Synanthropic rodents and forms of synanthropy. Synanthropic rodents Synanthropic rodents
CHAPTER I. MATERIAL AND METHOD OF SHZDSHANGE.
1.1. General! oishi, research,.
1.2. Research method.
1.2.1. Labeled© earshs. rats
1LL+ Definitions increase sarsh:. rats
1.2.3. Determination of the state of the generative system.
1.2.4. By changing; nature of use, territory, synanthroshmi rodents and with the help of recording traces on. gshdvvyh sites.
1.2.5". Counting the number of synanthropic rodent species.
1.2.6. Development of methods for studying the spatial distribution of synanthropic rodents in the residential zone of the city*.
1.2*6.1. Detection of rodents in the basements of multi-storey buildings, s; using dust pads.
1.2.6.2, Study; spatial distribution: house mice, in apartments of multi-storey residential buildings.
1.2.6.3. Carrying out; continuous observations (monitoring) of changes in the placement of: synanthropic rodents c. residential areas of the largest cities.
CHAPTER 2. FINAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CITY'S RESIDENTIAL ZONE.
DEVICE FEATURES. I. A LOT OF USAGE
STOREY HOUSING HOUSES.
SEAM 3. FEATURES. HABITAT. SYNANTHROPIC RODENTS IN
RESIDENTIAL. CITY ZONE.
3.1, Gray rat.
3.1.1. Spatial distribution of gray rat populations in the stingy area of the city.
3.1.2. Features of the habitat of gray rats in multi-storey residential buildings. *.
3.1.2.1. Rat habitats in multi-storey residential buildings.
3.1.2.2. Burrows and shelters.
3.1.2.3. Number of gray rats.
3.1.2.4. Spatial structure of rats. IQ
3.1.2.5. Age: structure of the forest of gray rats.
3.1.2.6. Reproduction.
3.2. House mouse.
3.2.1. Spatial distribution: house mice in a residential area of the city.
3.2.2. Features of house mice settling in multi-storey buildings*.
3.2.2.1. Habitats of house mice in multi-storey buildings.
3.2.2.2. The occupancy of house apartments in residential buildings of different dates of construction.
3.2.2.3. Comparative population of mice in residential buildings of different heights.
3.2.2.4. Floor distribution of house mice in multi-storey residential buildings.
3.2.2.5. Spatial distribution of house mice in multi-storey residential buildings.
3.2.3. Features of the spatial distribution of house mice when living together with gray rats.
CHAPTER 1U. DEVELOPMENT OF STRATEGY AND TACTICS FOR FIGHTING AGAINST THE USA
RODENT INfestation IN THE SLIGHT ZONE OF THE CITY.
4.1. Analysis of the main approaches to rodent control in the cities of the USSR.
4.1.1. Strategy and tactics of rodent control.
4.1.2. Methods and means of rodent control.
4.1.3. Assessing the effectiveness of deratization measures.
4.2. Development of an ecological approach to the system of deratization maintenance of the residential area of the city.
Recommended list of dissertations in the specialty "Zoology", 03.00.08 code VAK
Assessment of the epidemiological significance of the components of the urban synanthropic fauna 2003, Candidate of Biological Sciences Orekhov, Igor Vladimirovich
Ecological and biological characteristics of the house mouse (Mus musculus L.) in educational institutions of Omsk 2006, Candidate of Biological Sciences Putin, Andrey Viktorovich
Ecological foundations and approaches to population management of synanthropic rodent species: the example of the gray rat Rattus norvegicus Berk 2007, Doctor of Biological Sciences Rylnikov, Valentin Andreevich
Analysis of epizootological factors in the functioning of foci of dangerous zoonotic infections of viral and bacterial etiology 2012, Doctor of Biological Sciences Tarasov, Mikhail Alekseevich
Modern epidemiological features of leptospirosis infection in a large city 2004, Candidate of Medical Sciences Trifonova, Galina Fedorovna
Conclusion of the dissertation on the topic “Zoology”, Melkova, Valentina Konstantinovna
CONCLUSION
A populated area, being a kind of biocenosis created by man (urbanocenosis), is characterized by very special conditions for the existence of animals and plants. Natural biotopes characteristic of a given geographical zone are transformed into interzonal ones, characteristic exclusively of urban cenoses. Studying the ecology of species living in large populated areas is necessary from many points of view, including issues of nature conservation, recreational processes, epidemiology, etc. This work is devoted to the study of the ecology of the most numerous mammals in large cities - synanthropic species of rodents.
In the process of urban development, conditions are created that are not unambiguous in terms of the degree of favorableness for synanthropic rodents. At a short distance, places with favorable conditions sharply alternate with less favorable ones and those in which rodent habitation is completely impossible. For example, warehouses for storing products with negative and positive temperatures are located next to office premises and corridors; Undeveloped places for collecting household waste are located not far from squares and main streets with heavy traffic.
The habitation of rodents in the city is connected, on the one hand, with the conditions that arise in the process of urban development, and on the other, with the widespread intensive persecution of them by humans. The combination of conditions that arise leaves an imprint on all aspects of the life activity of rodents in the city.
The uneven living conditions of synanthropic rodents creates a mosaic of their spatial distribution throughout the city as a whole and in individual buildings.
The habitation of gray rats in buildings is associated mainly with basements, which have a free connection with the rooms in which food or food waste is stored. The number of technical violations that allowed rats to enter warehouses and garbage chambers directly affected the number of rodents in buildings. The presence of shelters and the ability to penetrate food products is decisive for rats living in buildings. A comparison carried out in the USA on changes in the number of rats under the influence of extermination, deprivation of food and renovation of houses showed that improving the sanitary and technical condition of buildings is a more effective measure than extermination with traps and poisons (Davis, 1977), and in the cities of Germany, thanks to good sanitary condition of residential buildings, rats are not found in them, although their high numbers in natural habitats have been noted (Telle, 1962). According to our surveys, the majority of buildings commissioned have construction defects that favor the habitation of gray rats and increase the capacity of their habitat. In $80.2 garbage chambers, rats had the opportunity to freely penetrate food waste. There are a large number of construction defects that provide shelter for rats. There were 14.9 + 7.1 technical violations per 100 m2 of floor, and clutter in the basements further increased the number of shelters (per 100 m2 - 8.7 + 5.9 places of clutter). The number of existing construction defects is so great that when 90-100 rats lived in an 8-section house, only $76.7 was used to construct burrows; when reducing the number of rats as a result of extermination to 12-15, 13 was used; technical violations.
Reducing the carrying capacity of the habitat could be achieved* by carrying out the following measures:
1. Reducing the number of technical violations of the main structural elements of buildings and their joints during installation work.
2. Ensuring the sealing of exits from cavities and voids of building structures.
3. Eliminate places that provide additional hiding places for rats by reducing clutter in basements.
4. Ensuring thorough sealing of the intersections of communications (water supply, sewerage) with the interfloor ceilings of buildings.
Reducing the food supply can be achieved by:
1. Separate collection (food waste in special containers) of household waste.
2. When designing buildings, provide for the convenience of moving household waste from waste disposal chambers to container sites or for loading them into waste trucks.
3. Timely removal of household waste. Their accumulation should not exceed 1-2 days.
4. Particularly careful sealing of communication entry points and joints of structures in waste collection chambers.
5. Designing such structures for niche parts of garbage chutes that could ensure that rodents do not have access to household waste.
6. Ensuring the installation of garbage chambers, existing projects, the absence of gaps between the bottom of the garbage chutes and the walls of the garbage chambers.
Currently, the listed activities are not being carried out or are being carried out in insufficient volume and quality. Under these conditions, the main factor affecting rodent populations in cities is the implementation of deratization work by specialized services.
Deratization measures increase the uneven spatial distribution of rat populations in the city. Long-existing rat settlements are located at a considerable distance from each other, ranging from several hundred meters (200-300) to 2-3 km. Places where rats lived for a long time were characterized by an easily accessible, stable food supply (products in grocery stores, warehouses, canteens, etc. and food waste collected in garbage collection chambers and other places). The presence of rats in such places was favored by a huge number of shelters, an abundance of places for making nests, the presence of water, and microclimatic conditions. The preservation of long-term rat settlements in buildings with a large number of technical violations is associated not only with the greater capacity of the habitat in such places, but also with the fact that rats had the opportunity to move in the internal cavities of the ceilings, bypassing means of extermination (in particular, sticky deratization compositions) , which ensured the preservation of individual individuals even with fairly intensive use of various means of extermination.
