Alternatives to brodifacoum and 1080 for possum and rodent control—how and why? (original) (raw)
Related papers
Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference, 2010
In New Zealand, sodium fluoroacetate (1080) has been used for vertebrate pest control for several decades. Since the 1990s, some 1080 users have switched to brodifacoum for possum and rodent control because of its ready availability and ease of use. An awareness that field use of brodifacoum results in persistent residues provides the impetus to develop alternatives and provide new tools and greater flexibility. Looking to the future, we seek toxins which increasingly combine "low-residue" characteristics with humaneness, and more selective bait and delivery systems enabling better and more acceptable control of possums, wallabies, mustelids, rodents, feral cats, and rabbits. Experience gained in the 1990s with the introduction of cholecalciferol (Feracol ®) and a cyanide pellet (Feratox ®), which both kill possums without secondary poisoning, underpins the extension in 2009 of the Feratox ® registration to include introduced Dama wallabies. To date, zinc phosphide has not been registered in NZ, despite its field use in Australia and the U.S. and low secondary poisoning risk compared with 1080. Research and registration dossiers are being assessed in 2009-10 for zinc phosphide containing products for possum and rodent control. Registration documents are also being prepared for a combination of cholecalciferol and coumatetralyl to provide a slow-acting alternative to brodifacoum for the field control of possums, rodents, and rabbits with low risk of bio-accumulation. Anticipated timelines for product availability are 2010 (zinc phosphide) and 2011-13 (cholecalciferol and coumatetralyl). Our intention now is to move beyond these conventional rodenticides and develop new vertebrate pesticides. For example, we are pursuing the registration of para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) for humane control of stoats and feral cats, and a series of related novel toxins and other compounds that target the red blood cell for other pest species including rodents. PAPP products should be available in 2010, subject to registration approvals. New research initiatives in 2010 will increasingly result in a shift in focus to the development of novel rodenticides aided by new international research collaborations.
Reflections on Improvements in the Use of Vertebrate Pesticides in New Zealand: 1996-2006
Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference, 2006
Vertebrate pesticides for wild animal control in New Zealand came under scrutiny in the 1980s and 1990s, which engendered considerable research to update the toxicology databases of older compounds, such as 1080 or diphacinone, to meet current international registration standards. In parallel there was a focus on identifying "use patterns" and formulations that are effective at killing pests and less hazardous to other wildlife. Improved bait quality and reduced sowing rates for 1080 bait for possum control in New Zealand, down from 10-15 kg of bait per hectare to 1-3 kg, has been accompanied by increased effectiveness and reduced non-target risk. This has been coupled with an improved understanding of 1080 toxicology and risk communication amongst pest control professionals and with the community. In addition, in vivo metabolism and persistence studies coupled with field surveys have improved understanding of the toxicokinetics and non-target effects of different anticoagulants. This enabled improved choice of tools for island versus mainland use in New Zealand. The risks associated with "one-off" applications of baits containing second-generation anticoagulants for rodent eradication on islands are considered to be very substantially outweighed by the potential benefits to their ecosystems. On the mainland, contamination of wildlife and game species and risk of secondary poisoning have been substantially reduced by switching from second-to first-generation anticoagulants. Finally, these developments were coupled with the identification of improved baits for ground control of possums and rodents, such as encapsulated cyanide and gel baits containing cholecalciferol, which in turn reduced an over-reliance on 1080 and anticoagulants alone. Nevertheless, safer use patterns, improved formulations and target specificity, and new vertebrate pesticides are still required, and this will be a major challenge for the 21 st Century.
Use of zinc phosphide to overcome rodent infestations
Of the many rodenticides available for rodent management, few provide immediate control on a large scale while also offering a high level of safety to non-target predators and scavengers in the food chain. These are minimum requirements for the control of rodents in broadacre crops and in certain other agricultural situations. The need to meet the combined objectives of high potency and high safety has led to renewed interest in zinc phosphide (ZP) as a suitable active constituent of rodent baits.
