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Linking human behavior to environmental effects using a case study of urban rodent control
Citation:
MORZILLO, A. T. AND A. G. Mertig. Linking human behavior to environmental effects using a case study of urban rodent control. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES. Taylor & Francis, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, 68(1):107-123, (2011).
Impact/Purpose:
Pest control is common practice in many land use activities worldwide.
Description:
Pest control is common practice in many land use activities worldwide. Although often inadvertent, pest control can affect non-target species, sometimes fatally. Using social survey data about residential rodent control behavior in two areas in California, we applied a framework based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to evaluate awareness of non-target rodenticide effects on local wildlife, and willingness of residential respondents to change rodent (e.g, mice, rats) control behavior given knowledge of possible non-target effects. More than half of respondents practiced rodent control, but very few (<10%) were aware of possible local non-target effects on wildlife. A majority of respondents indicated that they would change their rodent control behavior given the knowledge that rodenticides were possibly affecting wildlife; the most noted intention was to change the product used. Personal relationship with and stake in the environment (our proxy for the subjective norm) was the most influential predictor of respondent intention to change rodent control behavior. Our results highlight the importance of linking action to possible local environmental effects on a personal level, and that the promotion of stewardship may be most effective if efforts are focused on development of long-term personal value in the environment.