Low-dose cholecalciferol bait for possum and rodent control

Hix, S.; Aylett, Paul; Shapiro, Lee; MacMorran, Duncan; Eason, Charles; Sam, Shona A.; Ross, James G.; Miller, Aroha; Ogilvie, Shaun C.

doi:10.1080/00288233.2012.665806

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The combination of 0.1% cholecalciferol with 20% aspirin that we found in bait consumption trials to be optimal in terms of palatability and effectiveness offers a cost-saving of about 65% compared with the presently-registered lowest concentration of cholecalciferol of 0.4% used in possum baits [28]. When combined in cereal pellet bait the saving was estimated to be about 50%.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 72%

Combining Aspirin with Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) – A Potential New Tool for Controlling Possum Populations

2013

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The introduced Australian brushtail possum is a major vertebrate pest in New Zealand, with impacts on conservation and agriculture being managed largely through poisoning operations. Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is registered for use in controlling possums and despite its many advantages it is expensive and relatively inhumane. Combination of a high proportion of aspirin with a low proportion of cholecalciferol was effective in killing high proportions of groups of acclimatised, caged possums: this is attributed to both an unexpectedly high toxicity of the type of cholecalciferol used, and a proposed synergistic mechanism between the two compounds. Death was caused by localised damage to heart ventricles by aspirin, and inhibition of tissue repair by both aspirin and cholecalciferol. The observed toxicosis had lower impact on the welfare of possums than either compound administered alone, particularly aspirin alone. Residue analyses of bait remains in the GI tract suggested a low risk of secondary poisoning by either compound. The combination of cholecalciferol and aspirin has the potential to meet key requirements of cost-effectiveness and humaneness in controlling possum populations, but the effect of the combination in non-target species has yet to be tested.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 72%

Combining Aspirin with Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) – A Potential New Tool for Controlling Possum Populations

2013

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“…For example, if rat numbers decreased in the non-treatment site (pre-vs post), then some of the estimated percentage reduction in the treatment site resulted from natural variations in animal numbers. This adjustment was conducted using equations detailed in Hix et al (2012), and both values (adjusted and non-adjusted) are reported below.…”

Section: Pilot Field Trialmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing a new resetting tool for controlling rats

Murphy¹,

Agnew²,

Sjoberg³

et al. 2023

NZJE

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A resetting toxin device (the "Spitfire") has been designed that delivers a toxic paste to a rat's ventral surface when it passes through a tunnel. The rat grooms off the paste and ingests the toxin. The system was assessed in cage trials and one field trial. The purpose of the cage trials was to investigate whether a range of toxins can be delivered by the Spitfire to rats (Rattus rattus and R. norvegicus), namely 0.55% sodium fluoroacetate (1080), 0.2% brodifacoum, 15% cholecalciferol, and 12.5% zinc phosphide. The trials with 1080, brodifacoum, and zinc phosphide were successful with > 85% of rats ingesting lethal doses. The trials with cholecalciferol were less successful with only 58% of rats dying. A one-month pilot field trial was undertaken using 1080 in the Spitfires. There was a knockdown in rat (and stoat Mustela erminea) abundance, establishing proof of concept for the Spitfire delivery system with this toxin. The long-term, effective control of introduced rats will require a range of toxins with different modes of action. The Spitfire could be a useful additional control tool for rats and is currently being re-engineered to be made more reliable.

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“…The mean percentage of ChewCards and WaxTags ® bitten per line for each block over each sampling period was to be calculated to provide relative indices of rat and possum abundance before and after rodent trapping. Changes in these indices were then used to calculate percentage reductions in rodent activity, and these were adjusted for natural changes in the control block (Hix et al 2012).…”

Section: Population Indicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Density-Dependence on Foraging Dominance between Two Pest Species

Ross¹,

Sam²

2014

vertebrate_pest_conference

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Possum numbers have been significantly reduced in many regions of New Zealand. However, research has indicated some unexpected consequences of possum control. At some sites, rat numbers have more than doubled 2 years after possum control. What this suggests is that the removal of a direct competitor has enabled a rapid increase in rat numbers relative to slower possum recovery. This has serious implications, as high rat numbers could inhibit ongoing possum ground control. To investigate this, an experimental trial was run where we tested the following research hypotheses by manipulating the rat density: i) Null hypothesis (H 0 ) -rat density has no influence on possum foraging behaviour around bait stations, ii) Alternative hypothesis (H 1 )rat density indirectly influences possum behaviour by removing all bait before possums can access it, and/or iii) Alternative hypothesis (H 2 ) -rat density directly influences possum behaviour by physically excluding them from bait stations. The experimental site was divided into 2 parts, a treatment block and a control (non-treatment) block. Rat control was undertaken using Victor ® kill traps and 96 rats were removed over 6 nights (density estimated at 4.6 rats/ha). To quantify the effect of rat density on possum foraging behaviour, non-toxic bait stations were stapled to a tree every 10 m along 18 monitoring lines (n = 50). Possum behaviour was then monitored using both modified tracking cards and IR camera traps. Prior to trapping, 92% of all the baits were removed by rats on the first night. Following trapping, this reduced down to 8% in the treatment block. Rats turned up earlier than possums at the majority of the monitored sites (~1 hour before sunset). Before trapping, baits were only available 33% of the time when a possum visited a bait site (n = 15), and no baits were removed. After trapping, baits were available 100% of the time and 2 baits were removed by possums. These results support H 1 and suggest that the smaller-bodied competitor can dominate food resources in NZ forests. This has the potential to make possum ground control more difficult when using control techniques that do not target rodents. KEY WORDS: brushtail possum, field rodents, kill traps, monitoring, Rattus rattus, ship rat, Trichosurus vulpecula, vertebrate pest control Proc. 26 th Vertebr. Pest Conf. (R. M. Timm and J. M. O'Brien, Eds.) Published at Univ. of Calif., Davis. 2014. Pp. 156-160.

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Low-dose cholecalciferol bait for possum and rodent control

Cited by 8 publications

References 14 publications

Combining Aspirin with Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) – A Potential New Tool for Controlling Possum Populations

Combining Aspirin with Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) – A Potential New Tool for Controlling Possum Populations

Developing a new resetting tool for controlling rats

The Effect of Density-Dependence on Foraging Dominance between Two Pest Species

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