Rodenticides

Rodenticide rotation and weather effect

Rodent control is a critical component of animal production systems such as poultry farms, piggeries, dairies, and feedlots. These environments offer rodents a reliable supply of feed, water, and shelter, enabling rapid population growth if not properly managed.

Rodents cause substantial economic and biosecurity risks. They consume and contaminate feed with droppings, urine, and hair, increasing costs and reducing feed efficiency. They are also known carriers of diseases such as salmonella, leptospirosis and fowl cholera, posing risks to both livestock and humans. Additionally, their gnawing damages buildings, wiring, and equipment, sometimes resulting in costly repairs or fire hazards. Their presence can also stress animals, negatively affecting productivity performance and wellbeing.

Importance of rotation

Rodenticides remain a key tool in controlling rodents in livestock environments. These include anticoagulants, which disrupt blood clotting, and non-anticoagulants, which act more quickly through other physiological mechanisms. However, continuous use of the same rodenticide, especially in environments with abundant alternative feed can lead to sub-lethal dosing and the development of resistance.

Resistance occurs when rodents survive exposure to a specific active ingredient and pass that tolerance to future generations. Over time, this reduces the effectiveness of standard treatments, allowing infestations to persist even with regular baiting. This is a common challenge in intensive animal production systems where rodent populations are stable and continuously exposed to control measures.

Rotating rodenticides is essential to maintaining effective control. This involves switching between products with different active ingredients (modes of action) over time. Rotation reduces the likelihood of resistance developing, improves overall effectiveness, and helps manage bait aversion, where rodents avoid certain baits after negative experiences.

The weather effect

Weather conditions play a major role in rodent activity and population dynamics. During colder months, rodents often move indoors into animal housing facilities seeking warmth and food, leading to sudden increases in activity inside sheds and storage areas. In contrast, warmer conditions - especially following rainfall, can boost breeding rates and food availability, allowing populations to expand rapidly. Dry conditions may also drive rodents toward farms in search of water. These seasonal and environmental shifts mean that rodent pressure is not constant and must be managed proactively throughout the year.

An effective control program

An effective rotation program should align with seasonal changes and production cycles. For example, increasing baiting efforts and switching products ahead of winter can help manage rodents moving indoors, while rotations during warmer months can address increased breeding activity. Monitoring rodent activity such as bait consumption, droppings, and sightings, is essential for evaluating success and adjusting strategies.

Maintaining good sanitation, cleaning up feed spills, securing storage, and sealing entry points all reduce rodent attraction and improve control outcomes. Baits should always be placed in secure stations to protect livestock and non-target species.

In conclusion, and effective rodent control program in animal production areas requires a strategic and adaptive approach. Weather patterns significantly influence rodent behaviour and population growth, making year-round management essential. Rotating rodenticides, combined with strong hygiene and monitoring practices, ensures effective, sustainable control while protecting productivity and farm biosecurity.

Contact CCD Animal Health for more information on Effective Rodent Control.