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SRA -LGAREC

U P D A T E SPublished by the SRA-La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center La Granja, La Carlota City 

Negros Occidental, Philippines ? 0973-222-810

Vol. 2 No. 7 October 1998

 

RAT CONTROL IN SUGARCANE

Rodents have been a major economic problem in sugarcane

production in the Philippines. Besides causing direct damage to the

crop, they cause secondary losses due to infestation, like fallen cane

stalks, fermentation and subsequent loss in sucrose content of the canes.

These rodents damage sugarcane by chewing out portions of the

stalk internodes when canes are about 7 months old. The trend of damage was observed to increase as the cane matures and most

especially when it lodges.

Studies showed that rats in Negros Island inflict stalk damage

from 6 to 7 percent that is equivalent to 2.3 percent total sugar loss. A

recent survey on rat damage in different field locations of the La Carlota

Mill District (Rosales et al., 1995) showed an average total sugar loss

of 0.21Lkg/ha amounting to about P2,186,783.46 districtwide.

Different practices and methods were singly done to control this

menace. However, it was observed that in order to effectively control

rats, an integration of all possible and practical ways is necessary.

The following are the general approaches in the conduct of the rat

control program:

1. Sanitation- to prevent early and frequent migration of field rats

and to reduce their present number in the field, sanitation likeweeding and clearing of stubbles must be done. A clean and

weed-free field offers limited food sources and cover, thus

reduces attractiveness of habitat.

2.   Physical Method -digging and excavation of burrows would

deprive rats of breeding places in the cane field and also prevent

their re-use. Burning can also be employed using the blanket 

system. In this method, the infested field is harvested on all sides

going to the center. This portion (the remaining center) is then

burned while being surrounded by workers and rats that escape

from the burning field are then clubbed to death.

3. Use of Less Preferred Varieties- It was found out that canes that

have a softer rind, high in sucrose content, and prone to lodging

are very much preferred by rats. Varieties such as Phil 7779, Phil

56226 and Phil 6607, having one or all of these characteristicsshould not be used in areas with a prevalent rodent infestation.

Locally bred high yielding varieties (HYV's) Phil 6lll, Phil 6723,

Phil 8013 and other newer fast growing and erect varieties have

been observed from naught to less preferred by rats.

4.  Proper Cultivation -- deep tillage in plant cane and off-barring in

ratoon should be properly practiced to minimize lodging. Rat

injury is higher on lodged canes.

5. Use of Rodenticides - The chemical materials currently used in

control programs may be conveniently classified into (a) acute

toxicants (quick acting, the animal dying soon after it has

ingested the poison. ex. Zinc Phosphide); and, (b) chronic

toxicants or anti-coagulants -are powders that are mixed with

appropriate bait materials and are slow-acting which usually takes

3-5 feedings before the rat dies. There are anti-coagulants in wax-

blocks or pellet forms with a fast acting effect and requires lesser

number of feedings. These are called 2nd generation anti-

coagulants.

How to apply rodenticides in the fields: 

Acute Toxicants- are used only when the rat population is veryhigh which poses an extreme danger of crop damage or

disease. Baiting with the use of this chemical must be done

simultaneously in the whole area affected. Due to its highly

 toxic nature, acquisition and application of this chemical 

 must be supervised by trained personnel or agriculturist

 from local government units.

Chronic Toxicants (used either as a follow-up of acute toxicant

application or as maintenance and control in the usual rat

populations.)

?? Start applying baits 7 months after planting or even earlier if 

there is damage observed.

?? Mix the right proportions of bait (usually commercial feeds)

and poison.

?? Place in ago-go plastic wrappers at 5-10 grams.

?? Distribute them inside the field at the base of the stalks at

about 5 m. from the field border with a distance of 5-10

meters between baits.

?? Increase or decrease number of baits based on observed

consumption.

?? Application is done every 15 days or bi-monthly from 7-11

months. This mode of application was observed to control

the resident rat population and prevent the entry of invading

rat populations.

?? wax blocks are distributed in the field in the same manner

minus the mixing and the wrapping.

6.  Education and Training - training of personnel in the safe and

effective rodent control technologies and the use of rodenticides

should be encouraged. SRA’s OPSI includes rodent control as

one of its topics.

7.  Monitoring - monitor the progress of the control program to

check the efficacy of the control measures adapted, that is, if the

poison bait applied is enough or if the bait material needs to be

replaced, etc. These things including the present rodent damage

of a farm must be regularly checked and recorded./glr

Sources:

SRA-LGAR EC SUGARCANE Bulletin Vol.1No.1.

SRA-OPSI Handbook 1997. Revised Edition.