Search

Evaluates the use of commercial zinc phosphide baits to reduce rat populations in Hawaiian sugarcane fields. Mortality of black rats and Polynesian rats in laboratory bioassays; Enhancement of the effectiveness of zinc phosphide oat bait by prebaiting with nontoxic grain; Absorption of moisture and physical degradation as reason for rats' reduced acceptance of pellets.

Three probabilistic models were developed for characterizing the risk of mortality and subacute coagulopathy to Poouli, an endangered nontarget avian species, in broadcast diphacinone-baited areas on Hawaii, USA. For single-day exposure, the risk of Poouli mortality approaches 0. For 5-d exposure, the mean probability of mortality increased to 3% for adult and 8% for juvenile Poouli populations. For Poouli that consume snails containing diphacinone residues for 14 d, the model predicted increased levels of coagulopathy for 0.42 and 11% of adult and juvenile Poouli populations, respectively. Worst-case deterministic risk characterizations predicted acceptable levels of risk for nonthreatened or endangered species such as northern bobwhite quail and mallards. Also, no acute toxicity was noted for snails and slugs that feed on diphacinone baits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]