How one Shropshire dairy farm solved the problem of a large rat infestation

He says: “Rodenticide baits must be used in conjunction with the label. Years of research has gone into the advice on the label and farmers should respect this. Having sufficient bait stations and monitoring each regularly is the best way to control rodents.”

Five steps to achieving rodent control

EUAN Bates, a rodenticide field triallist for BASF, has a tried and tested five-step method for conducting a rodenticide treatment that he suggests is a good way for farmers to operate if rats are present.

1 He says: “First I walk the site. Farmers should do this too, even if they know their farm like the back of their hand. I look for signs of rats, such as faeces, gnaw marks and tracks.

"I grade the signs one to three, with three the most severe, and mark them on a site plan. These sites are where I am most likely to place bait stations.”

2 Farms are popular with rats because there is food, water and harbourage. However, there are ways to reduce the likelihood of infestations, as Mr Bates explains.

He says: “Farmers can remove rubbish and clear weeds that rats can use for shelter, as well as tyres, pallets and any old containers, especially anything that has previously contained food. Any spilt food bags should be cleaned up and any entrances to buildings should be secured.”

3 Before placing bait stations, Mr Bates lays tracking patches to establish if rats are still using the areas he has marked on a site plan. These are human footprint sized patches of silver sand that record rat paw prints.

“Every farmer can do this before placing any bait stations because it confirms that rats are in that area of the farm. It is simple, cheap, easy to do and can work in almost any area. It will also save money because bait will only be laid where there are confirmed signs of rats,” says Mr Bates.

4 Having established the areas most frequented by rats, Mr Bates begins the process of placing bait stations. These black plastic boxes secure the rodenticide and protect non target species.

“It is really important to place the stations well in advance of using rodenticides and leave them in the same place continually. This is to overcome the natural neophobia of the rat. Rats are neophobic, they have an innate fear of new objects. Therefore, a rat is unlikely to feed on anything contained in a newly placed bait station,” he explains.

5 When baiting, farmers should keep a record and return to monitor the amount of bait that has been consumed. Mr Bates does this by marking the amount of bait used at each bait station.

“Farmers should not bait for more than 35 days and during that time should return to the bait stations at least once a week to establish how much bait is being taken. Replenishing this and following the instructions on the label will increase the efficacy of the treatment and control rat infestations more quickly.”