ISCEP 2026 At Sunway Putra Hotel 17-18 August 2026
ABSTRACT
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACT
P07
ENHANCING THE EFFICACY OF RODENT CONTROL IN A HEALTHCARE FACILITY IN SOUTHWEST PENANG THROUGH MULTI-INTERVENTION STRATEGIES:
FINDINGS FROM OCTOBER 2024 TO MAY 2026
Wong Qi CHEN", Chiew Wye LEE, Ramalingam A/L THULASIRAMAN
Southwest District Health Department Balk Pul Penang Malaysia
ABSTRACT
Rodents easily adapt to human environments, causing structural damage, contaminating food, and spreading severe diseases such as hantavirus and leptospirosis. Their presence poses critical health risks, making sustainable control measures an absolute necessity. This study conducted at a healthcare facility which experienced rat infestations in October 2024 and January 2025, a shaon likely exacerbated by a nearby food court. This study intended to improve the effectiveness of rodent control interventions in a healthcare facility to achieve sustainable, long-term management Initially, signs of rodent activity such as droppings, grease marks, pathways, footprints, and structural cracks were recorded. Sicky traps and open rodent traps were placed indoors based on the observed signs of rodent activity. Although two rodents were caught, this single-method approach proved unsustainable, with infestations recuming two months post-treatment Consequently, a multi- intervention strategy was implemented. In addition to indoor trapping ultraviolet fluorescent tracking gel was applied to rodent pathways such as piping systems, and rodenticide was deployed within four Tamper Resistant Bait Stations (TBS) along the perimeter of the premises to establish a butter zone. The fluorescent gel revealed invisible rodent footprints and pathways, increasing detection by approximately 30% and providing crucial clues to optimise trap placement. The consumption of exterior rodericide confirmed outdoor rodent activity and successfully prevented rodents from infiltrating the building. This integrated approach substantially improved rodent control preventing re-infestation for up to 12 months since May 2005. These findings suggest that combining fluorescent tracking targeted trapping and perimeter baiting enhances the efficacy and sustainability of rodent management in healthcare settings.
Keywords: rodent control, healthcare facility, fluorescent tracking buffer zone, tablement
INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE ON ENTOMOLOGY AND PEST SCEP) 2005