Dramatic surge in farm rat infestations

Monday 2 March 2015 12:00

Rat populations across UK farms are at their highest level this winter for at least the past six years, a survey on pest control shows.

The 2014-15index of winter rat infestations, calculated by BASF from sales of its top-selling rodenticides through selected distributors in a four-month period, reached 860 noticeably higher than the peak of just under 790 recorded in the challenging season of 2012-13.

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Whatever bait you use, it must be put down in the right places, kept well topped up so all the individuals can consume a lethal dose, and left in place until all signs of rat activity cease. Gavin Wood

And it stands out as by far the highest since the company started its indexing in 2009.

BASF rural hygiene specialist Gavin Wood said: This seasons dramatic surge in rat problems almost certainly has its roots in a failure to get on top of populations in last years exceptionally mild winter.

Unusually warm weather and good external food availability throughout last winter meant rats were far less evident than usual in and around buildings.

Overall then, relatively high rat populations went into last spring and profited from excellent summer breeding conditions, he added.

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Dramatic surge in farm rat infestations