1. Rodent Proliferation in Urban and Agricultural Settings of Sub-Saharan Africa – Part 2. Towards Integrated Management Strategies, and Beyond
- Author
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Ambroise Dalecky, Ibrahima Sow, Abdoul Aziz Ibrahim Danzabarma, Madougou Garba, Jonas Etougbetche, Sylvestre Badou, Henri-Joël Dossou, Cheikh Tidiane Niang, Ousmane Diene, Idrissa Diallo, Mohamed Seyidna Ali Saghiri, Mohamed El Hady Sidatt, Frank Van Steenbergen, Amadou Bocar Bal, Luwieke Bosma, Gualbert Houemenou, Solimane Ag Atteynine, Karmadine Hima, Gauthier Dobigny, and Yonas Meheretu
- Abstract
The use of synthetic chemical rodenticides is the most commonly practiced rodent management method in sub-Saharan Africa which results in health and environmental risks without any significant improvement in terms of reducing rodent pest populations sustainably. In this paper, which is a second part of a diptych, we advocate for better control of the use of synthetic chemical rodenticides in urban and agricultural settings in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as a shift towards more sustainable and environment-friendly rodent management approaches, such as the Ecologically-Based Rodent Management (EBRM), as a realistic alternative to synthetic rodenticides. The EBRM approach relies on a solid knowledge of pest rodent biology, ecology and behavior as well as the use of a pool of rodent management actions implemented through community-based interventions to ensure sustained reduction of rodent pest populations down to economically and sanitary acceptable levels. EBRM is expected not only to ensure reducing the social impacts of pest rodents in cost-beneficial ways, but also the risks of rodents and synthetic rodenticides to human health and the environment.
- Published
- 2023
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