Trap barrier system: a quick-selling intervention for rat management in the Ifugao rice terraces [Philippines]

• Published in: Philippine Entomologist (Philippines) Vol. 17; no. 2
• Main Authors: Gergon, E.B, Joshi, R.C, Catudan, B.M, Desamero, N.V. (Philippine Rice Research Inst., Maligaya, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija (Philippines)) Cabigat, J, Cayong, A, Sebastian, L.S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.10.2003
• Subjects: ARROZALES; CONTROL DE ROEDORES; FILIPINAS; HIGHLANDS; INFESTACIÓN; INFESTATION; LUTTE ANTIRONGEUR; ORYZA SATIVA; PHILIPPINES; PIÈGE; RAT; RATA; RATS; RICE FIELDS; RIZIÈRE; RODENT CONTROL; RODENTICIDAS; RODENTICIDE; RODENTICIDES; RÉGION D'ALTITUDE; TERRACES; TERRASSE; TERRAZAS; TRAMPAS; TRAPS; ZONA DE MONTAÑA
• ISSN: 0048-3753

Rat infestation in rice terraces clusters in the highlands of Ifugao [Philippines] appeared to be very serious during the 2001-02 cropping season. To validate this observation, a total of 60 farmer-owners of the terraced rice field in Banaue and Hungduan were surveyed in collaboration with the local government units. The survey showed that rats ranked first among the three major rice production constraints. Yield losses due to rat damage ranged from 38% to 75%. Most farmers considered sanitation and rodenticide baiting ineffective as rat management strategies due to untimely application. These strategies were applied individually in Banaue (83%) and Hungduan (100%). Rats were caught live through trap barrier system (TBS) and properly disposed. Thirty-eight rats have been collected in TBS in Hugduan with two rice croppings and 12 in Banaue with only one rice cropping over a span of three months. Testimonies from farmers near TBS have indicated low incidence of rat damage in their nurseries. The team is doing an active information campaign at community level for TBS