artificial Water

In central Australia, most 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate) meat baits placed on soil in predator-proof cages remained toxic to dingoes, foxes and feral cats for at least 8 months regardless of whether they were protected from rain or not. Thus, untaken baits will remain a potential hazard to non-target species, particularly farm dogs, for a considerable period. However, when dingo-control programs were monitored (n = 3 stations), approximately 85% of meat baits were taken within 4 days. Dingo-control programs were undertaken on three stations by placing 1080 meat baits near water points (bores) with known dingo activity. Baiting was effective on two stations but not on the third. Where successful, dingo numbers were reduced by 50–70%. The failure on the third station was not due to the lack of bait-take as approximately 80% of these baits were taken within 4 days; it was probably caused by the presence of ephemeral water-bodies that could not be baited. However, this technique was effective in removing those dingoes that utilised the artificial water points, and hence were likely to be interacting with cattle. Such an outcome has benefits to both conservation and the pastoral industry, as problem dogs are removed without placing the long-term survival of dingoes at risk.

Bait consumption by, and 1080-based control of, feral pigs in the Mediterranean climatic region of south-western Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurie E. Twigg ◽  
Tim Lowe ◽  
Gary Martin
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Sus Scrofa ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Variable Response ◽  
Feral Pigs ◽  
Poison Baiting ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Bait Stations ◽  
Minimal Evidence

The consumption of five non-toxic, grain-based baits, and the effectiveness of the preferred baits when treated with 1080 in reducing pig numbers, were determined for feral pigs (Sus scrofa) in several areas in the Mediterranean agricultural region of Western Australia. Fermented wheat with added blood and bone proved an effective attractant for feral pigs, and for determining areas of pig activity. Wheat and malted barley were the preferred baits, there was a variable response to lupins, and commercial pig pellets were consumed least. Malted barley, barley, and wheat treated with 1080 gave good reductions in pig numbers at the localised scale. Where pigs would eat lupins, 1080-treated lupins were usually effective in reducing pig abundance. In some instances, further evidence of feral pig activity was not seen on several sites for several months after poison-baiting occurred. The addition of a small amount of unpoisoned grain to mask the presence of 1080 did not increase the take of treated bait (P < 0.05). Although finding poisoned pigs was difficult owing to the terrain and the presence of bush remnants, the poisoned pigs found (n = 90) were often within 200 m of active bait stations. 1080-poisoned pigs included both adult (≥25 kg) and non-adult pigs of both sexes. Body mass of these pigs ranged from 4 to 90 kg. In all, 42% of poisoned adults found (n = 50) were 50 kg or more. There was minimal evidence of bait take by non-target species, and, where this occurred, it generally involved the consumption of the fermented wheat attractant by kangaroos (Macropus spp.) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Six foxes were known to have been poisoned with 1080-treated grain (4 with malted barley, 2 with wheat). Excluding foxes, no other non-target animals, including native species, were found dead during the intensive searches for poisoned pigs.

scholarly journals An IoT Smart Rodent Bait Station System Utilizing Computer Vision

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (17) ◽  
pp. 4670
Author(s):  
Robert Ross ◽  
Lyle Parsons ◽  
Ba Son Thai ◽  
Richard Hall ◽  
Meha Kaushik
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Platform ◽  
Cattle Farm ◽  
Commercial Scale ◽  
The World ◽  
Manual Labour ◽  
Bait Station ◽  
Report Data ◽  
Intensive Approach ◽  
Bait Stations ◽  
Initial Results

Across the world billions of dollars of damage are attributed to rodents, resulting in them being classified collectively as the biggest animal pest in the world. At a commercial scale most pest control companies employ the labour intensive approach of deploying and manually monitoring rodenticide bait stations. In this paper was present, RatSpy, a visual, low-power bait station monitoring system which wirelessly reports both on bait station levels and intruders entering the bait station. The smart bait stations report data back to a custom designed cloud platform. The system performance was evaluated under realistic field conditions (on an active cattle farm) with initial results showing significant potential in terms of reducing manual labour, improving scalability and data.

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