Rodent Control Hierarchy: Practical Steps to Sustainable Pest Management
With shifts in legislation and growing environmental concerns, Pest Control Operators (PCOs) and farmers are being driven towards eco-friendly pest management. At the core of sustainable pest management is adopting strategies that protect the environment and non-target species while minimising the use of chemical controls. The Rodent Control Risk Hierarchy is the starting point. As the benchmark approach to site assessment, it should be used with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, for a more sustainable approach.
Understanding the Rodent Control Risk Hierarchy
The Rodent Control Risk Hierarchy is a decision-making framework that guides PCOs and farmers through the process of sustainable rodent control. The hierarchy will be unique for every operation and be site specific, ensuring only appropriate control techniques are deployed for every environment. A new risk hierarchy should be carried out for every site and problem.
Assessment using this method ensures treatment is carried out in a structured way to protect non-targets while still tackling a problem. Central to the system is the fact that environmental and physical elements are assessed and remedied first before any chemical treatments are considered.
