Non-empirical Validation of Indigenous Rodent Control Methods Practiced in Northeastern India

Abstract

Of late, interest in alternative eco-friendly rodent control methods have paced up owing to the known shortcomings of rodenticides, particularly anticoagulants. The present study reports 15 such non-chemical rodent control methods practiced in the upland areas of Northeast India. Most of these (80%) methods include indirect means of rodent control i.e. use of repellents, by attracting predators and by trapping. About 50% of the methods have been non-experimentally validated to be highly effective. The striking feature of these methods appears to be the probable minimal effect on non-target organisms, which is the main constraint with chemical rodenticides. However, thorough investigation of these methods involving extensive field trials is critical and may provide valuable clues for developing some highly effective alternatives to chemical rodenticides.