Farmyard buildings can become the perfect home for rodents due to the abundance of food and shelter they provide, writes David Cross, head of technical training at Rentokil Pest Control.

Rodents can spread infections such as Weil’s disease, contaminate animal feed, cause damage to doors and objects with their persistent gnawing as well as increasing the risk of a fire, if there are electrical cables which they could also gnaw. With such high risks, it makes sense to proactively prevent and quickly deal with any signs of infestation.

One way to control the spread of rodents in farm premises is to ensure you don’t provide them with the ideal conditions in which to thrive. Simple steps, such as ensuring animal feed is properly sealed and stored, can make a big difference. Mice can squeeze through gaps the size of a biro to enter a building, so it’s also important obvious holes in the exterior are sealed with wire wool, metal kick plates or caulk.

Three tips for preventing a rodent problem in the farm buildings:

1. Active monitoring

Non-toxic monitoring blocks can be used to detect the very early stages of a rodent infestation, while ensuring toxic substances aren’t deployed unnecessarily onsite. Some of these blocks contain fluorescent materials which reflect UV light, highlighting rodents’ droppings and making it easier to identify their presence.

2. Remove food sources

Mice and rats can consume and contaminate food destined for livestock. It’s important to keep products sealed properly in metal or industrial plastic bins, or on pallets held above floor level in racking. Regularly clean troughs and stores and make sure waste packaging materials and other unwanted items are removed from the farmyard on a regular basis.

Mice can take food from up to 70 different sources in 24 hours, so knowing where to place bait for them can prove challenging. Rentokil has developed RapidPro Riddance to help overcome issues associated with the feeding habits of mice within buildings. It contains a fast-acting rodenticide, alphachloralose, which means the deceased mouse will typically be found close to the bait and can be disposed of easily.

3. Cleanliness is key

Try to keep clutter to a minimum and move tools away from the walls to ensure you can check what’s hiding behind them. Ensure refuse on site is kept in closed bins, and clean pipes and drains regularly. Remember that rats can find their way into buildings through damaged drains and have even been known to enter premises through toilet pipework.

Whether you’re dealing with a rodent problem or are simply looking to prevent one, it’s important that you know who to contact. Part of an external pest control contractor’s role is to be fully up-to-speed on the latest legislation changes in their area of expertise, so if you’re in any doubt as to what substances to use, then it’s always best to check with the experts.

*Spotting the danger signs*

1. Smell and sound: Rats and mice have a very strong ammonia stench. On top of this, rodents are often very noisy, making scrabbling noises.

2. Droppings: Rats excrete dark, pellet shaped droppings up to 14mm. Mice droppings are typically 5mm and spindle shaped.

3. Smears: You may notice grease marks where rodents brush up against walls and surfaces in your building.

4. Damage: Perhaps one of the most obvious pointers, but also the most difficult to spot – gnawing marks, shredded paper and damage to feed sacks and hay bales are all common signs of rodent activity.