Producers should not be embarrassed to admit they have a rodent problem. Surveys in Ontario indicate that 80% of poultry producers and 89% of swine producers have rodent problems. Chances are, rats and mice are a problem on your farm. The embarrassment and costs occur if something is not done to confront the problem.
Monitoring your barns is an important step in preventing and/or controlling rodent populations. Traditional rodent control methods such as baiting and trapping can also be used as a monitoring tool. Thorough record-keeping of bait disappearance can warn farmers if their rodent population is increasing. This is especially important in the fall, when rodents start to look for suitable wintering sites. Be aware that bait can become stale and mouldy, and must be refreshed often to prevent bait aversion and maintain the effectiveness of your monitoring program.
The following are signs of rodent infestation:
It is a generally accepted rule of thumb that there are approximately 25 mice or rats for every one that is seen. If you see rats and mice during daylight hours, it may indicate a severe infestation, as the population and feeding pressures are so high that juveniles are forced to forage during the day.
Enzappers Pest Control Services is a Cambridge Ontario based group of technical experts. These technical experts have qualifications in Agriculture and Chemistry related fields.
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