BPEX Rodent Factsheet 2 22/01/13.indd - Defra

Rodent control chart
Your goal – to stop reinfecting pigs on your farm with Salmonella from rodents
How you can improve your rodent control
What Why How
Is what you
do now
effective?
What changes can
you make to improve
rodent control?
Keep a clean
and tidy
farm
This reduces
the chances
of attracting
rodents or
providing them
with breeding
sites.
Provide a wide open area around
buildings and other facilities
by controlling vegetation and
removing redundant equipment.
Keep all areas clean and
clear of feed residue and
farm waste, especially feed
equipment and stores.
Yes
No
Collect and dispose of all
farm waste and dead stock
promptly and carefully.
Store bedding in a way that does
not attract rodents, for example,
use fitted doors.
Thorough
rodentproofing
This directly
protects your
livestock
and facilities
from rodent
infestation and
disease.
Proof all buildings and facilities
against the entry of rodents, birds
or any unwanted animals, whether
they’re empty or hold livestock,
feed, bedding or tools.
Take extra care to rodent-proof
feed and water stores and
supplies. The same goes for
farm waste and dead stock.
Yes
No
Use trained
personnel
This is essential
for safety and
effectiveness.
Provide staff with
specialist training
in rodent control.
Please contact
ZNCP@bpex.ahdb.org.uk for
further information.
Yes
No
Keep a
record of
pest control
This helps guide
ongoing pest
control activity.
It also shows
due diligence.
A rodent control book should be
kept to record all rodent control
activities.
Include a record of rodent types
and estimate their numbers (live
and dead).
Yes
No
Be alert
to signs of
rodents
This helps
highlight
where existing
measures are
failing and
where additional
action is needed.
Staff should be alert to increases
in levels of rodent droppings,
chewing damage and other pestrelated
signs during their daily
chores. These include damage,
bait take, small grease marks,
urine pillars and footprints and
tailmarks in dust.
Yes
No
© Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2013. All rights reserved. BPEX is a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

How you can improve your rodent control
What Why How
Is what you
do now
effective?
What changes can
you make to improve
rodent control?
Evening
checks
Proper checking
routines also
prevent other
secondary
problems
such as fly
infestations.
An evening check should be
made after dark every two
weeks to check on the level of
live rodents visible on the unit.
Yes
No
Well
planned and
maintained
rodent
control
This is essential
for safety and
effectiveness.
Consult
a trained
professional
for specific
guidance.
Maintain appropriate rodent
baiting and trapping points
inside and outside each
building, as well as around the
perimeter of the site. Be sure
to include wall and ceiling
space baiting where this can
be done safely.
Keep all baits and traps well
away from pigs.
Yes
No
Keep bait dry and clean, and
change it regularly.
Dispose of dead rodents
promptly – this is essential
for safety and effectiveness.
Consult a trained professional
for specific guidance.
Weekly
checks
This is essential
to keep pest
control on
track.
A weekly check should be
made of the proofing and
control procedures put in place
to exclude rodents from
livestock areas and feed
stores.
Check baiting points regularly,
use correctly and dispose
of dead rodents safely and
promptly.
Also check and record for
signs of rodents eg droppings.
Yes
No
Domestic
pets
All pets
can spread
Salmonella to
both livestock
and your family.
Do not bring pets onto the farm
(even if they are ‘good ratters’ or
‘mousers’!)
Yes
No
© Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2013. All rights reserved.
BPEX is a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.
BPEX, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2TL
Tel: 0247 647 8877 Email: pighealth@bpex.ahdb.org.uk Website: www.pighealth.org.uk