Department of Zoology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.
Rattus meltada is rather a selective feeder, only 2 foodgrains are preferred out of 5 tested in various combinations. When 5 test foods were given in different forms in 6 tests, the metad preferred cracked wheat grains, cracked millet grains and wheat flour over all oth-ers in various combinations. These baits are recommended as a poison carrier for its control in preferencial heirarchy if one or the other is not available, The addition of additives like 1% salt or sugar reduced the consumption of the bait but more consumption was recorded when 1% sugar was mixed in test foods + 2% groundnut oil as compared to when salt was added to the baits.
