By Dr. Austin Frishman
Years ago, the science behind selecting and placing a rodent bait station had very little actual science behind it. Pest management professionals would walk around the interiors of buildings and place bait stations containing rodenticide every 10 to 20 feet, and about every 50 to 100 feet outdoors. For a more sophisticated program (for those who were willing to pay for it), they would place a second row of bait stations along an outside perimeter fence line. To top off the service, they would toss place packs into active rat burrows inside and on the exterior.
Now, let’s fast forward and look at how rodents are managed today:
- Wooden bait stations have been replaced with plastic and metal bait stations.
- Bait stations are now mapped and numbered.
- We install weighted bricks into a hollow bottom, or attach a heavy block to the bait station.
- Rodenticide has been pulled out of wildlife-sensitive areas and replaced with snap traps and/or glue boards.
- The use of place packs has been eliminated, unless they are placed and tied into bait stations.
Now, let’s fine-tune the rodent baiting process. Here are some tips to keep in mind when setting up bait stations:
- Lift bait off the floor of the bait station to avoid dampness, but make sure it still stays attached. Horizontal rods within bait stations can help solve this challenge.
- Keep the bait station clean. Carry a small whisk broom, scrapper and container to place waste material, and do not mix it with fresh rodenticide.
- Tap on the bait station before entering and open it slowly – you don’t want a rat to jump out at you! I learned this the hard way.
- Keep accurate data on each bait station to help predict when and where to increase rodent management efforts. Even residential customers appreciate this step.
- In areas where the hantavirus is a problem, be sure to wear a HEPA filter-certified respirator.
Keep the big picture in mind by standing back and taking a few seconds to see what else is happening around the bait station – there could be an active rodent burrow within just a few feet of the station. Ask yourself: if a bait station keeps getting smashed, why? Should you move it or further protect it?
The customer is not paying you to run a trap line just to keep bait fresh. You are there to assess what is happening, what potential problems need action and what future steps are needed as the environment and pest management practices change with time.
To receive articles by Dr. Austin Frishman, advanced pest management information and more on a monthly basis, subscribe to our emails.
©2016 Syngenta. For Life Uninterrupted™ and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Syngenta Customer Center: 1-866-SYNGENT(A) (796-4368). |