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Efficacy of a combined insecticide–rodenticide product on ectoparasite and commensal rodent mortality
Author(s) -
Hinds Lyn A,
Grice David,
Watson Duncan M,
Jacob Jens
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.6179
Subject(s) - rodenticide , rodent , biology , flea , brodifacoum , tick , acaricide , veterinary medicine , toxicology , zoology , virology , ecology , medicine
BACKGROUND Ectoparasites may transfer zoonotic pathogens from rodents to humans or livestock when rodents are managed with rodenticides. This could be minimized using a product combining a rodenticide with a delayed action and a systemic insecticide/acaricide that rapidly kills ectoparasites. Such a combination was tested in commensal pest rodent species to assess efficacy and timing of responses in rodents, and fleas and ticks feeding on them. Ticks or fleas attached to rats ( Rattus norvegicus ) and house mice ( Mus musculus domesticus ) were exposed to a product containing brodifacoum (50 ppm) and fipronil (40 ppm) for three days. RESULTS 98–100% of fleas on treated rodents died within one to two days after first exposure, whereas >90% fleas survived on control rodents. The effect persisted for four or more days after bait uptake. Ticks started to succumb to the effect of the combination product within one day (mice) and within four days (rats) of first exposure, with all ticks dying by Day (D)8. Tick survival in control rodents was 90–100%. Rodent mortality began at D3 (rats) and D4 (mice) after first consumption of product and all were dead by D9 (rats) and D7 (mice). CONCLUSION This product effectively killed ectoparasites and rodents. Flea mortality was swift and complete, generally within one day of exposure, whereas it took ticks up to four days to die, but before the rats and house mice died. The combination product might help to prevent ectoparasites migrating from dying rodents to another host. Field trials are warranted. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry