Rodenticidal baitings in wheat fields of the Garhwal Himalayas

Abstract

Ten replicated trials, in which 2.4% zinc phosphide, 0.005% brodifacoum and 0.005% bromadiolone were used to control rodents, were carried out in wheat fields. Single grid baiting with zinc phosphide followed by a baiting with brodifacoum or double baiting with brodifacoum or bromadiolone resulted in 89–93% rodent mortality. The pre‐flowering and flowering stages of wheat crop appeared to be more suitable for rodenticidal treatments than maturity stage; moist bait of bromadiolone produced considerable rodent mortality (64.67%) in maturing wheat. Rodents cut 8.08% tillers equivalent to a loss of 225.59 kg/ha wheat. Double rodenticidal treatments saved yield loss from 151.76 to 176.89 kg/ha resulting in cost benefit ratio of 1:19 to 1:28. In wheat fields where rodents were killed in previous rainy season crops the population of rodent burrow‐opening was very low varying from 14.42 to 18.92/ha. Burrow baiting trials in these wheat fields proved that rodenticidal treatments can be carried out profitably even at 2.22% level of damage