How to prepare for rodent control on your farm
Posted 5 years ago
04/10/2021
Rodents will start to become a bigger issue on farms as the weather gets colder and they start to move into buildings for food and shelter.
These infestations can be a nuisance to tackle. In this blog, technical manager Richard Mosley provides advice to farmers on how to control rodents.
What problems do rodents cause on farms?
Rodents can cause a range of issues on farms including:
- Contaminating and devaluing grain stocks
- Damage to buildings and machinery
- Source of many diseases such as Leptospirosis
Rodents can be costly to control if an infestation gets out of hand, so getting on top of the issue quickly is crucial.
Why should I employ a professional pest controller?
When dealing with a pest problem, such as a rodent infestation, some farmers may choose to carry out a control programme themselves. However, employing a professional pest control company can pay dividends and make the process a lot smoother.
Some of the benefits of investing in professional control include:
- Ongoing support to identify ongoing risks and hazards
- Time saving
- Advice on actives and control options
- In depth knowledge of target species
By using a professional pest controller, you can also feel reassured that pest control is carried out swiftly and in a proper manner.
There are also many guidelines that pest controllers must follow when it comes to rodenticides. The stewardship scheme The Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) is in place to help minimise the exposure of wildlife and non-target species to rodenticides. Professional pest controllers can help you to navigate these guidelines and ensure they are being adhered to.
4 Top tips for rodent control on farms
To achieve effective control of rodents on farms, an integrated pest management programme which encompasses cultural and chemical controls is recommended.
1. Monitoring for rodents
During the peak rodent season, monitoring for rodent activity is essential. This can help to locate an infestation and quickly tackle the problem with the most appropriate control option.
2. Cultural controls
Cultural controls, which are non-chemical options are a crucial part of an integrated pest management programme.
The cultural controls that can be implemented in the run up to the rodent season include:
- Making sure buildings are clean and tidy and therefore less attractive to rodents
- Shoring up any cracks or crevices in stores that rodents could use to enter buildings
- Removing areas around buildings that rodents can harbour, such as long grass
3. Baiting
Following monitoring and cultural controls, chemical controls can then be put down by a pest controller.
Some of the professional chemical control options which are suitable to use on farm include:
4. Maintaining pest inspections
To prevent further pest issues, keeping up with pest inspections on farm is crucial as this can help you to identify any possible problems early before too much damage occurs.
These should be carried out on a regular basis, with monthly inspections required if rodenticide is used on a permanent basis.