Deratization in livestock buildings

Rodents such as rats, mice and voles are a common problem on animal husbandry farms. The problem intensifies after the harvest of cereals, when pests can no longer feed in the field and it gets colder. Rodents then look for food and shelter from the cold. Livestock buildings and feed warehouses are very attractive to mice and rats because they provide them with constant access to food.

Hazards associated with rodents

Damage caused by rodents is very expensive. Mice and rats when creating nests destroy the elements of the installation and equipment of livestock buildings. They eat animal food and contaminate it with feces and urine. Rodents spread parasites, bacteria and viruses. The consequence of this is the occurrence of dangerous diseases in the herd of farm animals. Rodents, even if they do not get sick, can transmit infectious diseases. Mice and rats are responsible for the spread of rabies, salmonellosis, brucellosis, leptospirosis, avian influenza, ASF and others. Especially dangerous are rats, which, in addition to transmitting diseases, cause stress in animals by chasing away from feed and biting.

Securing livestock buildings

On farms, a very important issue is protection of buildings against rodent infestation . The possibility of getting inside should be limited. For this purpose, you can use metal mesh welded with a fine eyelet, which will block the way of rodents. The use of such a grid will not limit the flow of air in the room. However, it is not always possible to protect all entrances from rodents. In such cases, rodents should be fought in a different way.

Mousetraps

If there is only a slight problem with mice on the farm, traps are enough to combat them. Snap or live traps can be used. The latter are definitely better due to the possibility of catching several pests with one pawn. A snap-on mousetrap allows you to catch only one individual. The elusive mousetrap has a double-sided entrance and a ramp that opens only inwards. Once the mouse is inside the trap, there is no longer any way out. The sounds of a captured mouse lure more individuals that catch on. For a better effect, it is worth using a fragrant decoy, which is very attractive to rodents.

Deratization preparations

For rats, traps do not always work, since these pests are very intelligent and suspicious. If the problem with mice and rats is large, measures should be taken to eliminate them quickly. The most effective method of getting rid of unwanted rodents is the use of chemical poisons. Deratization preparations affect the reduction of blood clotting and, as a consequence, lead to the death of the rodent. Poisons for mice and rats also have mummifying properties, so there are no visible external effects of poisoning. Poisons for rodents, as a rule, act with a delay, pests fall a few days after consumption and, as a rule, away from the place of collection. This does not arouse suspicion in other individuals and allows you to carry out effective deratization. Poisons for mice and rats should always be laid out in deratization stations to protect other animals from accidental ingestion. Deratization feeders should be marked, especially on large objects, where it is necessary to set up a large amount. Information stickers can be used for this purpose. Labels for deratization stations will allow you to easily monitor the condition of the poison consumed and determine where the biggest problem with rodents occurs.

Forms of poison for rodents

Poisons have in their composition aromatic attractant substances, due to which they become more attractive to rodents than feed. Deratization preparations come in various forms, granules, cubes, pastes, flakes and poisoned grains are available. The form of granules, flakes and grains is easy to dose. The deratization cube can be placed in a rodent feeder on a metal rod so that there is no risk that the poison will get outside. This solution is recommended especially for poultry farmers. Form paste it has a very attractive consistency and rodents are happy to consume it. An interesting and very effective form of poison jest deratization foam . It is dosed in crevices where mice or rats are found. The foam adheres to the rodent's coat, then during intensive washing the pest eats poison. There are various active substances approved for use in agents to control mice and rats. The most popular of them are: bromadiolone, brodifakum, difetialon, difenakum, kumatetralyl. In addition to the active substance, poisons also contain bitter substances that discourage human and other animal consumption. Usually it is denatonium benzoate.