The Gembloux Agricultural Research Centre has cooperated closely for several years with the Muskrat Trapping Department of the Regional Government of Wallonia (Water Division) in connection with management of water-specific animal pests. The muskrat (Ondatra Zibethicus L.) and the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus Berk.) are by far the most harmful species and require constant control. Other species also receive special attention due to the potential harm they can cause, notably the coypu (Myocastor coypus Molina), which like the muskrat can do considerable damage to river and stream banks, with all the ensuing undesirable consequences, such as a risk of flooding. Riverbank protection is part of water management within the prescriptive frameworks of the ‘European Water Framework Directive’, the ‘Walloon Regional Water Code’ and ‘Natura 2000’.
Objectives
The task of the River and Stream Rodents and Pests Laboratory is to carry on the research undertaken with the aim of providing sustainable solutions for effective control of the main pests occurring on river and stream banks and minimising the impact of the methods adopted on non-target species.
Description of tasks
1) Muskrats Assessing the secondary poisoning risk to predators preying on muskrats poisoned with chlorophacinone; Developing an infestation indicator for field assessment of muskrat numbers in a particular area; Quantifying the effectiveness of chemical control and calculating the percentage of carcasses occurring outside the holes; Studying the conformity of the different types of trap used by the Muskrat Trapping Department in the Walloon region with international cruelty-free trapping standards. 2) Brown rats Assessing the effectiveness, in individual cages and in the field, of the main rodenticides used by the Regional Government of Wallonia Trapping Department for brown rat control on the banks of category one rivers and streams; Scientific cooperation with the rodent control departments of local authorities in the Walloon region on request. 3) Coypu Drawing up an inventory of coypu populations in the Walloon region.
Expected results
The Laboratory aims to contribute to maintaining effective methods for keeping muskrat populations at the lowest possible level in the Walloon region and to support and also to propose innovations for the effective and environmentally sound implementation of comprehensive water-specific pest control.
Contribution
To develop a control method for keeping muskrat populations at the lowest possible level while limiting animal suffering and safeguarding non-target species.
Partners
Regional Government of Wallonia, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Water Division, Non-navigable Waterways Section.