Most of the factors influencing the mobility of rats in a large city are related to human activities. Some factors, such as sanitation and extermination measures, are aimed directly at rodents, while others, such as flooding basements with water, sewage, land management, repair and other work, affect rodents indirectly. As a result of human activity * on the territory of the city and in individual buildings, the motor activity of rodents increases. Along with movements associated with the normal life of the group (research activity, resettlement of young animals, seasonal movements, etc.), there are movements caused by the listed reasons, and the scale of such movements can be significant. In urban conditions, unity of conservatism in the use of territory and mobility is especially necessary, because allows rats to find the most favorable places for them with minimal human influence and helps maintain the integrity of the species.
The spatial distribution and use of territory by individual groups of rats, as well as the distribution throughout the city, is uneven. This is expressed in the different number of individuals included in the groups and in the heterogeneity of their use of the territory. On the territory occupied by groups of rats, there is a zone where their life activity is most active, confined to food sources and burrow sites, and a zone of periodic passages associated with the research activity of rats and maintaining contacts between neighboring groups. This type of spatial structure promotes the survival of rats, especially with existing control methods, when extermination means are dispersed throughout the entire basement area. Rats eat the proposed bait mainly in the activity zone. With a decrease in numbers, the territory actively used by rats decreases, and if single individuals remain, it is confined to internal areas. » areas of ceilings in which rats become invulnerable.
Due to better protective and feeding conditions, the number of synanthropic rodents in indoor habitats is usually higher compared to open biotopes. Better living conditions in populated areas affected their life expectancy. When deratization measures are carried out irregularly, a significantly larger percentage of adult rats remain in rats than among those living in the fields. Increased deratization work reduces the average life expectancy of rats living in open habitats. Different methods of fighting rats affect different sex and age groups, which allows, by varying them, to provide a targeted effect on individual groups of rats.
Depending on the methods of control in individual groups of rats, the role of one or another age group in restoring numbers changes. When using Gero traps, older age groups are preserved, which play the greatest role in population restoration. When using baits and baitless methods of control, the role of older age groups in restoring numbers decreased, and when single individuals were preserved, all females that reached sexual maturity participated in reproduction.
Thanks to year-round reproduction, the restoration of the number of rats with the weakening of rodent control proceeds quite quickly. In the absence of deratization for 3-4 months. the number of rats in 6-8-section multi-storey buildings was more than 200 individuals. With a deratization efficiency of $90, the population can fully recover within 59 weeks C,
With no less success than gray rats, the house mouse has mastered large urban planning complexes. The data obtained on the population of mice in houses of various types, number of floors and time of construction revealed the peculiarities of their settlement by mice. The house mouse inhabits buildings of any type, due to which the distribution of house mice throughout the city is currently wide, and continuous settlements are formed in some areas. The information obtained about the distribution of mice in buildings showed that they penetrate into all parts of multi-storey residential buildings. However, not all rooms are preferred by them equally. Together with the limited and unequal opportunities for mice to move in different directions, an uneven, mosaic distribution of the house mouse within multi-story residential buildings arises. This is expressed in the uneven floor distribution of mice, which assumes a natural pattern of these rodents being confined to organizations and institutions associated with the storage, processing and sale of food products, especially bakery and grocery products, garbage chambers, individual apartments or groups of apartments. Moreover, they inhabit the same premises both for several months in a row and at intervals of several months after successful extermination measures. The persistent colonization of individual apartments by house mice suggests that there are conditions here that facilitate the penetration of these rodents into these apartments, and perhaps the microclimatic features of these apartments. The obtained facts about the spatial distribution of mice in multi-story buildings made it possible to make assumptions about the peculiarities of their settlement throughout the entire volume of the building.
The data we obtained allowed us to develop an ecological approach to carrying out measures to limit the number of synanthropic rodents in the largest and largest cities with the construction of large urban development projects typical of them.
Currently available approaches to carrying out deratization measures do not take into account the peculiarities of the spatial structure of synanthropic rodents; large-scale work is practiced using rodenticides. This leads to enormous material and labor costs, and to unreasonable pollution of cities with pesticides. Strategically, it is most advisable to conduct observations of the spatial distribution of synanthropic rodents throughout the city and only on the basis of these data to use extermination means. We developed and tested a method for continuous observations of the spatial distribution of synanthropic rodents in the residential area of the city. Carrying out continuous observations allows not only for more targeted regulation of the number of rodents, but also for the future to predict changes in the state of rodent populations under the influence of specific means of extermination. The development of methods for continuous monitoring of changes in the number of rodents throughout the city, analysis of the sex and age structure, the level of physiological resistance to poisons and the defensive reaction to their preparative forms will provide a targeted impact on the populations of synanthropic rodents in the urban community system.
Please note that the scientific texts presented above are posted for informational purposes only and were obtained through original dissertation text recognition (OCR). Therefore, they may contain errors associated with imperfect recognition algorithms. There are no such errors in the PDF files of dissertations and abstracts that we deliver.
Who are synanthropic rodents?
Rodents are eternal neighbors
Rodents are a special type of mammal that has managed to firmly establish itself on this planet and populate almost the entire landmass of the Earth. They are not afraid of existence in the mountains, on trees and even in water (there are individuals that live calmly in bodies of water). Today, there are a large number of species of rodents living in a variety of places. These small animals are eternal neighbors of people and regularly intersect with them in everyday life, which in most cases has a negative impact on humans. This is why deratization is so important.
Who are synanthropic rodents? The term synanthropy refers to a rodent that exists in close proximity to humans. If we turn to the beginning of human history, it turns out that primitive people also lived next to rodents, which were attracted to human housing by the opportunity to profit. But rats became synanthropic much later, when people began to cultivate the land and keep livestock. They remain that way today; rodents are difficult to get rid of. Although there are many methods, one truly effective one is the Security-Protective Deratization System, which causes fear and an uncontrollable desire to escape and never return to the object with which it is equipped.
Synanthropic rodents are characterized by:
- They are not large;
- They can eat anything;
- If there is food in the territory where they have settled, but in small quantities, the rodents will not leave; if they are able to travel long distances in search of food;
- If a Security and Protective Deratization System is not installed at the facility, favorable conditions are created for them and rodents begin to multiply at high speed;
- Rats are not afraid of people, in addition, they have their own hierarchy and their populations are characterized by unstable and unpredictable behavior. Therefore, the OHDS system should be installed as soon as rodents are detected, and preferably earlier.
Only one family of rodents can live near people. There are several hundred species of mice and rats, of which there are five synanthropic species. They can reproduce up to eight times during the year. Although their mortality rate is high - up to 95%, due to their short pregnancy and rapid reproduction, they are always present in our lives.
The extermination of rodents is a very complex process, they are tenacious, they eat anything, they exist in large groups, and landscaping work does not cope with the task of extermination. A truly effective method is deratization, aimed not at destruction, but at expulsion.
Mice that live in houses feed on grains and seeds, and they also need water. It happens that they can exist in the same territory as gray rats, but it is extremely rare. If a mouse gets into an apartment, it lives in pantries, it can live in bags with food supplies, in flower pots.
What can a rat do?
- Freely pass through small cracks and holes, walk through pipes.
- Their path can be vertical or horizontal, they move along wires, walls, trees, if a rat has chosen an object, it will not get there on its own, which is why the ODS system is necessary.
- Rodents can climb and jump high, dig passages in a vertical direction, dive and swim well, and overcome strong currents and long distances.
- Their teeth cope with any obstacles; there are few materials that they are unable to chew through.
- They live without food and water for six days, without water, but eating for almost three weeks.
Synanthropic rodents are dangerous pests
If a Security and Deratization System is not installed at the facility, the first thing that will suffer is food, wires, and various communications. But the worst thing is Sudoku. If a rat carries dozens of pathogens (hemorrhagic fever, visicular rickettsiosis, plague, leptospirosis, etc.), then it transmits only this disease, which sometimes ends in death. The rest can affect humans indirectly.
Today, the best way to combat these pests is deratization. It has become popular due to the fact that the OZDS system quickly and strongly affects rodents, which leave human territory in the shortest possible time, while the rats do not receive any physical harm.
