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Zinc Phosphide-Treated Bracts as an Alternative Rodenticide in Artichoke Fields for Meadow Vole (Microtus californicus) Control

Abstract

Artichoke growers in Monterey County, California currently use a fresh artichoke bract chlorophacinone bait to control their primary vertebrate pest, the California meadow vole. Upon suspected chlorophacinone resistance by meadow voles in artichoke fields, an alternative has been sought. We studied the effect of zinc phosphide-treated artichoke bracts on California meadow voles. We found that zinc phosphide-treated artichoke bracts were effective in reducing meadow vole populations on treated plots by 95-98%. Our results suggest that zinc phosphide-treated artichoke bracts are effective in reducing California meadow vole populations in artichoke fields and may provide a useful alternative for areas in which anticoagulant resistance by voles is suspected.

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