Pest control: Professional or DIY?

With an abundance of feed and shelter, rodents are a constant challenge on farms, but with the right integrated approach including proofing, monitoring, and baiting, they can be effectively controlled. 

Mr Reece says the decision of whether to hire a pest controller or handle rodent management yourself is often best determined by assessing the specific situation at hand.

“Factors such as farm size, available time, and rodent prevalence all play a role in making this decision,” he explains.

Time and experience

While many farmers successfully manage rodent control on their own, professionals can bring a wealth of experience to the task.

“Professionals have a strong understanding of pest behaviour, which allows them to target areas more effectively,” he says.

“This expertise enables them to tailor their strategies to the specific needs of the farm, ensuring they are as effective and efficient as possible.”

He says the ongoing labour challenges in agriculture are one reason why the services of a pest controller are useful on-farm.

“When farmers are under pressure, rodent control often falls to the bottom of the priority list,” explains Mr Reece. “This can result in problems escalating, leading to more significant damage to property and livestock.

“By employing a professional, farmers can ensure that rodent control remains a priority without taking valuable time away from other essential tasks.”

Professionals also help ensure consistent pest management, as regular monitoring is key to keeping rodents in check all year-round.

“Constant monitoring helps ensure that pest control systems are functioning optimally and allows strategies to be adapted as needed.”

With farm assurance schemes requiring farms to have an up-to-date pest control plan and documentation, Mr Reece highlights how employing a pest controller can help ease the burden on farmers.

“Having a professional manage rodents ensures that farms meet these standards, and provides the necessary paperwork for audits,” he says.

“This external oversight can reduce stress during audits and help farmers comply with regulations without adding extra workload on the farmer.”

Flexibility and cost savings

While professional pest control offers numerous advantages, there are circumstances where managing rodents independently may be more suitable.

Some farms may have the resources and manpower to handle pest management without the need for outside assistance.

“Farmers have been managing rodents for generations, and many are well-equipped to handle pest control effectively,” says Mr Reece.

“They also have a good understanding of their farms and can often identify the areas most at risk of infestations, allowing them to take action quickly.”

Mr Reece says one of the key benefits of DIY pest control is flexibility.

“Farmers have the ability to react to problems as they arise, especially when they are familiar with the layout of their farm and know where the hotspots are,” he explains. 

“This allows them to tailor their pest control efforts to the specific circumstances, dealing with infestations promptly before they become widespread.”

In addition to flexibility, for farms that already have the necessary tools and equipment, doing it themselves eliminates the cost of hiring a pest controller. 

“For farms with the ability to handle the required paperwork in-house, DIY pest control can be a more economical choice,” says Mr Reece.

“This is particularly true for farms that already have staff dedicated to managing rodents and have systems in place to monitor and document pest activity.”

Finding the right balance

Ultimately, the choice between professional and DIY rodent control comes down to the specific needs of the farm. Mr Reece says that the most important consideration is that rodents are managed effectively to prevent damage to crops, livestock, buildings, and machinery. 

“Whether farmers choose to handle pest control themselves or bring in professionals, the goal remains the same – to maintain a safe, healthy, and productive farm environment,” he adds.

With the recent changes to legislation requiring anyone purchasing professional rodenticides to hold a certificate of competence, Mr Reece says it is a level playing field with regards to qualifications, but it is often a lack of time and experience that drives farms to employ a professional.

“Both professional pest control and DIY approaches can be successful, but the best approach is one that ensures pest control is done thoroughly and consistently,” he says.

“Regardless of which option farmers select, they must always ensure that they are using pest control products responsibly.

“Reading labels carefully and following safety instructions is crucial for maintaining the effectiveness of the baits and minimising any unintended consequences.”

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