Field efficacy of reduced active ingredient zinc phosphide formulation against rodents
Indian Journal of Entomology
A formulation of zinc phosphide with reduced active ingredient (40% concentrate) was evaluated for its rodenticidal activity in wheat, rice and sugarcane crops at farmer fields of Punjab, India. Comparison was made with the existing formulation (80% concentrate) and second generation anticoagulant bromadiolone (0.25% concentrate). Cereal based baits containing different doses of new (1.5, 2.0 and 2.5%) and existing zinc phosphide (2%) and bromadiolone (0.005%) were applied through burrow baiting where Bandicota bengalensis, Mus booduga, Millardia meltada and Tatera indica were the predominant rodents. The reduction in rodent activity was determined based on pre- and post-treatment bait census. Results revealed that 2% and 2.5% bait formulations of new zinc phosphide are as effective as the existing/ recommended zinc phosphide (2%) and bromadiolone (0.005%) bait formulations.
Common Rodenticide Toxicoses in Small Animals
Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 2012
This article focuses on the 3 most commonly used rodenticide types: anticoagulants, bromethalin, and cholecalciferol. Since there are multiple types of rodenticides available on the market and the color of the bait is not coded to a specific type of rodenticide, it is important to verify the active ingredient in any rodenticide exposure. Additionally, many animal owners may use the term "D-con" to refer to any rodenticide regardless of the actual brand name or type of rodenticide. Rodenticide baits are most typically formulated as bars. Loose bait such as pellets are no longer produced for consumer sale according to new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) risk mitigation rules; however, this form (loose bait) may be seen for quite some time while older products are used up. The EPA released their final ruling on rodenticide risk mitigation measures in 2008 and all the products on the market had to be compliant by June 2011. The purpose of the measures is to reduce exposures to children and nontarget species including wildlife. After June 2011, consumer products may not contain the second-generation anticoagulants brodifacoum, difethialone, difenacoum, and bromadiolone and instead must contain either firstgeneration anticoagulants or nonanticoagulants including bromethalin and cholecalciferol. 1 These regulations are likely to cause an increase in the number of bromethalin and cholecalciferol cases seen in veterinary clinics. ANTICOAGULANT RODENTICIDES The discovery of the causative agent of sweet-clover poisoning in cattle, dicoumarol, led to the development of the anticoagulant rodenticides. Cattle suffering from this type of poisoning developed internal bleeding; therefore, dicoumarol was tested as a rodenticide. Warfarin, named after the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), was the first compound marketed as an anticoagulant rodenticide. The The authors have nothing to disclose.
2016
Rodents have caused havoc with human's economy as they destroy all food items in field, godown, storage house, poultry farm and premises. Due to its closeness to man habitation, it spreads number of diseases like plague etc. Rodents are estimated to cause around 5-15% damages, losses to cereals and other areas. Rodenticide is one of the important ways of controlling rodent damage. However, limitations with present rodenticides are accidental or secondary poisoning, risk to non-target organisms and probable development of resistances. Under such circumstances, there is need for awareness generation among the farm growers and manufacturers, who are involved in using and developing these rodenticide technologies. Possible new innovative rodenticide formulations like spreading oil, encapsulated bait etc may be successful to combat rodent resistance.
Chapter 11 An International Perspective on the Regulation of Rodenticides
2018
In the late 1940s, anticoagulant active ingredients were introduced into the global rodenticide market. They were rapidly favored over existing rodenticides, such as red squill, zinc phosphide, strychnine and inorganic compounds, because they were comparatively inexpensive and did not appear to have any unpalatable taste, odor or cause any immediate post-ingestive reaction that could lead to bait shyness in rodents (Wardrop and Keeling 2008). The number of products registered in the United States (US) under Section 3 of the Federal Fungicide, Insecticide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), which was passed in 1947 and was the first US law to require product registration, illustrates the rapid dominance of anticoagulants in the US rodenticide market (Fig. 11.1). It is striking that the number of anticoagulant-based rodenticide products (ARs) registered under FIFRA was more than two times greater than the other categories of rodenticide active ingredients 40 years after the enactment of FIFR...
Active Ingredients Eligible for Minimum Risk Pesticide Use: Overview of the Profiles
2018
This overview document references profiles of 31 active ingredients eligible for exemption from pesticide registration when used in a Minimum Risk Pesticide in accordance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) section 25b. These profiles were developed by the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program at Cornell University, for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The authors are solely responsible for its content. Mention of specific uses are for informational purposes only, and are not to be construed as recommendations. Brand name products are referred to for identification purposes only, and are not endorsements.