With the onset of low temperatures, citizens increasingly turn to us because rodents have begun to invade their homes. Rodents find warmth, shelter and food in our homes.
Rodents are capable of not only destroying and spoiling food, but are also carriers of a number of dangerous diseases. A number of viral and bacterial infections (HFRS, tularemia, yersiniosis, etc.) are spread mechanically by rodents, contaminating food, fodder, water, bedding, etc. with excreta (saliva, urine, excrement).
Let's learn more about rodents, their biology, and their usual habitats.
On the territory and in buildings of Vladivostok and settlements of the Primorsky Territory, mainly three species of synanthropic mouse-like rodents live: gray and black rats, and the house mouse. The gray rat and house mouse live everywhere. The black rat is found mainly in facilities located on the territory of the Fishing and Commercial ports. In open undeveloped areas, on objects located on the city border, gray rats, house mice, field mice, common and bank voles can live together. Among all the listed species, the gray rat always dominates in quantitative terms over other species. Body sizes, paw marks and droppings differ sharply from other species (Table No. 1, Fig. 1).
Table No. 1
Distinctive morphological characteristics of the gray black rat and the house mouse
Signs |
Gray rat |
Black rat |
House mouse |
Body length without tail |
15-25 cm |
15-20 cm |
7-10 cm |
Tail length |
More body length. Has up to 270 scale rings |
Almost always equal to the length of the body. Has 180 scale rings |
|
Weight |
200-350 g, rarely up to 500 g |
About 200 g |
20-30 g |
Muzzle |
Dumb |
Acute |
Pointed |
Ears |
Small, densely covered with hair, not translucent, when bent forward, do not reach the eyes; length from base 2 cm |
Large, almost naked. The sheer ends can be pulled up to the eyes. Length from base 2.5 cm |
Relatively long, when turning forward they close their eyes. Length 1.5 cm |
Feet |
Relatively small. The toes of the hind legs have leathery folds |
Relatively wide. There are no skin folds |
Rice. 1. Traces and shape of droppings of various types of mouse-like rodents
Gray rat (pasyuk)- Rattus norvegicus, the largest representative of the mouse-like subfamily. Adult gray rats weigh from 190 to 400 g, the body is long, reaching 20 - 25 cm. The muzzle is blunt, the ears are small, flattened, the tail is shorter than the body and head, the color of the back fur is gray, brown or brown (variations are possible). On the hind legs between the toes there are rudiments of leathery membranes. Inhabits nature and livestock farms. Gravitates towards places where food products are stored and processed. The diet of gray rats is dominated by animal feed, but their diet is very diverse. They willingly eat greens, grains, vegetables and fruits. Daily feed consumption is 40 – 60 g. They require water availability.
Rats breed under favorable conditions all year round. At 3–4 months of age, rats become sexually mature. Pregnancy lasts 21–23 days. 6–8 cubs survive to adulthood. A day after giving birth, the female is again ready for fertilization. One female can bring up to 6 litters per year.
Black (ship, roof) rat- Rattus rattus, has medium sizes. Adults weigh from 100 to 250 g, body length 15 - 20 cm. The eyes and ears are large, and the ears, bent forward, cover the eye. The muzzle is pointed. The tail is single-colored, longer than the body and head. The color of the fur is dark or reddish-brown. Sexual maturity occurs at 3 – 5 months. Pregnancy lasts an average of 22 days. There are 6–8 cubs in a litter. The female brings 4–6 litters per year. By nature of nutrition, black rats are omnivores, but they prefer plant and succulent food - fruits and vegetables. Daily feed consumption is 15 – 30 g, water up to 30 g.
Black rats are the main inhabitants of sea and river vessels, especially fishing fleets. They climb, jump well, and can move along wires and ropes. They are nocturnal. When their numbers are high, they are not afraid of people. They are found at coastal facilities of sea and river ports.
House mouse- Mus musculus, has a body weight of 10 - 25 g, length - 7 - 12 cm. The coat is uniform, dark gray in color. The body is small. The tail is only slightly darker above than below, half naked, almost the same length as the head and body. The ears are not very large, protruding. Sexual maturity occurs at 1.5 months. Mice breed all year round. Pregnancy lasts 19 – 20 days. There are on average 5 – 8 cubs in a litter. The number of litters per year reaches eight. By nature of their diet, house mice are omnivorous, but prefer cereal grains. One mouse consumes from 2 to 7 g of food and 1 to 1.5 g of water per day.
Table No. 2
Distinctive features of the morphology of a house mouse and one-month-old rat pups
Signs |
Adult house mouse |
One month old rats |
Muzzle |
Pointed |
Dumb |
Tail length |
Almost always equal in length to the entire body. Has 180 scaly rings. |
Shorter than the body. Has about 210 scaly rings |
Ears |
Relatively long, when turning forward they close their eyes. Length 15 mm |
Small, densely covered with hair, not translucent; when bent forward, they do not reach the eyes. |
Feet |
Feet are long, soles are wide, not covered with hair |
Small ones. There are leathery folds between the bases of the toes of the hind legs. |
Paw prints |
Narrow, with narrowly spaced phalanges |
large with spaced phalanges, sometimes interdigital leathery folds are visible |
Gray and black rats, house mice, forest and gray voles, field mice and some other species of rodents use specific urban environments as habitats. At some sites in settlements of particular epidemiological significance (Appendix), stocks of various food products are concentrated, which attracts rodents and creates favorable conditions for their life. Invading populated areas and the adjacent territory, these species pose a serious epidemiological threat and cause economic damage to the population.
The ecological plasticity of rodents, the presence of a variety of food and favorable habitats allows them to easily adapt to life near humans, multiply quickly and increase their numbers to the point of disaster. During historical development, people in the process of economic activity constantly encountered rodents and sought to prevent, eliminate or reduce their harmful effects on their health and living conditions. However, rodents still have great medical and economic importance in people's lives. During periods of high numbers, they disperse over long distances, which contributes to the spread of pathogens of natural focal infections and infection of people with especially dangerous diseases. Epizootics and infestations of rodents pose a great danger, as a result of which pandemics, epidemics or epidemic outbreaks of viral, bacterial and protozoal infections can occur.
Rodents spread a large number of viral and bacterial infections (HFRS, tularemia, yersiniosis, etc.) mechanically, contaminating food, fodder, water, bedding, etc. with excreta (saliva, urine, excrement).
In the process of changing socio-economic relations in the country in recent years, a sharp transformation of the anthropogenic landscape has occurred. Overgrowing of agricultural fields, abandoned summer cottages, industrial buildings, livestock farms with weeds and shrubs, or contamination of forested areas with household waste, led to the settlement of exoanthropic rodents and, at the same time, the preservation of synanthropic rodents in these territories. As a result of these processes, very active mixed natural-anthropurgic foci of zoonotic infections were formed, characterized by a diversity of species composition of sources, vectors and pathogens of zoonotic infections, as well as intensive contact of the population with such territories.
Simultaneously with the formation of mixed foci, there was a reduction in the volume of systematic rodent control in settlements, railway, water and air transport, and in areas managed by forestry and agriculture. The decrease in the volume of deratization measures led to an increase in the areas of outbreaks, an increase in the number and distribution of rodents, an increase in the epizootic activity of natural and anthropological outbreaks, which complicated the epidemic situation in the country and contributed to the emergence of epidemics of natural focal diseases.
The economic harm that rodents cause by eating agricultural products, damaging human buildings, sound and heat insulating materials, electrical communications, etc., reinforces the general attitude towards them as pests.
We will talk about methods and means of controlling rodents in the next publication.
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A little history - the settlements of primitive man and even his predecessors, the ape people, were sometimes very long-lasting, for example, the layer of ash and coal in one of the caves where Pithecanthropus (Homo erectus) lived 300 thousand years ago reached 27 meters. Around the settlements, the so-called synanthropic fauna was formed - the fauna of accompanying species (from the Greek syn - together and anthropos - man.) Garbage heaps with food remains near his dwellings attracted various birds, four-legged animals and, of course, rodents. However, the complete synanthropization of a number of their species occurred much later, only with the beginning of cattle breeding and agriculture.
The beginning of wild animal husbandry began in the Eastern Mediterranean 10-12 thousand years BC. with the domestication of the goat. Agriculture began in the Middle East 6 thousand years BC. introduction of wheat, barley, peas and lentils into cultivation. Around the same time, 8 thousand years BC. , and also in the Middle East, the first real human habitations appear.
