Bandicoot problem

The Indian Bandicoot Rat is a mammal about the size of a cat. Nocturnal. They make burrows in the ground and make their homes. They come out at night and dig up the ground probably in search of some worms or something. This morning one fella has done it in at least 20 places, luckily not damaging the little plants. They do it esp. when it rains and the soil is soft to dig. Even at the place where the kitchen water is let out into the soil, they dig up in search of morsels of food(?). Now, I'm afraid of my little seedlings that will be grown and planted in a couple of months. These fellas may spoil the show - it has happened once or twice before but not much heart-rending damages. I think we must try to poison them. That seems to be the only option. No one knows when it comes out and does the damage. We can only see the 'result' in the morning. Are there any means other than poisoning and fencing to prevent its nocturnal attacks? Imagine a rat, almost as big as a cat, and very fast moving.

I just looked it up. Oh my goodness. That is quite a creature. I would not want to run across one in my garden! Can you trap it and take it away?

cool.... mail me a bandicoot, I'll send you an armadillo.

plus I just like saying Bandicoot.

hah!

Drew, you ain't right! ;>)

This message was edited May 9, 2004 12:33 PM

now we just need a south american to swap one of us for a capybara

Sounds like Deep would get the better deal to me!
At least you could bash a bandicoot! Bounces right off an armadillo.

You're right, Deep, it is fun to say bandicoot!

Sorry Dinu. You have a real problem there, and we're not taking it seriously. Well, we are, actually, but we don't sound like it.

It's all Deep's fault! He started with the nasty "A" word. It always triggers a negative response with me.

Have you tried Googling for more info on the animal? Like what it is digging for? What it eats? Perhaps that would make it easier to trap, if you knew it's favorite meal.

I'm sorry, I don't get the point in trapping and letting loose an invasive pest. Wherever you let it go, it will be a pest there too. You're just passing on your problems. I'm with you Dinu. I'd kill it. But that doesn't mean I don't care about all animals and plants. Many animals would kill me if I invaded their territory, and not just for food either. Sounds like this animal just made a BIG mistake!

Edited to add: Fencing isn't likely to help with a digging animal.

This message was edited May 10, 2004 12:42 AM

Dug up an old thread as I found a dug up hole of a bandicoot! I think it is his work and not the work of a Crow Pheasant. I have pushed away the dry twigs and some part of the Plumbago growing wildly for photographing this.

I didn't do it, I swear, I'm in Ohio.

LOL!! And what does your user name stand for, crashbandiscoot? Sounds quite similar!

It's my dogs nickname, sort of a cross between Crash Bandicoot, the goofy video game doglike creature , and Scooter, my dog. We now call him goof-a-mutt, and I am Crash. lol
And I didn't do it! Glad we don't have those here, I have enough trouble with groundhogs.

This is all I could find on taking care of your problem. Is there an agricultural person or government official that you could contact there that can help you? We just don't have that particular critter here....Thank goodness.

Abstract:
An alternative burrow fumigator (Photoplate) developed at Maruteru (Andhra Pradesh, India) was evaluated for its comparative efficacy with Al phosphide during 2002 and 2003 against lesser bandicoot rat (Bandicota bengalensis). During 2002, both the fumigation methods were equally effective and during 2003 the Al phosphide was superior over B. bengalensis in reducing the live burrow. The cost of treatment per burrow with Al phosphide was less (Rs 2.56) compared to the burrow fumigator (Rs 3.45). In consideration of environmental safety and reasonable cost effectiveness, it is advisable to employ the burrow fumigator in rice fields.

Publisher: Applied Zoologists Research Association

Copied from this link:
http://www.cababstractsplus.org/google/abstract.asp?AcNo=20053080687

Crash,
That's an interesting S'name! Thanks for sharing how it came about.

ceejaytown,
Yes, there is a Pest Control Unit here. I've been watching these pests' actions but they are not creating havoc as to resort to remedial action from my part. Perhaps they are not in great numbers and they don't seem to multiply rapidly either. There are a couple of cats [neighbour's] that prowl around in my garden and that could be taking care of the young ones too. I'm not sure as they are nocturnal. The economics provided above in that site are more likely to suit agricultural fields where they might have to feed many burrows where cost is important. But many thanks for the useful information.

Well, if you have neighbor's cats taking care of any babies, I'd say that you are in good shape, since I read these don't have a long life span. And if you used poison, you'd likely end up killing the cats that are decimating the population.

Yes, it is for that important reason that I do not prefer poisons.

As I was digging today, I happened to notice this fellow out of his hole in daytime!! That was unusual. I reckon he was sick or old. Rushed in and brought out the camera for this shot.

I swear Dinu, you get the best shots, I'm not so sure I would have wanted to get that close, he's creepy. LOL
I don't believe I've ever seen a pic of a bandicoot, looks like a rat. Is that what that is??
Sorry for asking silly questions.

They are not silly questions! You can compare its size with a junk water bottle in this picture! It is like a rat, but big. It is a nocturnal creature, but as I said, there was something wrong probably and hence he was moving about and crouching itself underneath some more junk I've kept temporarily. I guess since its 'home entries' have been closed and probably the soil is too dry and hard now plus its assumed weakness, it is unable to dig a new hole. Hence it is out there!

Dinu,

I always enjoy your comments and insights because it throws a different spin on what USA writers say. Naturally, I love your photos. You have the best.

(I very rarely participate though, just read a lot!!)

Karin ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks Karin. Yes indeed, from half way round the earth, it is a different spin! Try to participate and throw at least brief insights into my threads to help me learn.

Dinu ☼

Isn't there something like hardware cloth with thorns you can put around your plants?

No, not available. As it is, it has not been too much of a nuisance regularly, but only when it rains heavily and the earthworms move up. This is when this rascal digs up at places. I heard one of my friends say about his problem in his area. These fellows dig up a great amount of earth overnight and it is a real problem for him! There may be more than one in his case.