Researchers re-engineer the mouse trap
Rats and mice carry over 70 diseases that can be transmitted to humans; they also damage crops and infrastructure. Current pest control measures are ineffective and introduce large amounts of toxins into the environment while the rodent population grows every year. The EU-funded PIEDPIPER (Piedpiper) initiative aimed to develop a pest control device that would outdo existing devices in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective manner. The researchers integrated new technologies from the project's four participating enterprises. PIEDPIPER worked to find the minimum amount of toxin that can be used to kill rodents. The researchers also wanted to deliver the toxin to the rodents' bloodstream without risk to humans or pets. To deliver the toxin to the rodents, PIEDPIPER developed an aerosol system that carries the toxin through the skin into the rodent's bloodstream. The researchers eliminated the need for food bait by screening rodent urine to isolate compounds to attract the rodents to the trap. Project members were able to surpass current industry standards by reducing the amount of toxin per rodent from 5 ml to just 1 ml. They developed a substance that is not water soluble and whose concentration can be controlled as it is sprayed onto the rodent. PIEDPIPER developed a product that is environmentally friendly, with lower toxic load than all current rodent poisons. This research has paved the way for safe and effective rodent control.
Keywords
Pest control, rodent, toxins, PIEDPIPER, environmentally friendly, bloodstream, aerosol system
