Anthraquinone repellent to reduce take of non-target birds from zinc phosphide rodenticide applications

Abstract

Carlson, James C.; and Linz, George M., "Anthraquinone repellent to reduce take of non-target birds from zinc phosphide rodenticide applications" (2011 We evaluated anthraquinone as an avian repellent to reduce take of non-target birds from zinc phosphide rodenticide applications. We observed zero mortalities and no overt signs of zinc phosphide toxicosis among 20 Canada geese (Branta canadensis), 24 horned larks (Eremophila alpestris), and 47 ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) offered baits treated with 1% or 2% anthraquinone and 2% zinc phosphide (target concentrations; wt/wt) during laboratory performance experiments. Thus, anthraquinone successfully prevented consumption of 2% zinc phosphide baits among non-target birds in captivity. We observed 10% mortality among black-tailed prairie dogs (i.e., target rodent; Cynomys ludovicianus) offered oats treated with 1% anthraquinone and 2% zinc phosphide, and 30% mortality among blacktailed prairie dogs offered oats treated with 2% anthraquinone and 2% zinc phosphide. Upon completion of our experiments, chemical analyses indicated that actual concentrations were 1.66% and 1.45% zinc phosphide among oats treated with1% anthraquinone + 2% zinc phosphide, and 2% anthraquinone + 2% zinc phosphide, respectively. We observed 24-37% repellency during a concentration-response test with black-tailed prairie dogs offered corn seeds treated with 0.5-4% anthraquinone (target concentrations; wt/wt). Thus, anthraquinone may affect consumption of repellent-treated rodenticide baits for black-tailed prairie dogs. Supplemental performance testing and field efficacy studies (e.g., 0.25-0.5% anthraquinone and 2% zinc phosphide, actual concentrations; wt/wt) are necessary for further development of an efficacious, bird-repellent rodenticide bait.Published by Elsevier B.V.

Bird-repellent effects on bait efficacy for control of invasive mammal pests

“…Birds and mammals cause significant economic losses to agriculture, and much research has been devoted to testing repellents to minimise crop, forestry and infrastructure damage . Some repellent testing has aimed to minimise the risk to birds from lethal control targeting other pest species, particularly invasive mammal pests . New Zealand has many invasive mammals and spends > $US 100 million a year controlling them to mitigate their impacts on native biodiversity and agricultural production .…”

“…Secondary repellents are generally more effective when paired with a primary repellent, and the proposed strategy for field use was to have both repellents in prefeed and d‐pulegone in poison bait . Both anthraquinone and d‐pulegone are effective repellents for reducing bird impacts on a range of crops, and anthraquinone also proved effective in reducing the risk of non‐target bird consumption of a poison bait for rodents …”

Review of anthraquinone applications for pest management and agricultural crop protection

“…In cage testing of Northern bobwhite quail, Poche determined that AQ‐treated granular pesticides successfully protected quail chicks from mortality. Testing to protect non‐target bird species, including Canada geese, ring‐necked pheasants and horned larks, indicated that AQ‐treated rodenticide baits prevented consumption of 20 000 mg zinc phosphide kg −1 baits . Further testing of AQ‐treated toxic pest baits has been conducted in New Zealand to protect the endangered North Island robins ( Petroica longipes , Garnot).…”

“…), 24–37% repellency was observed for corn treated with 5000–40 000 mg AQ kg −1 . Black‐tailed prairie dogs consumed more untreated oat baits than any other treatment, including 10 000 and 20 000 mg AQ kg −1 treated oat baits and 10 000 and 20 000 mg AQ kg −1 plus 20 000 mg zinc phosphide kg −1 treated oat baits . Rodenticide baits (20 000 mg zinc phosphide kg −1 ) treated with 10 000–20 000 mg AQ kg −1 resulted in 30% mortality among black‐tailed prairie dogs …”

Perspectives on Existing and Potential New Alternatives to Anticoagulant Rodenticides and the Implications for Integrated Pest Management

“…Some of the issues are that animals may acclimate/habituate to the materials and the effectiveness depends on how hungry the animals are and whether or not palatable alternative foods are available. In another, related research area, efforts are underway to incorporate bird repellents into rodenticides to reduce the risk of harming non-target animals Werner et al 2011). …”