The susceptibility of Bandicota bengalensis from Rangoon, Burma to several anticoagulant rodenticides

Abstract

SUMMARYThe baseliiie susceptibility of the lesser bandicoot rat, Bandicota bengalensis, from Rangoon, Burma, to five anticoagulant rodenticides was established with no-choice feeding in the laboratory. The susceptibility of lesser bandicoots to the several poisons (brodifacoum, difenacoum, diphacinone, coumatetralyl, and warfarin) was such that they were offered at a 0·001 % concentration. B. bengalensis was most susceptible to brodifacoum, and in descending order, difenacoum, coumatetralyl, diphacinone and warfarin. In comparison with Rattus norvegicus on warfarin at 0·005 %, B. bengalensis proved more susceptible. Feeding tests at 0·005 % concentration indicated that a 1-day feeding on broclifacoum and difenacoum would result in complete mortality, whereas coumatetralyl and warfarin would require 4 days feeding to a 100 % kill. Brodifacoum and difenacoum are recommended at 0·002–0·005 % bait concentrations and coumatetralyl at 0 001 % concentrations for the control of B. bengalensis in the field in Rangoon. The use of any anticoagulant material in rat control should be alternated with acute toxicants to retard the possible development of anticoagulant resistance.