Rodent control on farm

Rodents like rats and mice are significant pests on piggeries. They can transmit diseases and also cause significant damage to shed infrastructure and wiring.

The Industry Rodenticide Stewardship Plan is a guide for producers on best practice management of on-farm rodenticide use to minimise the spread of disease and damage to infrastructure.

The booklet provides producers with the information needed to set up their own rodenticide stewardship plan, while ensuring the methods used to control rodents do not compromise food safety.

Value for producers:

• Good pest control will help minimise the transmission of a number of pig diseases, resulting in better animal welfare outcomes and less cost to the producer in treating those diseases.
• Reduction in other pests (cats, foxes, etc).
• Reduced damage to wiring and infrastructure and therefore lower maintenance and replacement costs.
• The Industry Rodenticide Stewardship Plan complements the APIQ QA system.

Recommendations:

• On-farm rodent control programs should not rely on rodenticides alone to control rodent problems as this is not effective or sustainable.
• Integrated approaches should include: prevention and hygiene, monitoring, non-chemical solutions and chemical solutions (baiting).