Primitive stone, wooden and adobe buildings with roofs made of earth or covered with grass, branches and tree leaves provided rodents with almost ideal shelters. In parallel, the emergence of animal husbandry and agriculture led to the accumulation of previously non-existent food supplies. As a result, synanthropic species of rodents appear, for which the human home has become not only a source of food, but the main, and sometimes the only habitat.
Initial properties of synanthropic rodents: 1). small sizes; 2). lack of narrow specialization in movement; 3). omnivorous; 4). a combination of the ability, when there is an abundance of food, to be limited to an extremely small territory for a long time and, conversely, when there is a lack of food, to move long distances; 5). the ability, under favorable conditions, to reproduce continuously; 6). lability of behavior and diversity of social structures; 7). stress resistance to human presence.
Of all the diversity of rodent species, representatives of only the 1st family have adapted to such close cohabitation with humans. These are Mouse (Muridae), and out of this entire family (about 400 species), only 4 species of rats and 1 species of mouse are synanthropes. All the family Muridae are inhabitants of the Old World. Of this entire family, only the Gray (R.norvegicus), Black (R.rattus) rats and the House mouse (M.musculus) were brought by Man to America. The Polynesian or coconut rat (R. exulens exulens) lives in the Philippines, N. Guinea, N. Zealand, Hawaii, Easter Island (not in Australia), the Argentine rat (R. argentivente) - lives in the rice fields of the mainland SE. Asia. (Priomus Priomus natalensis Africa, Plague)
The reproduction of all rats is remarkable for its intensity: short pregnancy (20-27 days), rapid puberty (1.5 - 2.5 months for different species). Multiple pregnancies (4-8 litters per year), a large number of cubs in the litter (up to 15 for the Pasyuk). The annual mortality of the population can reach 95%, but as a result of intensive reproduction, its number remains constant.
The significant rate of population renewal makes it possible to quickly genetically adapt to changing environmental conditions. For the same reason, one-time extermination of rats is ineffective - the cost of control is not recouped due to the short duration of the period of low numbers.
Rats are especially eager to eat any animal food and concentrated plant food and very rarely eat greens.
The black rat is the main species inhabiting seagoing vessels, especially those transporting grain and food products. The black rat is originally an arboreal form; it is more climbing, jumping and populating objects vertically (primarily ships), and in the attics of buildings in houses. It is approximately half the size of the gray rat, and therefore less strong and is replaced by the gray rat. It is possible for them to live together.
Rats lead a predominantly group lifestyle. They tend to crowd together because, for example, per 1000 m2 their density can reach up to 100 individuals, and in the city as a whole this figure can be 30-50 individuals per hectare. Moreover, both figures are indicators of a very high number.
Improvement of housing and the city does not necessarily lead to a decrease in the number of rodents. So in 5-story buildings there are no garbage chutes and rats have to cross open spaces to get from the basements of houses to garbage dumps. In houses with garbage chutes, both food and housing are concentrated in one place, and 1 garbage chamber in a 12-story building can feed 40-60 rats.
The more defects in a building that were made during the construction process (cracks, fistulas, voids, etc.), the more rats it can accommodate. In addition, time introduces additional disturbances, and rodents actively expand and use them. The survey showed that in Moscow in 80% of cases there are 2.5 violations per 1 garbage chamber.
The house mouse is initially a seed-eater, a granivorous form that feeds on fairly concentrated food and in small quantities. A prerequisite for their habitat is the presence of water. However, one animal consumes only 3 ml per day, and with increasing air humidity it decreases even more. So, at 30 0 and 80% air humidity, 80% of the mice in the experiment easily tolerated the lack of water and wet food. House mice reach sexual maturity at the age of 2-2.5 months, weighing 10.5 - 12.5 g, pregnancy lasts about 20 days. There are up to 13 cubs in a litter (average 6-7).
The cohabitation of a house mouse with a gray rat is extremely rare. However, mice can live for a long time in a rather limited area: within an apartment, room, closet, etc. and their paths do not intersect with the rats living in the basement of the same house. Nevertheless, it successfully resists the relatively small coconut rat (R. exulens exulens), and the bank vole is not allowed into our homes by a species that is epidemically much more dangerous than the house mouse. The house mouse is thermophilic and in the north of its range is not found outside human buildings, but on the islands of the Arctic Ocean and in buildings.
In apartments, mice live under peeling wallpaper, on shelves among dishes, right in dry foods, in flower pots. The number of house mice in Moscow generally decreases from the center to the periphery. It inhabits mainly residential buildings, but never reaches high numbers in them. On the contrary, it is much less common in industrial premises. At individual facilities, mainly in the bakery and confectionery sector, it is very numerous.
USSR ACADEMY OF SCIENCES INSTITUTE OF EVOLUTIONARY MORPHOLOGY AND ANIMAL ECOLOGY NAMED AFTER A. N. SEVERTSOV
Melkova Valentina Konstantinovna
SYNANTHROPIC RODENTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL ZONE OF THE LARGEST CITY AND MEASURES TO LIMIT THEIR NUMBER (using the example of Moscow)
Moscow, - 1990
< Академия наук ссср
^Institute of Evolutionary Morphology and Animal Ecology named after A. n. Severtsova
as a manuscript UDC 614. 449. 932
Valentina Konstantinovna
SYNANGROPIC RODENTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL ZONE OF THE LARGEST CITY AND MEASURES TO LIMIT THEIR NUMBER (using the example of Moscow)
dissertation for the degree of candidate of biological sciences
Moscow - 1990,
The work was carried out at the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Preventive Toxicology and Disinfection of the USSR Ministry of Health. „
Scientific supervisor - Candidate of Biological Sciences I. S. Turov.
Official opponents:
Honored Scientist of the RSFSR, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor
V. V. Kuch ERU K;
Doctor of Biological Sciences Yu. A. DUBROVSKY.
Leading institution: Tartu State University
11eRity
"about the state".. library
The defense of D1gssertatssh1 will take place on March 27 at a meeting of the Specialized Council D 002.48.02 for the defense of a dissertation for the degree of candidate of biological sciences at the Institute of Evolutionary Morphology and Animal Ecology named after. A. N. Severtsov Academy of Sciences of the USSR, 117071, Moskva-71, Leninsky Prospekt, 33.
The dissertation can be found in the library of the Department of General Biology of the USSR Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Leninsky Prospekt, 33.
Scientific Secretary of the Council Candidate of Biological Sciences
¡P. T. Kapralova
Relevance of the problem. In recent years, more and more attention has been paid to the study of “various components of ecosystems that have developed as a result of human economic activity. Anthropogenic impact and the creation of urbanized areas lead to fundamental changes in natural biotopes. Human intervention in natural ecosystems inevitably leads to changes in various aspects of the biology of those living in a given territory species of animals. At the same time, the adaptation of animals to human-created conditions is considered as an adaptive process aimed at synanthropy (Isakov, 1969; Mo'chapeku, 1982). Among mammals, synanthropic species of rodents are most adapted to life in populated areas: the gray rat - and house mouse. Despite the widespread distribution of enanthropic rodents, issues of their ecology remain insufficiently studied, especially in the largest cities (more than a million inhabitants), which was emphasized in the resolutions of the All-Union Conferences (Moscow, 1983, 1986, 1987), . devoted to the study of environmental issues, medical significance, and measures to limit the number of gray rats and house mice. Existing gaps in the study of the habitat characteristics of these species in specific conditions created by humans in the process of intensive urban development make it difficult to develop an ecologically sound approach to regulating their numbers.
Purpose of the study. To study the ecological characteristics of the gray rat and house mouse in the residential zone of the largest cities, to develop approaches to regulating their numbers based on monitoring their spatial distribution, taking into account the characteristics of their habitat in the residential area of the city.
Research objectives:
1. Analyze the possibility of using existing methods for studying the ecology of rodents in the residential area of the breed. Conduct research to adjust them and develop new methods taking into account specific conditions.
2. Study the patterns of distribution of gray rats and house mice in the residential area of the largest city.
3. Identify the influence of living conditions, including direction! ■what anthropogenic impact on the placement of gray rats and house mice in residential buildings of different times and types of construction.
4. Investigate the nature of the use of territory, mobility, reproduction, sex and age structure of gray rats in residential buildings.
