Rodent losses in commercial grain storage [Philippines]
1984
Sayaboc, P.D. | Caliboso, F.M. | Benigno, E.A.
shThe field survey revealed that the average population and consumption of rodents are 111 and 3.6 kilograms of grains, respectively. Likewise, stomach contents of rodents in government warehouses were found to have 99.5 percent grain while those collected from private warehouses contained 90 percent grains. The Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout and the Philippine ricefield rat, Rattus rattus mindanensis Mearns were the prevalent rodent species found in storage. Laboratory experiments showed that rodents consume an amount equivalent to 10% of their body weight per day and, while feeding, spill 7.5 times as much as the amount they consume. It was also found that grains contaminated with rodent hairs, urine and feces were infected with Aspergillus flavus and A. ochraceus. A control program consisting of chronic poison baiting, in-warehouse trapping and maintenance of sanitation and hygiene in and around the warehouse reduced losses by 87%. A cost-benefit ratio of 1.36 was achieved by implementing the control program for six mo
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