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