5. Develop a system for monitoring the spatial distribution and dynamics of the number of gray rats and house mice and, based on it, tactics of extermination measures, taking into account the characteristics of the rodents’ habitat. Test the developed practical recommendations for rodent control.
Scientific novelty. For the first time, a set of techniques has been developed that allows continuous observations of the spatial distribution of synanthropic rodents throughout the city and in individual buildings. The topography of settlements of the gray rat and house mouse in the residential area of Moscow is shown, and the reasons for the uneven distribution of these species are explained. Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the factors influencing the habitation of rodents in buildings and the dynamics of their appearance outside the main settlements were obtained. The influence of anthropogenic influence, including pest control, on the nature of the use of territory by gray rats, changes in the age-sex structure, reproduction and number of animals was studied. A system of permanent measures to regulate the number of rodents based on continuous observations (monitoring) of their spatial distribution is substantiated.
Practical significance. “Guidelines for the control of rodents in residential buildings” were developed and approved by the USSR Ministry of Health (1987); “Guidelines for the production and use of Vaseline paste to combat gray rats (Vazkum)”, 1989.
The dissertation materials were used when giving lectures at the Central Order of Lenin Institute for Advanced Medical Studies (1983-1989), Republican seminars
meetings of disinfection service workers (Pavlodar, 1982; Kustanay, 1986; Alma-Ata, 1989).
Structure and scope of work. The dissertation consists of an introduction, 4 chapters, a conclusion, conclusions and appendices. The materials are presented on 2–8 pages of typewritten text, include AS figures and 55 tables. The list of cited literature consists of 510 titles, of which 5 are in foreign languages.
INTRODUCTION
Based on literary data, a review is given of changes in the trigenital environment that occur under the influence of human economic activity and animal adaptations; human-created conditions. The views on the problem of synanthropism and the form sipaitropni are considered. It shows the poor degree of knowledge of the ecology of synanthropic species of rodents in the city’s ecosystem and the need for these research studies to solve the problems of regulating their numbers in large cities.
Chapter 1. MATERIAL AND RESEARCH METHODS
The studies were conducted in 1982-1988. in the area of disinfection statistics of the Main Directorate of Health
city security of the Moscow City Executive Committee (Moscow). To obtain comparative data, the organization and methods of carrying out deratization activities in Leningrad, Kyiv, Minsk, Riga, Chisinau, Volgograd and Yaroslavl were studied.
In four districts of Moscow, experimental sites were identified as models, represented by types of development dating back to the 50s, 60s and 70s. The shallow areas are 3-5 km long, the total area of buildings on which was 3,077,319 m2.
The features of the design and operation of multi-storey residential buildings as a habitat for synanthropic rodents have been studied. A quantitative assessment of possible shelters has been carried out and! availability of food sources. The basements of 14 multi-storey residential buildings with an area of 17951 square meters were examined. m. and 65 garbage chambers. The number and location of technical violations of floors, steps, ceilings, places of passage of communications, as well as places of clutter were noted. Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained on changes in the use of technical violations as shelters depending on the number of rats (weekly observations on an area of 1680 sq. m. throughout the year). An assessment of the microclimate (temperature, humidity) in the habitats of rodents was carried out: 90 measurements in various parts of the basements; literature data were used for residential premises.
To study the spatial distribution of synanthropic rodents, methods have been developed that allow continuous observations over the entire area of the plots. When studying the distribution of house mice, diagrams of the location of apartments in houses were drawn up on special cards. The results of monthly observations were plotted on the diagrams, noting apartments free from rodents, inhabited by them, and also. apartments with periodic appearance of mice. Observations were carried out over a period of 1-2 years with full coverage of all apartments in the building. To detect rodents in the basements of residential buildings, the optimal locations for dust sites and their number were determined, which made it possible to establish the nature of the distribution of rodents in the basements. These two methods ensured continuous observations (monitoring) of the distribution of rodents throughout the city, based on the optical
the small number of necessary means of detecting rodents, the frequency of data collection for each building, the time spent on conducting surveys,
Observations were carried out in 70 food stores, canteens, cafes, etc., 25 hospitals, clinics, 30 kindergartens, nurseries, schools, 641 service institutions (hairdressers, studios, department stores, post offices, repair shops, etc. ). 34,021 apartments were examined in 209 multi-storey buildings. Data on the spatial distribution of gray rats and house mice are plotted on site plans and diagrams of residential buildings.
Observations of movements, the nature of the use of territory occupied by groups of rodents, and changes in activity were carried out using dust sites (Aizenstadt, 1949), similar in essence to mud or sand “albums” (Formozov, 1959). The platforms, located throughout the basement every 1-5 m, were in the same places during the entire observation period. The number of passages on each of the platforms was noted. To clarify the movements of the animals, talc and fine sand were sprayed onto the floor surface in the form of paths of various lengths and widths. Observations were carried out in 10 buildings for a period of 3 months to 1.5 years. 72334 control sites were carried out.
When studying the mobility of gray rats, the tetracycline method was used (Rylyshkov et al., 1981). Tagging was carried out in two buildings with an area of 1224 and 1750 sq. m. m.
Methods for recording the number of spnanthropic rodents were subjected to critical analysis and, based on our own data, adjustments were made to the methods. Counts of the number of spnanthropic rodents were carried out using Gero traps (45,040 trap-days), according to the consumption of grain bait (42,799 weighings), and monitored dust sites (156,202 control sites.)
684 rats were obtained and subjected to zoological processing with determination of weight, state of the generative system (Tulikova, 1964) and age based on the degree of wear of the crowns of the teeth (Karnoukhova, 1971; "Rylyshkov, Karaseva, 1985).
The data obtained were processed statistically (Plokhipsky, 1970).
A deratization maintenance system has been developed and tested for two years on an area of 173 hectares. The total area of buildings was 906 thousand square meters. m. The data obtained formed the basis for the preparation of methodological documents approved by the USSR Ministry of Health (1987, 1989).
Chapter 2. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CITY RESIDENTIAL ZONES. FEATURES OF CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF MULTISTORY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
In recent decades, the habitat of sypanthropic rodents in cities has changed, primarily as a result of intensive housing construction. The number of individual households has sharply decreased, on the site of which the construction of residential buildings of 5 or more floors began. If in the 30s wooden buildings occupied 70% of the city's area, now they account for only 1%. Brick, block and panel buildings make up 99.5% of buildings (Moscow in figures, 1987). The system for collecting household waste has changed, which also influenced the change in the living conditions of sypanthropic rodents. If in individual households household waste was collected in each yard, then during the mass construction of 5-story residential buildings, which began in the 60s, one container site was equipped for several buildings, depending on the number of residents. During the transition in the 70s to the construction of multi-storey buildings (6 floors and above), it was necessary to collect household waste in each section of the house in specially equipped garbage chambers, which increased the number of waste collection sites compared to the buildings of the 00s. Placing waste collection sites inside buildings has improved the protective and microclimatic conditions for the existence of rodents. Food waste discarded by the population is characterized by significant diversity. They contain waste from vegetables, fruits, bakery products, meat, fish, etc. and provide rodents with a wide range of complete food. The availability of feed in garbage chambers was determined by the design features provided for by the projects, as well as by defects that arose during the construction and operation of buildings. The survey showed the presence of defects that allow rodents to freely access household waste in 80.2% of waste disposal chambers, "8.
Over the past 30 years, there have been changes in the design of buildings. Until the end of the 50s, residential buildings were built according to “individual projects.” The ground floors were intended to house shops, workshops, hairdressers, etc. The basements were occupied by warehouses. There were attics. A radical change occurred in the 60s with the transition to 1C construction of standard five-story buildings. Since that time, service sector enterprises, as a rule, began to be located in separate buildings. The basements of residential buildings were used for connecting various communications (water supply, sewerage, electricity, etc.). The attics were replaced with attic floors. There were a number of features of the passage of communications in houses of various types. Technical violations existing in the buildings provided rodents with shelters and contributed to the construction of burrows. The presence of various objects increased the number of shelters. Per 100 sq. m. of floor surface accounted for an average of 15 construction defects and 9 places of clutter.
