Benha Agriculture Students Innovate Smart Baits to Combat Rodents and Safeguard Food Security

The students from the Plant Protection Department at the Faculty of Agriculture in Moshtohor succeeded in developing smart and sustainable baits to combat rodents. The innovation relies on recycling agricultural pests and animal waste, thereby enhancing the efficiency of rodent control and reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.
The project applies concepts of the circular economy and environmental sustainability by converting locally available waste and natural materials into effective components of rodent baits. This approach addresses the phenomenon of rodents avoiding traditional baits due to “bait shyness.”
Under the supervision of Dr. Ghada Refaat Youssef and Assistant Lecturer Moamen Ahmed Mostafa, the research team incorporated powdered land snails—considered agricultural pests—and powdered fish scales into the bait formula. Rich in proteins and minerals, these components increased bait attractiveness and palatability for rodents.
The project included laboratory and field experiments to study rodent behavior, measure bait consumption rates, and conduct toxicity tests to evaluate effectiveness under real conditions. Results showed high success rates in rodent control while reducing pesticide use.
This initiative represents a model of applying scientific research to practical agricultural and environmental challenges, turning waste into value‑added products. It contributes to lowering economic costs, reducing environmental impact, and supporting efforts to safeguard food security.
The student team included: Shahd Saeed Abdel‑Wahed Awad, Menna Maher Amin Ali, Elham Emad Sami Hassan, and Mahmoud Anwar Mahmoud Ahmed.