Baiting against rats and
mice externally is sometimes a necessity, and certainly a useful aid to pest
control around farms, rural businesses and urban premises. There is however, an
important need to prevent poisoning of non-target species such as humans,
domestic pets and natural wildlife. Poisoning of voles, shrews, wood mice etc.
can also have a direct affect on birds of prey that predate on these animals.
Current legislation
dictates that external baiting is confined to areas of current or specifically
vulnerable areas of pest activity only, and not used as part of a general
monitoring programme. Pestology is careful not to
‘over bait’ around external areas and full use is made of natural pest
harbourages and burrows. The protection of wildlife is fully
considered when baiting, in line with the HSE and Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use codes of best practice.
Sensible precautions are taken to ensure that
rodenticides are inaccessible to non-target species and that, where present, members of the
public do not have direct access.
Where possible and practical, dead rodents are searched for and removed from site.
External bait stations when
used are of a tamper resistant nature and designed to prevent access from
non-target species including wildlife, livestock, domestic pets, children and
vulnerable adults. These can be secured in place where necessary.
Unless specifically
requested, warning notices are not used as these can often have the opposite
effect in keeping people away from ‘safely’ baited or trapped areas.