V3I9P11

Comparison of Different Methods of Rodent Control in Paddy Rice Farm Fields in Argungu Area, Kebbi State, Nigeria 

Mohammed Umar Lawal^1*, Abubakar Hassan Dalijan¹, Abubakar Sahabi Aliyu¹, Rukayya Musa Abarshi¹

Abstract

In Asia and Africa, where they can seriously harm paddy rice, rodents are especially problematic for subsistence and low-income rural farmers. Methods of controlling rodents ranged from traditional to more modern mechanical, chemical and ecologically based rodent management (EBRM). In this study, we tested the effectiveness of two common rodent pest control methods practices by paddy rice farmers on paddy rice crops in Argungu floodplain (fadama) paddy rice farms. Number of paddy rice shoot destroyed was used to assess the effectiveness of rodent bait trap and food substances masked with rodenticide methods of control. Food substances masked with rodenticide method of rodent control appeared to be more effective as a control measure against the rodent damage on the paddy rice crop. Lack of awareness of chemical rodenticides harmful effect to the environment and other non-target species among the farmers is well noticed. Mass awareness campaign on the harmful effect of chemical rodenticides and adopting ecologically based rodent management (EBRM) are highly recommended.

Keywords:

Paddy rice; Rodents; Rodenticides; Farmers