Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for - Aseanipm ...

Section 4 • Integrated Insect and Rodent Pests Management
Exercise No. 4.17 165
USING CAGE TRAPS AND SCARING MATERIALS
AS MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AGAINST RATS IN
ORGANIC VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
BaCKGroUND aND raTIoNalE
Rats are among the most serious pests of organically-grown
vegetables in highlands and lowlands. Signs of gnawing,
nibbling, cut seedlings, and damaged plant parts (e.g.,
flowers, pods, fruits, roots tubers, etc.) and presence of
runways and burrows in field suggest their occupancy. Rats
are nocturnal animals, which can cause heavy damage on
organic vegetables and other crops at nighttime. Rats readily
multiply in areas where food is abundant. Under field conditions, rats can live for one year or longer.
A female rat can reproduce up to four times a year with an average of six offspring per litter.
Often, success of a rat campaign is determined by how many rats are killed. This is not true. A
high number of dead rats means that there are more rats out in the field ready to feed on vegetable
crops. This also means that the number of dead rats is not as important as the number of live
rats eating organically-grown vegetable crops in the field. Therefore, for rat management to be
effective, farmers must learn how to identify the presence of rats, understand rat burrow structures
and runways, and suggest practical rat management strategies.
More practical and effective management strategies against rats by some enterprising farmers had
evolved in the Cordilleras. For example, using cage traps and scaring materials are reported effective
and now common in Mountain Province. Similar effective strategies can be more regularly shared
among farmers in FFSs and, in the process, improved approaches may evolve. This exercise was
designed to achieve this purpose.
How long will this exercise take?
• Thirty minutes to one hour field walks, observations, and interaction with farmers; and
• Thirty minutes to one hour hands-on and brainstorming session.
165 Adapted from Callo, Jr., D.P., L.B. Teofilo, and H.A. Tauli (eds). 2002. Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Vegetable IPM, Volume II. SEAMEO
Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. pp212-215.
245
when is this exercise most
appropriate?
ɶ In FFS, TOT and VST
sessions, when there are
early infestation signs of
rats in the learning field;
and
ɶ When farmers want to
learn from other farmers
their innovative practices
in using traps and scaring
materials against rats in
organic vegetable fields.