Which active ingredients are mentioned for meadow vole repellents?

Which active ingredients are mentioned for meadow vole repellents?

• A. Thiram and capsaicin
• B. Zinc phosphide and warfarin
• C. Diphac and zinc chloride
• D. Methomyl and chlorpyrifos

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is which substances act as repellents rather than poisons for meadow voles. Capsaicin, the spicy component from chili peppers, makes contact or feeding uncomfortable for mammals, so voles tend to avoid treated seeds or plants. Thiram is a sulfur-containing compound that serves as an aversive repellent, often used to deter feeding by mammals because of its strong taste and odor. Together, these two ingredients are described as meadow vole repellents because they deter foraging without intended lethality. The other options include substances that are primarily toxicants or broad-spectrum pesticides (like zinc phosphide, warfarin, methomyl, chlorpyrifos) or other compounds not used as repellents for meadow voles, so they don’t fit the idea of repellents.

The idea being tested is which substances act as repellents rather than poisons for meadow voles. Capsaicin, the spicy component from chili peppers, makes contact or feeding uncomfortable for mammals, so voles tend to avoid treated seeds or plants. Thiram is a sulfur-containing compound that serves as an aversive repellent, often used to deter feeding by mammals because of its strong taste and odor. Together, these two ingredients are described as meadow vole repellents because they deter foraging without intended lethality.

The other options include substances that are primarily toxicants or broad-spectrum pesticides (like zinc phosphide, warfarin, methomyl, chlorpyrifos) or other compounds not used as repellents for meadow voles, so they don’t fit the idea of repellents.