Top tips for a managed approach to pest control

Five to 10 years ago, pest control was very reactive, Gary explains, and farmers would get in touch with him when they had seen rats in the grain store, or had a big repair bill after rats got into the combine harvester.

Now, however, customers take a more proactive approach; those who get in touch often haven’t seen any rats but are looking to get pest control up to standard ahead of an audit, for example.

As of November 2021, Red Tractor changes require a more managed pest control programme, aligning with the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU). Additionally, under CRRU rules, if rat poison is put down it can only be left for a maximum of 35 days before being checked. 

Labour shortages means pest control companies are becoming increasingly important, Gary adds, as there is limited time and staff to dedicate to the task. When AES attends the farm, they do a walk around to weigh up how to protect and proof buildings to deter rats, or to see if there are areas that need tidying up. Gary compares this to the way an agronomist would walk round the farm and weigh up the disease profile of wheats etc.

A folder will then be left on farm with a map showing where the bait stations are. All bait must now be put in lockable bait stations, so it’s not available to wildlife, children or pets.

Asked for some top tips on preventative pest control, Gary advises:

• Keep grain store doors closed at all times
• Tidy up any grain spilt when loading the lorry etc
• Move wild bird and game covers away from the yards as they encourage rat activity
• Repair any damaged doors.

AES offers a specialised agricultural service which includes a full service for pest/vermin control, spraying out/cleaning grain stores so they are up to Red Tractor standards and free from bugs such as grain beetle or grain weevil.

The company does trapping, as well as proofing and cleanliness advice, and is BASIS qualified. It is also PA1, PA2 and PA6 qualified to spray around farmyards to keep them tidy for herbicide knapsacking. It works with customers in Cambridgeshire, South Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, and the edge of Norfolk.

For more information visit: https://www.aes-vermin.com