Take extra care when tackling rodent invasions

With cold weather driving rats into their winter quarters in barns and outhouses, the Campaign against Accidental or Illegal Poisoning advises farmers, gamekeepers and other users to take extra care when using rodenticides and to ensure they follow best practice.

Prevention is better than cure and wherever possible areas at risk of rodent infestation should be proofed, with harbourages and food sources removed. Where rodenticides are used, indoors or outdoors, it is important to follow the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use’s (CRRU) guidelines.

The key points are:

Always

• Have a planned approach

• Record quantity and location of bait used

• Use sufficient baiting points

• Collect and dispose of rodent bodies.

Never

• Leave bait exposed to non-target species

• Fail to inspect bait regularly

• Leave bait down at the end of treatment.

"Careless use of rodenticides can harm and kill wildlife and pets, so extra care must be exercised," said a CAIP spokesman. "Never leave bait uncovered, check bait points regularly and look for and dispose of rodent bodies."

Commonly-used rodenticides are found at low levels in some UK wildlife species. These residues occur after scavenging from poisoned rodents and other wildlife that have eaten rodenticides. This reflects widespread rodenticide use together with poor usage and disposal practices.