Abstract:
A promising alternative approach to conventional vector and rodent control practices is the use of a bait containing a rodenticide and acaricide in controlling vectors and pathogen reservoirs concurrently. In the United States, Lyme disease continues to be the most prevalent vector-borne disease with approximately 500,000 Lyme disease cases estimated each year. Previous research has demonstrated the usefulness of a low dose fipronil bait in controlling Ixodes scapularis larvae feeding on white-footed mice. However, considering white-footed mice can be an unwanted species because of their association with tick-borne disease and hantaviruses, a combination rodent and tick bait (RTB) might provide a useful alternative to encourage additional community participation in integrated tick management (ITM) efforts. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the use of RTB (0.025 % warfarin, 0.005 % fipronil) in controlling white-footed mice and I. scapularis larvae. Studies were designed in part based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines. A laboratory choice test was conducted to evaluate the use of RTB in controlling white-footed mice over 15-day exposure when they were exposed to an alternative diet. Mice were observed every day for mortality and signs of warfarin toxicity. A simulated field test was conducted to evaluate the use of RTB, presented in the presence of an alternative diet, in controlling I. scapularis parasitizing white-footed mice over 4-day exposure. Mice were fitted with capsules and manually infested with I. scapularis larvae. The inside of each capsule was observed to evaluate tick attachment. Replete larvae detaching from each mouse were collected. Blood was collected from all treatment group mice via cardiac puncture to determine the fipronil sulfone concentration in plasma for each animal. Results indicated that RTB would be adequately consumed in the presence of an alternative diet under laboratory and simulated field conditions. Treatment with RTB resulted in 100 % mortality of white-footed mice during 15-day exposure and prevented 100 % larvae from feeding to repletion during 4-day exposure. All mice succumbing to RTB showed signs of warfarin toxicity. All mice parasitized with ticks that were exposed to RTB had fipronil sulfone detectable in plasma, with even the lowest concentration detected (8.1 parts per billion) controlling 100 % parasitizing I. scapularis larvae. The results suggest that RTB could be a useful means of rodent and tick control for use in ITM programs.
摘要:
常规媒介和啮齿动物控制实践的有希望的替代方法是使用含有杀鼠剂和杀螨剂的诱饵同时控制媒介和病原体库。在美国,莱姆病仍然是最普遍的媒介传播疾病,估计每年约有500,000个莱姆病病例。先前的研究已经证明了低剂量氟虫腈诱饵在控制以白足小鼠为食的肩cap虫幼虫中的有用性。然而,考虑到白足小鼠可能是不想要的物种,因为它们与蜱传疾病和汉坦病毒有关,啮齿动物和蜱虫诱饵(RTB)的组合可能会提供一个有用的替代方案,以鼓励更多的社区参与综合蜱虫管理(ITM)工作。这项研究的目的是评估RTB的使用(0.025%华法林,0.005%氟虫腈)控制白足小鼠和肩胛骨幼虫。研究部分是根据环境保护局(EPA)指南设计的。进行了实验室选择测试,以评估RTB在控制白足小鼠暴露于替代饮食15天的情况下的使用。每天观察小鼠的死亡率和华法林毒性的迹象。进行了模拟现场测试,以评估RTB的使用,在存在替代饮食的情况下,在4天暴露时间内控制肩胛骨寄生白足小鼠。给小鼠安装胶囊并用肩胛骨一条幼虫手动感染。观察每个胶囊的内部以评价蜱附着。收集从每只小鼠分离的补充幼虫。通过心脏穿刺从所有治疗组小鼠收集血液以测定每只动物的血浆中氟虫腈砜浓度。结果表明,在实验室和模拟野外条件下,在存在替代饮食的情况下,可以充分食用RTB。用RTB处理导致15天暴露期间白足小鼠的死亡率为100%,并阻止了4天暴露期间100%的幼虫进食。所有死于RTB的小鼠均显示出华法林毒性的迹象。所有被暴露于RTB的壁虱寄生的小鼠在血浆中都可检测到氟虫腈砜,即使检测到的最低浓度(十亿分之8.1)也可以控制100%寄生的肩胛骨幼虫。结果表明,RTB可能是用于ITM程序的啮齿动物和tick虫控制的有用手段。