Based on the data obtained, the specifics of different periods of development (50s, 60s, 70s) are considered. The characteristics of the layout of buildings, their design, number of storeys, the use of various building materials from the point of view of the living conditions of rodents are given:
Chapter 3. FEATURES OF THE HABITAT OF SYNATHROPIC RODENTS IN THE RESIDENTIAL ZONE OF THE CITY
3.1. Gray rat.
The spatial distribution of rodents throughout the city is closely related to the structure of buildings and the process of urban planning. In 1931 -1932 97.2% of the building area was inhabited by rats (Zalezhsky, 1955). In the post-war years, the number of rats in Moscow was sharply reduced and by the beginning of the 50s it became 30 times lower compared to 1945 (Levi, Sudeikpn, 1975). According to the Moscow Disinfection Station in 1988, gray rats inhabited 2.5°/n of the building area.
Despite the decline in numbers, rats continue to live widely in Moscow, populating all areas of the city. (Mazni, Sudeikin, 1986). The greatest timing-
Rats show affinity for multi-storey residential buildings (Sudeikin, 1986), which lasts for more than 20 years.
The distribution of rats throughout the city is characterized by unevenness. The amount of building area inhabited by them in different areas of Moscow varies from 0.7 to 16.7% (1988).
Observations carried out in experimental areas showed the presence of stable settlements and the periodic appearance of rats in buildings free from them. A feature of the existence of synanthropic rodents in the largest cities is their widespread “extermination, carried out by a special service. Under these conditions, the preservation of individual rat settlements was facilitated by the design features of some buildings, allowing rats to move without extermination means, even with their intensive use. Sustainable rat settlements were located at a distance from 200-300 m to 2-3 km from each other. Periodic appearance of rats was observed at intervals of 1-3 to 8 or more months and occurred in all seasons of the year. The appearance of both single animals and several animals was observed (from 3 to 3 months). 8) individuals. There were also buildings in which the appearance of rats was not recorded.
In buildings, rats lived mainly in basements, which had free connections with places where food was stored or household waste was collected. There were isolated cases of rats living on the upper floors in the presence of a free connection between a large number of internal cavities and apartments.
To construct burrows in buildings, rats used mainly those defects that were located closer to food sources, even in places where human disturbance was low. With a reduction in the number, the number of technical violations used by rats decreased, the unevenness of the location of burrows in relation to food sources increased. Thus, with a reduction in the number of rats from 90-100 individuals to 12-15, the number of technical violations used decreased from 76.7°/o to 13.2°/o; the coefficient of variation in the location of residential burrows increased from 123.9% to 237.0% due to their greater concentration near garbage chambers. In urban conditions, the proximity of the burrows to food sources becomes particularly important because it allows rats. do less
yew movements, lead a more hidden lifestyle and avoid means of extermination. This helps more individuals survive.
The number of rats living in buildings, as well as the number of individuals included in individual groups, varied within very wide limits depending on specific living conditions and changed dramatically as a result of extermination measures. In some buildings, deratization work caused a decrease in the number of rats by 5-10 or more times; when deratization was weakened for 2-3 months, the number increased to 200 individuals in one building.
Labeling with tetracyclines showed that under relatively constant conditions the rats exhibited a high degree of sedentism. Of the 31 rats that had a tetracycline mark, 27 were caught on the territory of the mosque (10x15 m). Various human economic activities: repair, construction work, laying communications, etc., flooding of basements with sewage, water led to an increase in the mobility of rats. In the flooding of the territory occupied by rats, we recorded marked individuals not only in the marking area, but throughout the entire basement. The appearance of rats on the upper floors and in neighboring buildings was noted. In the area where frequent flooding of basements occurred, the percentage of buildings with periodic appearance of rats was 45°/o. , in the absence of flooding of such buildings there was less than 7p/o.
Observations carried out in the territory occupied by groups of rats showed that the entire surface of the floor and floor cavities was used. Movements. performed in vertical and horizontal directions. In the territory occupied by groups of rats, the most actively used space was the one immediately adjacent to food sources and places where pores were installed, usually within 3-4 m. In multi-storey residential buildings, these were garbage chambers and adjacent rooms. Throughout the rest of the territory, periodic passages were made, the number which depended on the number of rats in the building, with a decrease in the number, the number of movements in the periodic passage zone decreased first of all, even during daily observations and increased not only with an increase, but also.
a decrease in the number of rats as a result of their extermination. This is apparently due to the need to establish contacts between neighboring groups in changed conditions.
There were differences in the use of territory by animals of different age groups. Young individuals weighing up to 150 g were caught almost exclusively in the area most actively used by rats.
Due to year-round breeding, the groups of rats living “in buildings included all age groups, however, the proportion of specific age groups in different buildings varied extremely greatly. If in one building” the maximum was in the middle age groups, then at the same “time in another "the building was dominated by younger and older age groups."
It was found that the age structure in the city is determined by methods of pest control. When using Gero traps, animals of all age groups were caught, but “after capture, on average, larger individuals remained. The difference in weight between the captured and surviving (caught by other methods) rats was significantly greater by 44.8 g with the value of the Student test equal to 2.5. The use of poisons led to the predominant death of animals of older age groups, as a result of which the proportion of middle and younger age groups increased. The shift towards younger age groups was greatest with a combination of bait and non-bait methods of extermination.
A change in the ratio of different age groups as a result of rodent control led to a change in their role in the restoration of numbers. When single individuals were kept in the building, all individuals that reached sexual maturity participated in reproduction.
3.2. House mouse
Compared to the gray rat, the house mouse is currently a more numerous species in Moscow.
Since the 50s, the house mouse began to dominate in catches. Tso data.g.)
the occupancy of buildings in Moscow districts ranges from 15-30%. However, when detecting mice in buildings, great methodological difficulties arise. The methodology we developed for examining multi-storey buildings showed an underestimation of the results obtained by the disinfection station by 3-5 times or more. According to the data obtained, the percentage of buildings in which mice lived in certain areas reached 98.2%. Widespread distribution of mice throughout the city
This is due to the fact that they can live in buildings of various types, number of storeys, time of construction, and functional use. The highest affinity of the mouse is
They came to the premises of enterprises and organizations related to the storage and processing of food products, which in the experimental areas were inhabited in 46% of cases.
The living conditions of mice in buildings are different, which determines both the intensity of their colonization of buildings of one type or another, as well as. and the occupancy of a particular building.
Thus, the occupancy of residential buildings built in the 50s was 80% in the experimental areas, in the 60s - 10.8%, and in the 70s -< 35,1%. Заселенность квартир в многоэтажных домах зависела от времени постройки, типа здания, его этажности. В среднем заселенность квартир мышами в домах 50-х годов составила 7,8+11,7%; в домах 60-х годов - 0,5+ 1,8«/«; 70-х годов - 1,7+3,3%.
Of the buildings currently under construction, panel houses are the most populated with mice (3.7% of apartments). In paiel-no-block houses, the occupancy of apartments was 1.8%; block - 0.9%; large-panel - 0.5%. With an increase in the number of floors in a house, the average percentage of apartments occupied by mice fell and amounted to 2.6% for 9-story buildings and 1.8% for 12-story buildings; 14-storey buildings - 0.6%; 16-storey buildings - 0.8%.
An analysis of various factors influencing the habitation of mice in buildings showed that the ability of mice to move freely around the building is of decisive importance. This occurs both in houses built in an earlier period and those being built at the present time.
Unlike rats, mice live on all floors of buildings. In all types of multi-storey residential buildings, the occupancy of apartments on the middle floors is lower compared to the lower and upper floors.
In all the buildings surveyed, there were mice-inhabited
The philistines were distributed throughout the building in a mosaic pattern. There were rooms whose occupancy was stable and rooms with the periodic appearance of mice. Premises persistently inhabited by mice included food storage areas and individual apartments. Grouping of apartments inhabited by mice was observed, most often consisting of 2-3 apartments (74®/o cases).
Places with periodic appearance of mice included individual apartments, technical undergrounds, etc. In technical undergrounds, mice appeared more often in spring and autumn, although their appearance was also noted at other times. “During the warmer months, we noted the appearance of mice in buildings that were completely free of them throughout the winter.
