Implementation and Evaluation of an integrated Program for rodent control in a shanty town of Buenos Aires City, Argentina

FERN CAVIA R., CUETO G.R. AND SUÁREZ O.V.ÁNDEZ M.S.,; CAVIA R.,; CUETO G.R.; SUÁREZ O.V.

Ecohealth

Springer-Verlag

Lugar: New York; Año: 2007 vol. 4 p. 271 - 277

The objetive of this work was evauate the efficiency of an integrated program for the control of rodents in a shantytown of Buenos Aires City, Argentina. This program was developed in one year. Duringg the preparation phase, an environment survey of public spaces and dwellings was conducted in the test area to identify factors favoring the presence of rodents and to determine strategies and mangement measures to be implemented in the execution phase. Rodent abundance was monitored in the following four periods: (1) during the preparation phase, (2) during the execution phase, (3) inmediately after the execution phase, and (4) 90 days after the end of the execution phase. According to the results of the preparation phase, we combined three differentes strategies to reduce rodent abundance in both dwelings and public spave of the experimental area: rodentice application, environmental sanitation in public spacees, and sanitary educaction. In this area de proportion of dwelling and public spaces with signs of rodent activity  decreased significant increase in rodent activity 90 days after the end of the execution phase. There was a significant increase in rodent activity 90 days after the execution phase. This work reveals that although rodent infestation can be reduced in urban shantytowns, a long term policity for sanitation improvement and sanitary education is requiered to keep rodent populations at safe level for the community.