Published by Basic Research Journal of Social and Political Science
Basic Research Journal of Social and Political Science ISSN 2465-7220 Vol. 3(4) pp. xx-xx September 2015
Available online http//www.basicresearchjournals.org
Copyright ©2015 Basic Research Journal
Review
Application of different methods for rodent control in
Upper Egypt
Abd El-Aleem Saad Soliman Desoky
Plant protection Department (Zoology), Faculty of Agriculture, Sohag University
Author's email: abdelalem2011@yahoo.com
Accepted 25 September 2015
Abstract
Rodent damage a variety of agricultural crops throughout most regions of the world,in developing
countries where the economy depends on agriculture, rodent infestation can pose a serious threat of
not only reduced income but also widespread dangerous diseases. Damage range from negligible
destruction of growing plants to total crops loss. Thus, great efforts should be done to develop rodent
control programs. Control methods must not fulfill the requirement of protecting crops, but also in a
safe efficient and economic manner. However, in this review three methods of rodent curative applied
control were considered these methods are mechanical control, biological control and chemical
control. The main objective of this review was to develop an effective strategy for implementation of
rodent management programs in cultivated and newly reclaimed agro ecosystems in Egypt.
Keywords: rodent control programs, rodent management, mechanical control, biological control, chemical
control
INTRODUCTION
Rodents are considered as one of the most important
pests in Egypt. They cause great economic loss to
farmers (damage the growing crops, stored products,
poultry and animals farm); and to food manufactures by
damaging the structure and fabric of buildings. Besides,
they gnaw through almost any object in their ways to
obtain food and shelter, Abdel-Gawad; Maher Ali (1982).
Rodenticide application,causing rapid and large-scale
population reduction, continues to be an important tool in
rodent damage management (Abazaid, 1990/1997).
These reductions, however, are short-term and there is a
growing concern with the environmental hazards and
safety issues associated with rodenticide use. Great
strides have been made to better understand the nature
of rodent populations, why damage occurs, how damage
can be predicted and reduced by non-lethal approaches
(physical, chemical, behavioral, and cultural), and how to
apply ecologically based rodent management strategies
(Singleton et al., 1999). The general equipment,
methods, and strategies used to manage rodents,
including rodenticides, have been presented in detail by
Buckle and Smith (1994); Hygnstrom et al., (1994). Many
new approaches (use of disease agents and fertility
control) have proven ineffective or ill-conceived for
vertebrates in the preliminary testing phases.
All rodents require food, shelter, and water. The shelter
provides protection from predators, inclement weather,
and a favorable place to bear and rear their young.
Although rodents require water, those water requirements
vary greatly by species. Because rodent food and cover
(i.e., vegetation) can be influenced by human activities,
there has been considerable development of strategies to