By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

WITH the brown tree snake continuing to proliferate on Guam, the federal government continues to explore ways to combat the venomous pest, especially to prevent them from spreading to Hawaii and other U.S. states.
One of the solutions being looked at is the inexpensive and abundant compound called acetaminophen, an active ingredient in Tylenol and other popular pain killers.
So far, research conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture has shown that acetaminophen, while fine for humans, is toxic to snakes.
The USDA has been conducting research with brown tree snakes for several years and is working closely with agencies on Guam.
The snakes came to the island in the early 1950s, stowaways on a military surplus ship. Scientists estimate that there are 13,000 snakes per square mile on the island today.
In addition to decimating Guam’s native birds and reptiles, the venomous snakes have bitten people and have caused widespread power outages after getting tangled in utility lines.
In a study, acetaminophen has been identified as a promising snake toxicant. Subsequent experimentation has shown that acetaminophen-mouse baits are readily consumed by and acutely toxic to brown tree snakes.
In tests, 30 caged snakes were given dead, newborn mice with two 40-milligram acetaminophen tablets packed inside. Nearly every snake took the bait although they didn’t like the taste and one-third quickly regurgitated the treated mouse.
Nevertheless, each snake that swallowed the bait, even temporarily, died within three days. All 15 snakes given mice baited with acetaminophen-free tablets survived the test.
Because the snake lacks natural predators on Guam, the only long-term control strategy is targeted poisoning, according to scientists at the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in Fort Collins, Colo.