by
Dee Ward-Thompson., BPCA Technical Manager, UK
The impact pests can have in the milling and grain industries needs little introduction. In this article, Dee Ward-Thompson, gives an insight into some of the current issues in pest control – and sets out the major factors of note for the sector.
Keeping stock
Rats and mice love grain. It’s one of their favourite foods and is used as the base for a number of rodent poisons we see on the market today. As a result, grain conservation can be significantly impacted if an infestation takes hold in silos or bins. In environments seen by rodents as a giant free-for-all food store, it’s important that a professional pest controller applies a range of skills to protect the contents from attack.
Excluding rats and mice from grain stores should be the first line of defence. A large part of pest prevention is thinking ahead and identifying potential causes and entry points before infestations occur. Professionals won’t just place rodenticide around the site. They will also do ‘proofing’ work to keep grain stores pest-proof. This might be as simple as sticking wire wool in gaps or applying mouse-proof mastic. Making improvements on every visit will soon create rodent-hostile surroundings.
Joined-up thinking
The successful outcomes from this approach have seen more companies delivering Integrated Pest Management (IPM) services, working more collaboratively with the client as opposed to in isolation to achieve good practice. IPM builds a complete picture of effective preventative methods which can be delivered by a variety of methods including inspecting premises on a routine basis and reporting on the status of pest infestations, organising and undertaking a programme of treatments, as well as using pest control equipment or chemicals to control and eliminate target pests.
Good practice also results in fewer products being used, and the adoption of resilient preventative methods and practices – which is particularly significant in light of recent research.
The issue of resilience
BPCA has been highlighting the importance of expert pest control for many years – and a report revealed this year illustrates clearly why it’s so important. A study by the University of Reading has revealed a new generation of rats carrying a genetic mutation that makes them resistant to conventional poison. The report, commissioned by the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU), has identified "the massive extent of L120Q resistance across central southern England.”
While the report highlights the situation in the region, it makes it clear that the data is not available for the rest of the UK. That means resistance is in rat species across a swathe of the country. The report also states that rats without the genetic mutation are being killed off by poison, so the resistant species are taking their place, leaving a growing population of resistant pure-breds.
Read more HERE.
The impact pests can have in the milling and grain industries needs little introduction. In this article, Dee Ward-Thompson, gives an insight into some of the current issues in pest control – and sets out the major factors of note for the sector.
Keeping stock
Rats and mice love grain. It’s one of their favourite foods and is used as the base for a number of rodent poisons we see on the market today. As a result, grain conservation can be significantly impacted if an infestation takes hold in silos or bins. In environments seen by rodents as a giant free-for-all food store, it’s important that a professional pest controller applies a range of skills to protect the contents from attack.
Excluding rats and mice from grain stores should be the first line of defence. A large part of pest prevention is thinking ahead and identifying potential causes and entry points before infestations occur. Professionals won’t just place rodenticide around the site. They will also do ‘proofing’ work to keep grain stores pest-proof. This might be as simple as sticking wire wool in gaps or applying mouse-proof mastic. Making improvements on every visit will soon create rodent-hostile surroundings.
Joined-up thinking
The successful outcomes from this approach have seen more companies delivering Integrated Pest Management (IPM) services, working more collaboratively with the client as opposed to in isolation to achieve good practice. IPM builds a complete picture of effective preventative methods which can be delivered by a variety of methods including inspecting premises on a routine basis and reporting on the status of pest infestations, organising and undertaking a programme of treatments, as well as using pest control equipment or chemicals to control and eliminate target pests.
Good practice also results in fewer products being used, and the adoption of resilient preventative methods and practices – which is particularly significant in light of recent research.
The issue of resilience
BPCA has been highlighting the importance of expert pest control for many years – and a report revealed this year illustrates clearly why it’s so important. A study by the University of Reading has revealed a new generation of rats carrying a genetic mutation that makes them resistant to conventional poison. The report, commissioned by the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU), has identified "the massive extent of L120Q resistance across central southern England.”
While the report highlights the situation in the region, it makes it clear that the data is not available for the rest of the UK. That means resistance is in rat species across a swathe of the country. The report also states that rats without the genetic mutation are being killed off by poison, so the resistant species are taking their place, leaving a growing population of resistant pure-breds.
Read more HERE.
The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.
For additional daily news from milling around the world: global-milling.com
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