Deterioration of food in cold stores caused by Rattus rattus and its control—A case study

Biology and Impacts of Pacific Island Invasive Species. 11.Rattus rattus,the Black Rat (Rodentia: Muridae)

“…Rattus rattus consumes most macadamia nuts by foraging in the canopy (Tobin et al 1996), yet in the rows that are adjacent to crop edges R. rattus removes numbers of nuts that drop to the ground equivalent to those that are consumed in the canopy (Elmouttie and Wilson 2005). Seeds, fruits, and vegetables that are stored in bags and boxes are also damaged by R. rattus, including cauliflower (Brassica oleracea), sweet orange (Citrus sinenis), mango (Mangifera indica), grape (Vitis vinifera), and apple (Malus pumilla) (Ahmad et al 1993).…”

“…data). Much increased labor and costs due to necessary R. rattus control strategies are required to protect crops on Pacific islands, including control efforts in crop fields, adjoining noncrop areas, and in storage and transportation units , Ahmad et al 1993, Elmouttie and Wilson 2005. Meerburg et al (2009) reviewed the large number of pathogens that rodents can directly or indirectly transmit to humans.…”

Synergistic effect of natural clinoptilolite with non‐lethal repellents in anti‐rodent dry food packaging

“…Annual damage caused by mice, rats, and other rodents is estimated to be more than 23 billion euros worldwide 1 . Mice and rats lead to a wide variety of problems, such as spreading diseases, structural damage to buildings, and damage to food sources 2–4 . Struggles against these animals, which can live and reproduce widely in almost every geography, continue in many ways 5,6 …”