Chapter IV. DEVELOPMENT OF STRATEGY AND TACTICS
FIGHTING SYNATHROPIC RODENTS IN THE RESIDENTIAL ZONE OF THE CITY
The generally accepted principle of rodent control in large cities of the USSR is to carry out complete systematic deratization, which means carrying out extermination measures in all rodent habitats in the populated area throughout the year. The rationality of this approach is beyond doubt. However, as a study of the experience of disinfection stations fighting rodents in cities has shown, the implementation of this principle encounters great difficulties, which is primarily associated with ensuring the collection of information about the habitats of rodents. The continuity of anthropogenic impact on populations of synanthropic rodents and their response requires equally continuous monitoring of the state of their population, taking into account the spatial distribution, nature of use of the territory, population dynamics, behavioral characteristics, etc. Until now, methods of continuous observation have been developed that work according to the principle monitoring and implementing them in the practice of control measures was not possible. Practical institutions carry out activities based on fragmentary data obtained, and this leads to an underestimation of the actual state of affairs and creates the impression of imaginary well-being.
In carrying out the extermination activities themselves, there were two fundamentally different approaches, based on ideas about the mobility of rats. The first point of view is based on the low mobility of rats and the possibility of stage-by-stage (Kuzyakin, 1963) or massive one-time destruction of their settlements (Popov, 1970). The second point of view is based on the idea of high mobility of rats and the need for large-scale use of means of extermination both in populated areas; and in buildings free from rodents (Toschigpn, 1974): At the same time, it was recommended that the means of extermination be dispersed as widely as possible in the habitats of rodents; which should increase as their numbers decrease (Sudeikin, 1981).
Our research has shown that neither approach can solve the problem of regulating the number of endangered rodents in large populated areas. A one-time massive use of extermination means in individual places or the phased elimination of rat settlements is impossible due to the existence of constant movements of rodents and the preservation of individual settlements even with the continuous use of extermination means for a long time (from a year or more). The large-scale use of extermination means with uniform distribution in the habitats of rodents does not take into account the mosaic distribution of rodents throughout the city and in individual buildings, and the varying quality of the territory used by groups of rats. In addition, this approach leads to unnecessary pollution of the environment with pesticides.
The author proposed and tested in practical conditions a system of deratization measures based on continuous observations (monitoring) of the spatial distribution of rodents throughout the city (see diagram). The set of developed methods for examining multi-story residential buildings provided data on changes in the use of territory by rodents throughout the entire volume of buildings. The basis for monitoring the state of rodent populations was the combination of observation techniques with the organization of their implementation. To solve this problem, methodological approaches were developed to establish the daily task for the disinfector and the examination procedure.
SCHEME FOR REGULATING THE NUMBER OF RODENTS ON THE BASIS OF MONITORING THEIR SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION IN THE CITY
Number of people
GRYZ UNOV
Monthly observations Monthly observations Examination at least
Observations on the spatial distribution of _rodents_
Observations at least once
Monthly examination_
1 time per year
Places where rodents have not been present for 3 years
Places unfavorable FOR! , habitats of rodents |
Places to live! rodents possible
Long-term habitats for rodents
Use of means of extermination
Places with periodic occurrence of rodents
The appearance of rodents on travel routes
Initial stages of development of new habitats
Means of extermination do not (use 1
Observations on population changes
Declining trend
Usage
applied
funds and me-
Maintaining numbers" on one
I ^use of additional means and techniques increases” ^mortality of rodents
Tendency to increase in number
Analysis of the reasons for the increase in numbers
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design of the site (drawing up layout diagrams of the building on the site and premises in the buildings, determining the scope of work in each of the buildings and areas of the open area, the frequency of work and the labor costs necessary for their implementation). The data obtained during the observations were analyzed, as a result of which decisions were made on the need to carry out certain activities in specific places. In buildings where there were no traces of rodent activity for more than a year, the frequency of inspection was reduced and extermination agents were not used. In buildings where the periodic appearance of rodents was noted throughout the year, the likelihood of their appearance and the possibility of living in this building were assessed. Depending on this, they increased or. reduced the frequency of examinations, the results of which depended on the use of extermination means. In places where rodents lived for a long time (more than a year), observations were made of their use of territory and population dynamics. Based on these data, extermination work was purposefully carried out using the means and methods of deratization that were most effective in this situation. The choice of extermination means used, the location of poisoned baits, pollination, and application of sticky pest control compositions depended on the reaction of the rodents. From places where rodents did not take the poisoned bait, it was moved to places where they were eaten the most. Sticky compositions were placed along the paths of the most intense passages of rodents, which also changed during the deratization effect.
The practical use of the developed system of de-ratting measures on the experimental site made it possible to reduce the rat infestation of buildings from 16% to 2.3%. The number of rooms infested with mice decreased from 3.4% to 1.3%. In addition, a more rational use of means of exterminating rodents, primarily chemicals, was achieved, which helped reduce environmental pollution with pesticides.
CHAPTER I. MATERIAL AND METHOD OF SHZDSHANGE.
1.1. General! oishi, research,.
1.2. Research method.
1.2.1. Labeled© earshs. rats
1LL+ Definitions increase sarsh:. rats
1.2.3. Determination of the state of the generative system.
1.2.4. By changing; nature of use, territory, synanthroshmi rodents and with the help of recording traces on. gshdvvyh sites.
1.2.5". Counting the number of synanthropic rodent species.
1.2.6. Development of methods for studying the spatial distribution of synanthropic rodents in the residential zone of the city*.
1.2*6.1. Detection of rodents in the basements of multi-storey buildings, s; using dust pads.
1.2.6.2, Study; spatial distribution: house mice, in apartments of multi-storey residential buildings.
1.2.6.3. Carrying out; continuous observations (monitoring) of changes in the placement of: synanthropic rodents c. residential areas of the largest cities.
CHAPTER 2. FINAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CITY'S RESIDENTIAL ZONE.
DEVICE FEATURES. I. A LOT OF USAGE
STOREY HOUSING HOUSES.
SEAM 3. FEATURES. HABITAT. SYNANTHROPIC RODENTS IN
RESIDENTIAL. CITY ZONE.
3.1, Gray rat.
3.1.1. Spatial distribution of gray rat populations in the stingy area of the city.
3.1.2. Features of the habitat of gray rats in multi-storey residential buildings. *.
3.1.2.1. Rat habitats in multi-storey residential buildings.
3.1.2.2. Burrows and shelters.
3.1.2.3. Number of gray rats.
3.1.2.4. Spatial structure of rats. IQ
3.1.2.5. Age: structure of the forest of gray rats.
3.1.2.6. Reproduction.
3.2. House mouse.
3.2.1. Spatial distribution: house mice in a residential area of the city.
3.2.2. Features of house mice settling in multi-storey buildings*.
3.2.2.1. Habitats of house mice in multi-storey buildings.
3.2.2.2. The occupancy of house apartments in residential buildings of different dates of construction.
3.2.2.3. Comparative population of mice in residential buildings of different heights.
3.2.2.4. Floor distribution of house mice in multi-storey residential buildings.
3.2.2.5. Spatial distribution of house mice in multi-storey residential buildings.
3.2.3. Features of the spatial distribution of house mice when living together with gray rats.
CHAPTER 1U. DEVELOPMENT OF STRATEGY AND TACTICS FOR FIGHTING AGAINST THE USA
RODENT INfestation IN THE SLIGHT ZONE OF THE CITY.
4.1. Analysis of the main approaches to rodent control in the cities of the USSR.
4.1.1. Strategy and tactics of rodent control.
4.1.2. Methods and means of rodent control.
4.1.3. Assessing the effectiveness of deratization measures.
4.2. Development of an ecological approach to the system of deratization maintenance of the residential area of the city.
Conclusion Dissertation on the topic "Zoology", Melkova, Valentina Konstantinovna
CONCLUSION
A populated area, being a kind of biocenosis created by man (urbanocenosis), is characterized by very special conditions for the existence of animals and plants. Natural biotopes characteristic of a given geographical zone are transformed into interzonal ones, characteristic exclusively of urban cenoses. Studying the ecology of species living in large populated areas is necessary from many points of view, including issues of nature conservation, recreational processes, epidemiology, etc. This work is devoted to the study of the ecology of the most numerous mammals in large cities - synanthropic species of rodents.
In the process of urban development, conditions are created that are not unambiguous in terms of the degree of favorableness for synanthropic rodents. At a short distance, places with favorable conditions sharply alternate with less favorable ones and those in which rodent habitation is completely impossible. For example, warehouses for storing products with negative and positive temperatures are located next to office premises and corridors; Undeveloped places for collecting household waste are located not far from squares and main streets with heavy traffic.
