A Survey of Rats Trapped in Residential Apartments and Their Ectoparasites in Makurdi, Nigeria.

In recent years there has been a reported increase in the number of domestic premises complaining about rat infestation. Successful management of rodent problems depends upon correct identification of the rodent species involved and on obtaining information on the biology, ecology and behaviour in domestic ecological setting. In this study, we surveyed rodentsʹ infestation in residential buildings and their ectoparasites fauna in Makurdi, Nigeria were investigated. The rodents were trapped using locally fabricated traps and body brushing techniques was used to collect their ectoparasites. A total of 1,438 were captured with Rattus rattus accounting for 58.2%, while 1,571 ectoparasites were collect from 63.0% of the rodents with ticks accounting for 54.9% of all ectoparasites. There was no significant difference in rodentsʹ infestation in the six study location (P > 0.05). The overall rodent ectoparasite index was 1.09 signifying a potential risk to human health. Apartments with multiple tenants, those with evidence of housing disrepair and pit latrines had higher infestation rates. The public health implications of these findings were discussed with emphasis on protection of human health through a comprehensive and participatory rodent control strategy.