<%@LANGUAGE="JavaScript1.3"%> Swine Production Management - Biosecurity Manual - Rodent Control
   
Swine Production Management - Biosecurity Manual

Rodent Control

  1. Rodents do not like exposed situations. Remove all rubbish and overgrown vegetation from outside the buildings. Ideally all buildings should be surrounded by a 1-2 meter wide concrete walk-way. Keep weeds and grass short
  2. Ensure all bagged feed is stacked tidily on pallets off the floor and away from the walls
  3. Food must be stored in closed containers
  4. All spilt food under feed bins must be swept up and removed
  5. All rubbish must be placed in rodent proof containers
  6. Block all holes where ever possible. Wire mesh on windows must be 6 mm to keep out mice. Seal junctions between walls, floors and ceilings with metal sheeting
  7. Seal water cisterns and header tanks. Seal and remove obsolete plumbing. Rodents require large quantities of water
  8. Depending on the farms health status, Cats and dogs are not to be used as rodent control as they are a health risk to the pigs (i.e. Pseudorabies/Aujeszky's Disease)
  9. Prepare a map of the farm and examine for evidence of rats. Examine at least 100 meters around the farm
  10. On the map mark out the position of the permanent baits and where clearance baits are to be placed
  11. All bait boxes should be new and numbered
  12. Clearance baits:  Check baits every week and continue baiting for one week after baits have stopped being taken
  13. Permanent baits:  Check baits every 2 weeks. If signs of feeding are found replenish the bait and re-survey the premises. Place baits in drain pipes placed at the base of straw.  Rodent bait map
  14. Burn all dead rodents found and all unused clearance bait boxes
  15. Prevent access to the bait by children and other animals
  16. Wear impervious gloves when handling dead rodents and baits
  17. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling baits or rodents
  18. Operator must be familiar with the safety rules for the rodenticide/baits being used
  19. Empty rodenticide/bait containers must not be re-used for any purpose
  20. In buildings which can be sealed, fumigation may be effective to reduce a serious infestation to controllable levels
  21. In straw stacks build stack on sand and plastic. Insert drain pipes while building the stack so that the inside of the straw stack can be baited throughout the storage period

Rodent control areas of concern:
 
Rubbish by building
Rubbish along building provide areas for rodents to hide

All buildings should have a 1-2 meter walk way to reduce rodent risks
Bags opened
Feed bags with rodent damage and evidence of fecal contamination

Stored bagged feed on pallets
 
Waste feed
Spilt feed by feed bin

Holes in feeders leading to waste feed
Water leaking
Water, in particular poorly cleaned drinkers provide rodents with waster and allow for the build up of disease
Insulation
Insulation can be seriously damaged and reduced through rodents

Rodent bait placement map.  All bait boxes should be numbered

 

 

PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT

Biosecurity

Isolation

Farrowing

Breeding

AI

Gestation

Nursery

Finishing

Hospital

Transport

Slaughter

Records