<b>Evaluation of rat ultrasonic vocalisations as potential audio-lures in New Zealand forest settings</b>

Actively attracting rats to trapping and baiting areas would potentially reduce the costs and labour required for controlling rats over large areas of forest. In this pilot study, we explored the potential of using an ultrasonic lure to attract rats in two forest areas. Results indicated that, over a three-month period, the weekly numbers of rats killed was higher (p&lt;0.05) at sites where a 50kHz Norway rat vocalisation (USV) was played, than for sites where USVs were not played. Moreover, it was observed that the frequency of mice visiting sites where USVs were played was higher (p&lt;0.05) than at sites where USVs were not played. These findings indicate that rat USVs can attract rats and mice to trapping areas in New Zealand forest settings and supports the view that including USVs in trapping methods could potentially enhance the efficiency of trapping and hence reduce the costs associated with current methods.