When it comes to rodent control on farms and farm pest management, effective baiting strategies are crucial for success. Follow these recommendations to efficiently combat rodent infestations in and around your barn (rodent infestation prevention).

Tailoring Bait Station Placement

• For Mice: Set up bait stations 8-12 feet apart (a common mice control technique). Mice have a limited daily travel range, requiring closer spacing between stations
• For Rats: Place bait stations 15-30 feet apart to cover their larger territories (rat control methods).

Night Rodent Inspections Perform a night inspection to identify the type of rodent infesting your barn. Since rodents are nocturnal, this is the best time to observe their activities.

Servicing Bait Stations Service bait stations once every two weeks for low to moderate populations, and weekly for moderate to high populations (a key component of integrated pest management).

Supplying Fresh Bait

• Ensure a constant supply of fresh bait for 15 days or until signs of activity cease for mice
• Provide a constant supply of fresh bait for 10 days or until signs of activity cease for rats

Baiting Procedures & Recommendations

Regular Bait Replacement: Replace bait every 4 weeks (following a bait replacement schedule), or sooner based on site-specific inspections and rodent population levels. Dispose of old or spoiled bait according to label directions.

Appropriate Placement All bait placements should be within 100 feet of a structure

Weather-Based Bait Selection

Use FastDraw, Revolver, Cannon & DoubleTap Soft Baits during warm summer months

• Choose BootHill, Hombre, Renegade & Gunslinger Mini Blocks for cooler months when temperatures are below freezing

Burrow Baiting

• Use paraffinized BootHill & Hombre bulk pellets, or Renegade meal bait for burrow baiting. Paraffinized pellets are suitable for moist exterior burrows due to their wax content
• Alternatively, use meal bait for drier burrows inside the barns. Paraffinized pellets can also be used for interior burrows
• Bait stations can be placed near burrow holes if burrow baiting is not desired (an approach in agricultural rodent management and DIY rodent control for barns).
  

Importance of Bait Rotation

Rotating Active Ingredients Employ a 3-4 active ingredient rotation, such as Difethialone, Bromadiolone, Chlorophacinone & Bromethalin. This rotation helps prevent rodents from becoming resistant to any one active ingredient.

Proper Baiting Responsibilities

• Ensure that applicators adequately bait the barns to control rodents effectively (a strategy aligned with commercial pest control solutions). If needed, supplement the baiting program independently
• We recommend barn owners participate in bait supply checks, in addition to applicators, to ensure rodent infestations are managed effectively (agricultural rodent management).

Adjusting Baiting Frequency If bait stations are empty during checks, increase the frequency of station checks, the bait volume per station (as allowed by the label), or the number of bait stations around the facility.

Biosecurity Considerations Implementing a supplemental baiting program helps maintain biosecurity on your farm by reducing the transmission of diseases to your livestock and ensuring the safety of visitors.

By optimizing your baiting techniques, you can optimize your return on investment for rodent control. Strong rodent control means stronger bottom lines, through mitigating feed loss, damage to infrastructure, and potential health risks to your livestock.