SUSTAINABLE RODENT CONTROL FOR SUBSISTENCE FARMERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

E.F. von Maltitz, F. Kirsten, P.S. Malebana 1, S.R. Belmain, A.N. Meyer 2,

C.T. Chimimba and A.D.S. Bastos 3

1 ARC-PPRI, South Africa; 2 NRI, University of Greenwich, Kent, UK

3 Mammal Research Institute, Univ Pretoria, South Africa

Technology transfer and promotion of Technology transfer and promotion of ecologically-based and sustainable rodent ecologically-based and sustainable rodent

control strategies in South Africa 2002-2006control strategies in South Africa 2002-2006

Participated:ARC-PPRI

LIMPOPO DEPT AGRIC & ENVIRONMENTNRI (UK)

KZN DEPT AGRIC & ENVIRONM AFFAIRSMAMMAL RI, UNIV PRETORIA

Villagers in Limpopo & KZN-North RegionUNIVERSITY of VENDA for S&T

UNIVERSITY of the NORTH (LIMPOPO)

Funded: DFID CPP

ARC-SRL programme (KZN)

SUSTAINABLE RODENT CONTROL FOR SUBSISTENCE FARMERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

SUSTAINABLE RODENT CONTROL FOR SUBSISTENCE FARMERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Introduction

Materials and methods

Results

Discussion

IntroductionIntroduction

Why can households not

effectively control rodents ?

Super Intelligent Rodents ?

Rodent resistance ?

Sleeping Fat Cats ?

South AfricaSouth Africa

SOUTH AFRICA – Limpopo Province SOUTH AFRICA – Limpopo Province

SOUTH AFRICA – KwaZulu-Natal North Region

SOUTH AFRICA – KwaZulu-Natal North Region

SUSTAINABLE RODENT CONTROL FOR SUBSISTENCE FARMERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

SUSTAINABLE RODENT CONTROL FOR SUBSISTENCE FARMERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Introduction

Material and methods

Results

Discussion

Introduction

Material and methods

Results

Discussion

SurveysSurveysSurveysSurveys

• Pre- and post-trapping survey

• Socio-economic assessment

• Anthropological study

• Market survey

Baseline dataBaseline data

• Training on rodent trapping and data collecting

• Rodent trapping in houses

• Crop field trapping

• Rodent taxonomy

• Cross-cutting with project RatZooMan

Baseline data:Baseline data:Training on trapping and rodent data collectingTraining on trapping and rodent data collecting

Baseline data:Baseline data:Trapping in and around 280 housesTrapping in and around 280 houses

Four crop fields in LimpopoFour crop fields in Limpopo

Baseline data: Rodent identificationBaseline data: Rodent identification

Baseline data: RatZooManBaseline data: RatZooMan

SUSTAINABLE RODENT CONTROL FOR SUBSISTENCE FARMERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

SUSTAINABLE RODENT CONTROL FOR SUBSISTENCE FARMERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Introduction

Materials and methods

Results

Discussion

SurveysSurveys

Province

Method Limpopo KwaZulu-Natal

Rodenticide 37% 41%

Cats 13% 15%

Traps 5% 8%

Sticky traps / glue 1% 1%

Insecticide 1% 1%

Other methods 1% 1%

No control 58% 37%

Methods used by farmers in Limpopo and Methods used by farmers in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal to protect their stored crops KwaZulu-Natal to protect their stored crops

and possessions from rodent damageand possessions from rodent damage

Market surveyMarket survey

Trap success: 80 houses LimpopoTrap success: 80 houses Limpopo

Trap success: 200 houses KZNTrap success: 200 houses KZNMvuzini village

0

5

10

15

Oct/Nov Nov/Dec Dec/Jan Jan/Feb

per

cen

tag

e tr

ap s

ucc

ess

intensive trapping Control

Tholakele and Ophuzana (control)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Oct/Nov Nov/Dec Dec/Jan Jan/Feb

census period

per

cen

tag

e tr

ap s

ucc

ess

intensive trapping (Tholakele)control (Ophuzana)

Rodent community structure: different habitats in houses

Rodent community structure: different habitats in houses

Species composition: Rodents trapped in four villages in Limpopo

Species composition: Rodents trapped in four villages in Limpopo

Small mammals trapped in houses and in crop fields in four villages in Limpopo 2002-2004

Small mammals trapped in houses and in crop fields in four villages in Limpopo 2002-2004

Village BBKloof GaPhaahla Nkomo Mapate

Species H F H F H F H F RZM

Aethomys ineptus X X X X X X X

Aethomys namaquensis X X X

Dasymys incomtus X

Lemniscomys rosalia X X X X

Mastomys coucha X X X X X

Mastomys natalensis X X X X X

Mus musculus X X X X X X

Mus minutoides X

Otomys angoniensis X X X X

Rattus rattus X X X X X X X

Rattus tanezumi X

Rhabdomys pumilio X X

Saccostomus campestris X X X X

Steatomys sp X X

Tatera leucogaster X X X X

Elephantulus sp. X

Myosorex sp. X

Rattus tanezumi – first record in South AfricaRattus tanezumi – first record in South Africa

Rodents trapped in Limpopo crop fields 2002-2004

Rodents trapped in Limpopo crop fields 2002-2004

Crop fields: rodent damageCrop fields: rodent damage

Rodent zoonosisRodent zoonosis

Rodents

N = 202

Dogs

N = 34

Plague 0 0

Toxoplasmosis 18,3% 52,9%

Leptospirosis 6,7% 97%

SUSTAINABLE RODENT CONTROL FOR SUBSISTENCE FARMERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

SUSTAINABLE RODENT CONTROL FOR SUBSISTENCE FARMERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Introduction

Materials and methods

Results

Discussion

Active participation – better understandingActive participation – better understanding

Dissemination of results: feedbackDissemination of results: feedback

Dissemination of results: radioDissemination of results: radio

Development of public-private service provision: Training

Development of public-private service provision: Training

Development of public-private service provision:Improved rodent control tools produced locally

Development of public-private service provision:Improved rodent control tools produced locally

ConclusionConclusion