First, target your rats
First, target your rats
Keeping pests at bay is a priority, both to protect profits
and ensure compliance with farm assurance schemes.
Over the coming pages we consider the latest
advice, setting the ball rolling with
rat control. Edited by Charles Abel
By Jeremy Hunt
FAILING to make a full survey of the farm to identify vermin hot spots and inadequate baiting are the main causes of ineffective control of rats, which now infest almost 50% of UK farms.
Arable farmers, whose quality assurance schemes now demand much stricter control of vermin in and around grain stores, must adopt a policy that will not only eradicate existing colonies, but also protect against future infestation, says Dr Roger Johnson, commercial director of rodenticide manufacturer Sorex.
Take time to survey buildings and steading to assess the rat population, he advises.
"Check inside and outside buildings – try to identify rat runs, look for tell-tale signs such as droppings, pinpoint areas where there is damage from gnawing and identify areas where rats have been feeding or drinking.
"Make a plan of the farm and mark places of rat activity so you know exactly where to bait and where to check," says Dr Johnson.
A minimum of 10 bait points are usually required. But it is important to know how much bait to use. A typical adult rat needs to take in 10g of Neosorexa bait to achieve a lethal dose, for example. That may take several feeds.
Bait points should be set up along the runs between nesting and feeding sites and, where possible, in holes. Bait should be laid in a container which is open at both ends. That minimises waste and allows the quantities taken to be checked. All bait points must be covered to prevent access by non-target animals.
"Under-baiting is the biggest single reason for poor vermin control. Each bait point should offer 100-200g of the rodenticide and should initially be checked daily and fresh bait laid if the rats are taking it. Checking can then be extended to 2-3 days. But dont assume youve succeeded, just because the bait stops being eaten," says Dr Johnson.
Throughout the winter all bait points should be checked every two weeks. New colonies will move in from up to 100m (328ft) away. New bait points on likely approach runs to buildings can work well.
When rats target grain stores, not only do farmers face significant financial losses, but consumers are at risk from contaminated food products.
Sorex urges that baiting close to stored grain is not necessary. "Faced with a bin of grain or a tray of rodenticide what would you eat?" asks Dr Johnson. He advocates a strategy that encourages the hungry rat to take bait well before it reaches the grain store.
"Place bait close to the nest site or along runs that lead to the stored grain to intercept the rat on its journey."
Barrier-baiting is also worthwhile, says Ian Anderson, Sorex rodenticide business manager. "Barrier control introduced at this time of year, as rats start to move towards the food and shelter of farmsteads prevents a heavy mid-winter infestation."
Rats are a menace which needs dealing with if farms are to comply with assurance schemes. Baiting regular runs gives best results, say advisers.
STATS ON RATS
• One breeding pair of rats can produce 1000 young a year.
• Each rat produces six litres of urine and sheds 300,000hairs in its lifetime.
• Rats carry a range of diseases – 60% are estimated to carry leptospirosis.