December 12th, 2017
A recent review of techniques used to detect and control the four introduced rodent species found on the New Zealand mainland and islands (house mice Mus musculus, ship rats Rattus rattus, Norway rats Rattus norvegicus and kiore Rattus exulans) identified the need for better understanding of rodent behaviour. This report provides a review of the published literature on rodent behaviour in relation to control devices, especially bait stations and baits. The review is based on searches of computer databases and information from key researchers on: taste preferences, meal size, neophobia, feeding behaviour, movements, home ranges and territoriality, bait shyness, aversion, resistance, odours, and colour preference. Other aspects of rodent behaviour, including responses to repellents, sounds and traps, are also briefly summarised.