Development of under-ground baiting technique for control of rats in rice fields in Pakistan

An underground baiting technique was evaluated and developed for the control of rats in rice fields. Both acute and anticoagulant baits were used against Bandicota bengalensis and Nesokia indica which burrow in the dikes of rice fields and are major pests of rice crop. The efficacy of three formulations of 2% zinc phosphide (ZP) in reducing rodent activity was highly significant. Wax coated cakes proved better than the grain and plain cake formulations. The treatments with wax blocks of 0.005% brodifacoum (Klerat) and 0.0375% coumatetralyl were, also, significant where the estimated mortality was 98.8% and 98.95% respectively. This underground baiting method holds promise and is, therefore, recommended for further testing and evaluation at the operational level.