Response of wild Mus musculus to baits containing essential oils: I - Cinnamon and clove tested in storage facilities

Abstract

SUMMARY The effect of cinnamon ( Cinnamomi zeylanicum ) and clove ( Eugenia caryophyllata ) essential oils on the acceptibility of cereal-based baits to house mice in storage facilities was examined. The effects of three concentrations, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 %, were tested for optimization purposes. The experiments were performed in a mill storage, and in another storage for seeds and seedlings. Attractiveness of the examined concentrations of cinnamon and clove essential oils was statistically significant, compared to placebo bait, within seven days of the experiment. On the seventh day, the average consumption of baits containing 0.75 % and 1 % concentrations of cinnamon oil was 46 % in the mill storage, i.e. 35.5 % more than placebo baits were consumed. Fourteen days after the beginning of the experiment, no significant difference was detected in the consumption of baits offered in the mill storage. On the other hand, a significant difference was revealed regarding the consumption of examined baits in the seed and seedling storage. The average consumption of baits containing 0.75 % and 1 % cinnamon oil was 47 % and 51 % higher after 14 days than the consumption of placebo bait. Compared to the other test baits, those containing cinnamon essential oil at 0.75 % and 1 % concentration demonstrated better attractiveness without mutual statistically significant differences.