The habitation of rodents in the city is connected, on the one hand, with the conditions that arise in the process of urban development, and on the other, with the widespread intensive persecution of them by humans. The combination of conditions that arise leaves an imprint on all aspects of the life activity of rodents in the city.
The uneven living conditions of synanthropic rodents creates a mosaic of their spatial distribution throughout the city as a whole and in individual buildings.
The habitation of gray rats in buildings is associated mainly with basements, which have a free connection with the rooms in which food or food waste is stored. The number of technical violations that allowed rats to enter warehouses and garbage chambers directly affected the number of rodents in buildings. The presence of shelters and the ability to penetrate food products is decisive for rats living in buildings. A comparison carried out in the USA on changes in the number of rats under the influence of extermination, deprivation of food and renovation of houses showed that improving the sanitary and technical condition of buildings is a more effective measure than extermination with traps and poisons (Davis, 1977), and in the cities of Germany, thanks to good sanitary condition of residential buildings, rats are not found in them, although their high numbers in natural habitats have been noted (Telle, 1962). According to our surveys, the majority of buildings commissioned have construction defects that favor the habitation of gray rats and increase the capacity of their habitat. In $80.2 garbage chambers, rats had the opportunity to freely penetrate food waste. There are a large number of construction defects that provide shelter for rats. There were 14.9 + 7.1 technical violations per 100 m2 of floor, and clutter in the basements further increased the number of shelters (per 100 m2 - 8.7 + 5.9 places of clutter). The number of existing construction defects is so great that when 90-100 rats lived in an 8-section house, only $76.7 was used to construct burrows; when reducing the number of rats as a result of extermination to 12-15, 13 was used; technical violations.
Reducing the carrying capacity of the habitat could be achieved* by carrying out the following measures:
1. Reducing the number of technical violations of the main structural elements of buildings and their joints during installation work.
2. Ensuring the sealing of exits from cavities and voids of building structures.
3. Eliminate places that provide additional hiding places for rats by reducing clutter in basements.
4. Ensuring thorough sealing of the intersections of communications (water supply, sewerage) with the interfloor ceilings of buildings.
Reducing the food supply can be achieved by:
1. Separate collection (food waste in special containers) of household waste.
2. When designing buildings, provide for the convenience of moving household waste from waste disposal chambers to container sites or for loading them into waste trucks.
3. Timely removal of household waste. Their accumulation should not exceed 1-2 days.
4. Particularly careful sealing of communication entry points and joints of structures in waste collection chambers.
5. Designing such structures for niche parts of garbage chutes that could ensure that rodents do not have access to household waste.
6. Ensuring the installation of garbage chambers, existing projects, the absence of gaps between the bottom of the garbage chutes and the walls of the garbage chambers.
Currently, the listed activities are not being carried out or are being carried out in insufficient volume and quality. Under these conditions, the main factor affecting rodent populations in cities is the implementation of deratization work by specialized services.
Deratization measures increase the uneven spatial distribution of rat populations in the city. Long-existing rat settlements are located at a considerable distance from each other, ranging from several hundred meters (200-300) to 2-3 km. Places where rats lived for a long time were characterized by an easily accessible, stable food supply (products in grocery stores, warehouses, canteens, etc. and food waste collected in garbage collection chambers and other places). The presence of rats in such places was favored by a huge number of shelters, an abundance of places for making nests, the presence of water, and microclimatic conditions. The preservation of long-term rat settlements in buildings with a large number of technical violations is associated not only with the greater capacity of the habitat in such places, but also with the fact that rats had the opportunity to move in the internal cavities of the ceilings, bypassing means of extermination (in particular, sticky deratization compositions) , which ensured the preservation of individual individuals even with fairly intensive use of various means of extermination.
Most of the factors influencing the mobility of rats in a large city are related to human activities. Some factors, such as sanitation and extermination measures, are aimed directly at rodents, while others, such as flooding basements with water, sewage, land management, repair and other work, affect rodents indirectly. As a result of human activity * on the territory of the city and in individual buildings, the motor activity of rodents increases. Along with movements associated with the normal life of the group (research activity, resettlement of young animals, seasonal movements, etc.), there are movements caused by the listed reasons, and the scale of such movements can be significant. In urban conditions, unity of conservatism in the use of territory and mobility is especially necessary, because allows rats to find the most favorable places for them with minimal human influence and helps maintain the integrity of the species.
The spatial distribution and use of territory by individual groups of rats, as well as the distribution throughout the city, is uneven. This is expressed in the different number of individuals included in the groups and in the heterogeneity of their use of the territory. On the territory occupied by groups of rats, there is a zone where their life activity is most active, confined to food sources and burrow sites, and a zone of periodic passages associated with the research activity of rats and maintaining contacts between neighboring groups. This type of spatial structure promotes the survival of rats, especially with existing control methods, when extermination means are dispersed throughout the entire basement area. Rats eat the proposed bait mainly in the activity zone. With a decrease in numbers, the territory actively used by rats decreases, and if single individuals remain, it is confined to internal areas. » areas of ceilings in which rats become invulnerable.
Due to better protective and feeding conditions, the number of synanthropic rodents in indoor habitats is usually higher compared to open biotopes. Better living conditions in populated areas affected their life expectancy. When deratization measures are carried out irregularly, a significantly larger percentage of adult rats remain in rats than among those living in the fields. Increased deratization work reduces the average life expectancy of rats living in open habitats. Different methods of fighting rats affect different sex and age groups, which allows, by varying them, to provide a targeted effect on individual groups of rats.
Depending on the methods of control in individual groups of rats, the role of one or another age group in restoring numbers changes. When using Gero traps, older age groups are preserved, which play the greatest role in population restoration. When using baits and baitless methods of control, the role of older age groups in restoring numbers decreased, and when single individuals were preserved, all females that reached sexual maturity participated in reproduction.
Thanks to year-round reproduction, the restoration of the number of rats with the weakening of rodent control proceeds quite quickly. In the absence of deratization for 3-4 months. the number of rats in 6-8-section multi-storey buildings was more than 200 individuals. With a deratization efficiency of $90, the population can fully recover within 59 weeks C,
With no less success than gray rats, the house mouse has mastered large urban planning complexes. The data obtained on the population of mice in houses of various types, number of floors and time of construction revealed the peculiarities of their settlement by mice. The house mouse inhabits buildings of any type, due to which the distribution of house mice throughout the city is currently wide, and continuous settlements are formed in some areas. The information obtained about the distribution of mice in buildings showed that they penetrate into all parts of multi-storey residential buildings. However, not all rooms are preferred by them equally. Together with the limited and unequal opportunities for mice to move in different directions, an uneven, mosaic distribution of the house mouse within multi-story residential buildings arises. This is expressed in the uneven floor distribution of mice, which assumes a natural pattern of these rodents being confined to organizations and institutions associated with the storage, processing and sale of food products, especially bakery and grocery products, garbage chambers, individual apartments or groups of apartments. Moreover, they inhabit the same premises both for several months in a row and at intervals of several months after successful extermination measures. The persistent colonization of individual apartments by house mice suggests that there are conditions here that facilitate the penetration of these rodents into these apartments, and perhaps the microclimatic features of these apartments. The obtained facts about the spatial distribution of mice in multi-story buildings made it possible to make assumptions about the peculiarities of their settlement throughout the entire volume of the building.
The data we obtained allowed us to develop an ecological approach to carrying out measures to limit the number of synanthropic rodents in the largest and largest cities with the construction of large urban development projects typical of them.
Currently available approaches to carrying out deratization measures do not take into account the peculiarities of the spatial structure of synanthropic rodents; large-scale work is practiced using rodenticides. This leads to enormous material and labor costs, and to unreasonable pollution of cities with pesticides. Strategically, it is most advisable to conduct observations of the spatial distribution of synanthropic rodents throughout the city and only on the basis of these data to use extermination means. We developed and tested a method for continuous observations of the spatial distribution of synanthropic rodents in the residential area of the city. Carrying out continuous observations allows not only for more targeted regulation of the number of rodents, but also for the future to predict changes in the state of rodent populations under the influence of specific means of extermination. The development of methods for continuous monitoring of changes in the number of rodents throughout the city, analysis of the sex and age structure, the level of physiological resistance to poisons and the defensive reaction to their preparative forms will provide a targeted impact on the populations of synanthropic rodents in the urban community system.