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
IntroductionMaterials and methodsResultsDiscussion
IntroductionIntroduction
Why can households not effectively control rodents ?
Super Intelligent Rodents ?
Rodent resistance ?
Sleeping Fat Cats ?
South Africa
SOUTH AFRICA – Limpopo Province
SOUTH AFRICA – KwaZulu-Natal North Region
SUSTAINABLE RODENT CONTROL FOR SUBSISTENCE FARMERS IN SOUTH AFRICA
IntroductionMaterial and methodsResultsDiscussion
SurveysSurveys
• Pre- and post-trapping survey• Socio-economic assessment• Anthropological study • Market survey
Baseline 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 identification
Baseline data: RatZooMan
SUSTAINABLE RODENT CONTROL FOR SUBSISTENCE FARMERS IN SOUTH AFRICA
IntroductionMaterials and methodsResultsDiscussion
Surveys
ProvinceMethod Limpopo KwaZulu-NatalRodenticide 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 survey
Trap success: 80 houses Limpopo
Trap success: 200 houses KZNMvuzini village
0
5
10
15
Oct/Nov Nov/Dec Dec/Jan Jan/Feb
perc
enta
ge tr
ap s
ucce
ss
intensive trapping Control
Tholakele and Ophuzana (control)
05
1015
20253035
Oct/Nov Nov/Dec Dec/Jan Jan/Feb
census period
perc
enta
ge tr
ap s
ucce
ss
intensive trapping (Tholakele)control (Ophuzana)
Rodent community structure: different habitats in houses
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
Village BBKloof GaPhaahla Nkomo MapateSpecies H F H F H F H F RZMAethomys ineptus X X X X X X XAethomys namaquensis X X XDasymys incomtus XLemniscomys rosalia X X X XMastomys coucha X X X X XMastomys natalensis X X X X XMus musculus X X X X X XMus minutoides XOtomys angoniensis X X X XRattus rattus X X X X X X XRattus tanezumi XRhabdomys pumilio X XSaccostomus campestris X X X XSteatomys sp X XTatera leucogaster X X X XElephantulus sp. XMyosorex sp. X
Rattus tanezumi – first record in South Africa
Rodents trapped in Limpopo crop fields 2002-2004
Crop fields: rodent damage
Rodent zoonosis
RodentsN = 202
DogsN = 34
Plague 0 0Toxoplasmosis 18,3% 52,9%Leptospirosis 6,7% 97%
SUSTAINABLE RODENT CONTROL FOR SUBSISTENCE FARMERS IN SOUTH AFRICA
IntroductionMaterials and methodsResultsDiscussion
Active participation – better understanding
Dissemination of results: feedback
Dissemination of results: radio
Development of public-private service provision: Training
Development of public-private service provision:Improved rodent control tools produced locally
Conclusion