The UK’ s No. 1 rat and mouse bait with Fortec technology for increased bait consumption.
Crops
Early Autumn and Winter Rat Control Pays Dividends
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KEEPING ON TOP OF RATS early this autumn and winter with a planned control programme that takes full advantage of their natural behaviour will pay dividends in tackling today’ s far less predictable rodent problems with the least possible time and cost, British farmers have been advised.
“ Sometimes rats are all over the place and we can’ t seem to get them under control however hard we try,” points out BASF rural hygiene specialist, Charles Ives.“ And at other times there don’ t appear to be enough about to bother baiting. Then we get a sudden surge and we’ re up to our necks in problems again.
“ Warmer and very much more variable winter weather is partly to blame. If there’ s plenty of external food and shelter available like there has been this year rats don’ t need to risk spending so much time around farmsteads. Until population pressures or sudden weather changes force them to be more overt in their foraging, that is. At which stage they appear in hoards.”
That’ s why he advises replacing the traditional fire-brigade approach to control with a simple but well-planned programme that takes the greatest possible advantage of rats’ natural behaviour.
Early control is vital in his experience to stop rat populations
getting established in and around buildings. So he suggests a robust cycle of baiting before the full onset of winter even if rat activity hasn’ t yet become very obvious.
“ Using a modern, foraging technology bait designed to appeal to rats’ natural preference for feeds with a variety of looks, feels, tastes and smells, you can nip problems in the bud early avoiding prolonged and costly treatment,” he stresses.
“ Neosorexa Gold’ s patented Fortec mix of pellets within a treated cut wheat base, for instance, is proven to substantially increase the speed and reliability with which rats consume a lethal dose of rodenticide. This means a deadly dose can be consumed in a day, although rats don’ t die for several days so individuals initially excluded from feeding by their dominant pack-mates don’ t learn to avoid it.
“ It’ s important to check and topup bait containers every two or three days until all signs of rodent activity cease,” he adds.“ Failing to provide sufficient bait over a long enough period for the entire population to consume a lethal dose is one of the most common reasons for poor control.”
Fresh droppings, footprints, smear marks or hair along rat runs and new gnawing all indicate rats mean renewed activity so another cycle of baiting is needed prevent problems escalating.
Worth its weight in gold.
The UK’ s No. 1 rat and mouse bait with Fortec technology for increased bait consumption.
Neosorexa ® Gold contains difenacoum. Neosorexa ® and Fortec are registered trademarks of BASF. Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use. www. farmers-mart. co. uk Oct / Nov 2016 23