Rodent damage to Hawaiian sugarcane

• Main Authors: Tobin, Mark E., Sugihara, Robert T., Ota, Asher K.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: eScholarship, University of California 1990
• Subjects: Hawaii; sugarcane; Norway rat; Polynesian rat; Roof rat; rodent control; damage; rat; Rattus norvegicus; Rattus rattus; Rattus exulans; history; rat damage; zinc phosphide; efficacy; rodenticide; Life Sciences; Norway
• Online Access: http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/2j49733c

Rattus norvegicus, R. exulans, and R. rattus cause extensive damage to Hawaiian sugarcane. This paper gives an overview of the problem and briefly summarizes the history of rodent control on Hawaiian sugarcane plantations. Current baiting practices with zinc phosphide may favor the proliferation of R. norvegicus, and more effective control methods are needed for this species. A cooperative research and development program by the Denver Wildlife Research Center and the nonprofit Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association is described.