Movements of Feral Hogs in Response to Warfarin Bait Consumption

The distribution of feral hogs throughout North American has increased dramatically since their introduction. The use of toxicants has proven to be a n effective tool in controlling feral hog numbers in several countries. Using data from 13 GPS hogs, we compared movements and space use of control and treated hogs between pre-baiting and baiting phases of 3 feral hog toxicant field tests. Generalized linear mixed models were used to explain prospective changes in movements. In addition, we evaluated the distance of toxicant-killed feral hog carcasses from bait stations, roads, and cultivated crop plots. The mean distances traveled by treatment hogs between the pre-baiting and baiting periods was reduced by 43.9%, 32.1%, and 48.8% for daily, diurnal, and nocturnal periods, respectively. Daily and nocturnal movements exhibited a significant decrease between pre-baiting and baiting phases by feral hogs as a result of bait consumption. Mean space use size between the pre-baiting and baiting periods for treatment hogs was reduced by 37.5% and 30.0% for 95% MCP and 50% MCP, respectively but was not a result of bait consumption. Toxicant-killed feral hog carcass distance from bait stations, cultivated crops, and roads averaged (± SE) 919.4 ± 68.1 m, 908.9 ± 72.1 m, and 120.7 ± 34.9 m, respectively. These carcasses were never recovered from crop plots or near roads and were typically found in natural land cover types. The toxicant warfarin reduced movements of feral hogs, which in turn can reduce their damage to crop and reduce the spread of disease

Movements of Feral Hogs in Response to Warfarin Bait Consumption

The distribution of feral hogs throughout North American has increased dramatically since their introduction. The use of toxicants has proven to be a n effective tool in controlling feral hog numbers in several countries. Using data from 13 GPS hogs, we compared movements and space use of control and treated hogs between pre-baiting and baiting phases of 3 feral hog toxicant field tests. Generalized linear mixed models were used to explain prospective changes in movements. In addition, we evaluated the distance of toxicant-killed feral hog carcasses from bait stations, roads, and cultivated crop plots. The mean distances traveled by treatment hogs between the pre-baiting and baiting periods was reduced by 43.9%, 32.1%, and 48.8% for daily, diurnal, and nocturnal periods, respectively. Daily and nocturnal movements exhibited a significant decrease between pre-baiting and baiting phases by feral hogs as a result of bait consumption. Mean space use size between the pre-baiting and baiting periods for treatment hogs was reduced by 37.5% and 30.0% for 95% MCP and 50% MCP, respectively but was not a result of bait consumption. Toxicant-killed feral hog carcass distance from bait stations, cultivated crops, and roads averaged (± SE) 919.4 ± 68.1 m, 908.9 ± 72.1 m, and 120.7 ± 34.9 m, respectively. These carcasses were never recovered from crop plots or near roads and were typically found in natural land cover types. The toxicant warfarin reduced movements of feral hogs, which in turn can reduce their damage to crop and reduce the spread of disease

The efficacy of bait (0.005% fipronil) in reducing the flea index of <i>Xenopsylla gerbili minax</i>.

<p>The efficacy of bait (0.005% fipronil) in reducing the flea index of <i>Xenopsylla gerbili minax</i>.</p

Field evaluation of a 0.005% fipronil bait, orally administered to <i>Rhombomys opimus</i>, for control of fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) and phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the Central Asian Republic of Kazakhstan - Table 1

<p>Bait and fipronil application rates per <b>(A)</b> total treatment area; and <b>(B)</b> treated colony.</p

<i>Xenopsylla gerbili minax</i> fleas collected within the treatment and control plots from wild-caught great gerbils during the pre-treatment, treatment, and post-treatment periods.

<p><i>Xenopsylla gerbili minax</i> fleas collected within the treatment and control plots from wild-caught great gerbils during the pre-treatment, treatment, and post-treatment periods.</p

Total <i>Phlebotomus</i> spp. sand flies collected in CDC light traps set 17 times from June 1-July 29, 2016.

<p>Total <i>Phlebotomus</i> spp. sand flies collected in CDC light traps set 17 times from June 1-July 29, 2016.</p

Adult great gerbils (<i>Rhombomys opimus</i>) consuming fipronil-based grain bait (red).

<p>Adult great gerbils (<i>Rhombomys opimus</i>) consuming fipronil-based grain bait (red).</p

Map of boundaries and gerbil colony locations with the treatment (bottom) and control (top) plots.

<p>Red and blue dots indicate selected colony locations within the treatment and control plots, respectively. Small squares surrounding the treatment and control plots indicate the plot boundaries. The larger boundary surrounding the treatment plot indicates the buffer zone. Map was generated in ArcGIS using ArcMap with a World Imagery base layer (Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community).</p

The location and occupancy status of all 134 gerbil colonies within the treatment area upon which two fipronil bait applications were performed June 16 and June 21, 2016.

<p>Map was generated in ArcGIS using ArcMap with a World Imagery base layer (Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community).</p