Laboratory trials of five rodenticides for the control of Mesocricetus auratus Waterhouse.

The efficacy of five rodenticides for use in bait against the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus Waterhouse) was investigated in the laboratory. The species proved to be resistant to warfarin (up to 0.5%) and difenacoum (0.005%), but brodifacoum (0.005%) gave complete mortality after three days' feeding. Calciferol (0.1%), though toxic, was significantly unpalatable. Zinc phosphide (5.0%) presented in a choice test for two days against unpoisoned feed gave 100% mortality, and appears to be the most suitable of these compounds for the control of M. auratus in the field.