Farmers warned of increased rodent activity

Typically, the harsh winter conditions naturally cull these creatures and reduce their numbers come spring, but with 2024 on track to be the warmest year on record, populations of rodents have increased considerably.

This, alongside the increased rain and flooding experienced across the UK and the mild summer conditions, has meant an influx of rats being driven towards farms and buildings from further afield in search of refuge as the temperature dips.

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Rodent proofing is very important When rodents are present, they are a significant threat to farm biosecurity. Not only can they spread disease or consume and contaminate copious quantities of animal feed, but they are also costly.

If a dairy farm is facing a significant infestation of around 100 rats, each weighing around 300grams, with a daily feed requirement of around 10% of their body weight, farmers can expect to lose more than a tonne of animal feed each year, equating to the loss of hundreds of pounds.

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Dealing with rats on farm is important

Here, Laurence Barnard of BASF Pest Control Solutions, discusses just some of the risks rodents pose to farmers and their livestock, as well as ways to reduce the risk of infestations occurring:

Q. What are the risks of rodents to livestock?

A. Rodents not only pose the threat of disease to livestock through feed an water contamination, but their presence can trigger stress for animals.

Whether this be down to illness or having to compete for resources and food, rodent activity can put livestock at significant risk.

The most common zoonosis transferred from rodents are salmonella, leptospirosis, and foot and mouth disease – all of which can have harmful effects on both the animal, and the farm profits.

Rodents can also create an environment of constant stress for livestock, which in time can result in poor overall health, reduced growth rates and lower reproductive performance.

Q. What are the risks to workers on-site?

A. Rodents also pose significant risk to humans. They can carry an array of diseases which can be easily be transmitted to people, as well as livestock.

Salmonellosis, tularmia and leptospirosis are just three of the main zoonoses transmitted by rats.

These diseases can be passed on through contact with rodent droppings or bodily fluids that carry the bacteria.

Proper protective equipment and hygiene upkeep can help prevent this risk, but the most effective way to reduce the likeliness of ill health and disease is to prevent rodents from gaining access to the farm or building.

Q. How to rodent-proof your farm?

A. The best way to deal with rodents is to prevent them from becoming active in the first place.

Rodent-proofing your farm and buildings can protect livestock, health and profits.

Here are six top tips to effectively rodent-proof your site:

1. It may seem simple but keeping sites clean and tidy should become a regular part of any farmer’s maintenance routine.

Keep pallets and sacks to a minimum as these make for the perfect harbourage, and remove any rubbish or unwanted stores of straw and hay.

2. Cut back vegetation and bushes around buildings. Rats have a fear of open spaces, so by trimming back shrubbery by at least one metre around all buildings on land, they will be less inclined to cross an open yard to enter a building.

This also allows farmers to readily observe any rat burrows and gives natural predators more chance of spotting the pests too.

3. Rodent-proof buildings. Rodents can fit through surprisingly small openings – mice can get through gaps of 6mm, and rats can get through gaps of 10mm – so inspect buildings, stores or outhouses for wear and tear in walls, piping, doors, and windows. Use hard-wearing materials like metal sheeting and concrete to prevent rodents re-entering through any compromised areas.

4. Inspect the building for signs of an existing infestation.

Visible footprints at ground level or on ledges, smear marks along ledges, walls or cables, damage in structures and equipment from gnaw marks, and droppings, are tell-tale signs of activity.

5. Store animal feed safely, taking measures to prevent animal feed or grain from contamination and consumption is a crucial step, as a lack of available food sources can help mitigate rats from getting established.

Inspect for any entry points or damage where rodents may enter and clean up any food spills immediately.

6. Using a Monitoring Paste will help farmers spot rodent activity before an infestation can get out of hand.

It also means any rodents in the area will become more familiar with the object, reducing neophobia when the monitoring bait is replaced with rodenticide.