Rodent baits and their effect on native fauna

I have a 24/7 rat and mouse problem courtesy of a neighbor who, until recently, [she died] had chooks and their pen hadn't been mucked out for many years. Plenty of hidey places tn the yard for the rodents to breed so there was always a new generation to invade my place.

Eons ago I used those block baits with a hole in the middle for a tent peg to hold it in place. Yeah right!!! The rats chewed on the side of the bait and reached the tent peg. Then they broke the bait up and carried the pieces away to who knows where. Having dogs I learnt very quickly not to use them and thankfully no dogs harmed in the learning process.

Only a couple of weeks ago my Cav Spaniel rushed in and out from under a Hydrangea bush. He was absolutely chuffed with himself proudly carrying a live rat. Quite an effort for a little dog.

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Originally Posted by RANDLOVER

Product names can be confusing as "Mouseoff" comes in 2 types, the Bromadiolane and zinc phosphate, denoted as "Mouseoff ZP"

MOUSEOFF® Zinc Phosphide Bait — animal control technologies

What happens to the mice?

Most mice die underground. This can be confirmed by excavating holes to find carcasses or by rechecking burrow activity after baiting. Birds and other scavengers quickly take the few mice that do die on the surface so few dead mice are seen. The dead mice are not toxic to scavengers.

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I agree, the ZP has no real half life, is not residual and as safe for the carcass eaters as you can get, especially if you're using it in a shed.

Bromadialone on the other hand..............

DL

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RANDLOVER

Product names can be confusing as "Mouseoff" comes in 2 types, the Bromadiolane and zinc phosphate, denoted as "Mouseoff ZP"

MOUSEOFF® Zinc Phosphide Bait — animal control technologies

What happens to the mice?

Most mice die underground. This can be confirmed by excavating holes to find carcasses or by rechecking burrow activity after baiting. Birds and other scavengers quickly take the few mice that do die on the surface so few dead mice are seen. The dead mice are not toxic to scavengers.

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Thanks, RL. Have sent link to my dopey Broil.

Australian breahthrough in feral pig control, - "Hoggone".

Humane Australian breakthrough in feral pig control with poison bait, Hoggone - ABC News

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Originally Posted by bob10

Australian breahthrough in feral pig control, - "Hoggone".

Humane Australian breakthrough in feral pig control with poison bait, Hoggone - ABC News

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I saw this on Landline during the weekend, the inventor seems to be a unsung hero for all the work he has done on pest control.

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Originally Posted by RANDLOVER

I saw this on Landline during the weekend, the inventor seems to be a unsung hero for all the work he has done on pest control.

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The 'inventor' addressed the local landcare here one night and really opened my eyes and ears about the way various poison agents worked, the importance of short half lives, etc.

It was great to hear a scientist speaking facts, as opposed to a biased animal lib person spruking misinformation.

DL

Feral pigs are said to have been illegally released in South Australia , to be used for hunting. I think that was done with rabbits, back in the day.[bighmmm]

Authorities round up illegally released feral pigs after unusual outbreak on farming properties - ABC News

There's some evidence that something similar happened with carp appearing in the Glenelg system in Vic around 2000............ deliberate release for sport fishing purposes.

DL

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Originally Posted by 350RRC

There's some evidence that something similar happened with carp appearing in the Glenelg system in Vic around 2000............ deliberate release for sport fishing purposes.

DL

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That could be worse than the pig situation![bigsad]

For the last 6-8 weeks we have been inundated with mice in this district.
I have deployed traps and baits and we are using about 500g of baits a day and the little buggers just keep on coming.
I do the rounds twice a day and drown the ones caught in the traps and pick up all the dead ones that have succumbed to the poison and put them all in a covered incinerator with a good handful of lime.
The resident magpies and butcher birds are still here in good numbers so I am certain that none of them have picked up a baited rodent so far [thumbsupbig]