The Efficacy of Aluminum Phosphide, Brodifacoum and Floucomafen against the Mole Rat Spalax leucodon Nordmann, 1840 in Syria

Field trials were carried out during winter and spring of 2001, to evaluate the efficacy of a fumigant poison, and the preliminary field performance of two commercial formulations of a single dose anticoagulant rodenticides, against the mole rat Spalax leucodon at different locations in Syria. The efficacy was determined by measuring the mole rat activity to close opened holes made in the burrow system, before and after the treatment. Aluminum Phosphide applications were conducted during January - March where the soil humidity was high after rainfall. Two holes, close to the animal’s nest, in each burrow system were treated by inserting two tablets of Phostoxine (6 g) and reclosed firmly with soil to prevent escape of the released gas. The means of efficacy were 92.51%, 92.01%, 86.60% and 88.18% in the southern, costal, northern and the central regions respectively. No significant difference was found between the means of efficacy against mole rats in cultivated and uncultivated locations; 88.42% and 91.23% respectively. Ready for use formulations of the single dose second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides were used in April and May; where the soil humidity was low, in southern Syria (where it was difficult to use a fumigant poison). Two holes, in each burrow system, were treated by inserting 14 g of the formulations. The efficacy of Brodifacoum application caused 100% reduction in the activity, whereas it was only 50% for Flocoumafen.