Comparative Rodenticide Activity of Three Agro Waste Materials in Combat of Rattus norvegicus Under Laboratory Conditions

Nowadays, the use of natural and eco-friendly compounds for control of synanthropic rodents instead of chemical rodenticides is an important step in integrated pest management (IPM). Three by-products, namely corn cobs, rice straw and sugarcane bagasse, consisting of cellulose as the main active ingredient, were investigated to combat the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) under laboratory conditions. Different baits: five from corn cobs; two from rice straw; and two from sugarcane bagasse; were explored. A series of bioassay detection methods of no-choice and choice feeding trials were used. For the no-choice feeding test, all the five tested corn cob baits, together with one of each of the rice straw and sugarcane bagasse gave 100% mortality. However, in the choice feeding test, only the 65% corn cob wood fraction bait (65% CCW) exhibited 100% mortality with 16.37% acceptance. The changes related to ingestion of cellulose-based baits were mainly due to the dehydration, which was confirmed by a significant reduction in body weight, lethargy, tremors and intensive bowel impaction. Although 65% CCW caused 100% mortality, its acceptance is still below the level for a rodenticide material to be approved. Hence, further efficacy studies are required, targeting amelioration of attractiveness of cellulose-based baits for rodents and development of palatable products to ensure better outcomes.