Rat Control - 85
 

 

 

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Project Leader and Principal UC Investigators

Terrell P. Salmon, Cooperative Extension

Rex E. Marsh, Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, UC Davis

Walter E. Howard, Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, UC Davis

 

(Funded by the University of California Integrated Pest Management Project.)

Objectives

  • Assess the effect of various cultural practices in rice fields and adjacent lands on Norway rat infestations.
  • Develop a rat monitoring plan to identify potential rat problems.
  • Refine rat control practices, particularly the timing.

Summary of Results

There was little difference in habitat suitability between burned and unburned rice fields. However, fall disking and working the land to be left fallow for a year greatly reduced rat populations. Rats prefer to colonize ditch banks where water and vegetative cover are available.

A paraffin-grain bait-block consumption test provided the most accurate assessment of rat numbers, but it is time consuming and may not be practical for farmers. Tooth marks on wood stakes is a more suitable method for farm use.

Rat control often used zinc phosphide grain bait applied by hand or broadcast. Other methods are anticoagulant baits and burrow fumigants. These controls should be combined with weed control on levees and ditches and fall disking. Laser-leveled fields have fewer levees and, thus, provide less harborage for rats.

Project Leaders: Terrell P. Salmon, Cooperative Extension; and Rex E. Marsh and Walter E. Howard, Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, University of California, Davis.

 

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