Ive just read I need to do a Lantra Rodent Management course to buy rat poison. I just wondered if anyone has done it and if they had any thoughts. It just seems like another paper exercise and lost day of work for something I only need to use in a blue moon. Frustrating as hell !!!
Rodent Management
- Thread starter nick.308
- Start date
Jon P
Well-Known Member
The issue has been the indiscriminate use of rodenticides being left where non target species can gain access to it or poisoned rodents not being collected and ingested by other animals. The occasional user is more of a liability with it than someone using professionally .so they are trying to educate all users .
Yeh I get that but a farmers not going to hire a pest controller to put a bit of rat poison down. Not financially viable. Just another wasted day of my life.... I hope we have the plague return and it migth bring back somo common sense.
Im from the generation that had to do the trailer towing driving test. They scrapped that after covid .....
Im from the generation that had to do the trailer towing driving test. They scrapped that after covid .....
Jon P
Well-Known Member
Over the years I have seen some dire places that farmers have left rodenticide, so a bit of education for some is not a bad thing.
shakey jake
Well-Known Member
Thats just not true, i work for at least a dozen farmers, rat control doesnt have to be expensive.
I hope crop assured come down harder on farmers with rat signs and stop them selling.
Most of the time poison isnt needed, just house keeping
Define ‘ farmers’ they are not some breed apart, just blokes like you and me, they probably shoot and might even have game shooting or stalking on their land. Considering the hoops and paperwork they have to satisfy these days farmers are probably more on the ball and savvy than the average joe, niggle over… back to your cornflakes lol.
WB
farmer_giles
Active Member
I have the LANTRA bait certificate which I did online and it took about 2 hours, including the learning bit.
We try to avoid using rat bait unless absolutely necessary, as we don't want to kill the owls. I've not bought any bait for about 6 years.
The key is to keep on top of them with a bit of night shooting now and again and not let them get out of control.
Ours is a poultry farm so it is ideal conditions for them, but that said I only go out about once or twice a month when conditions are good.
I use an FAC air rifle, IR scope, thermal spotter, trigger sticks. The thermal spotter is a game changer. A thermal scope would be a nice upgrade as the rats can see the IR but thermal scopes are rather expensive!!
farmerGiles
We try to avoid using rat bait unless absolutely necessary, as we don't want to kill the owls. I've not bought any bait for about 6 years.
The key is to keep on top of them with a bit of night shooting now and again and not let them get out of control.
Ours is a poultry farm so it is ideal conditions for them, but that said I only go out about once or twice a month when conditions are good.
I use an FAC air rifle, IR scope, thermal spotter, trigger sticks. The thermal spotter is a game changer. A thermal scope would be a nice upgrade as the rats can see the IR but thermal scopes are rather expensive!!
farmerGiles
I just got a lockable bait box with eight small bags of blue grain bait, Amazon.
Jon P
Well-Known Member
I am defining farmers as someone with a CPH Number and keeps agriculture livestock. Lots of farmers have contracts with professional companies, quite often at reduced cost as the pest boys shoot on there ground. Some farmers do it themselves to a high standard. Others will just through bait sachets in random places around the yard and sheds for anything to find them. I inspect farms for a living. So see the good and the bad.
I was also a full time pesty in my previous life.
Had rats recently got all set up shot 6 and now not seen any more for 3 weeks ... quite disappointed really
Strangely I’ve had the same, they kept coming to the bird table so I set up in a bedroom window and shot several… they’ve stopped coming!
WB
TringSaint
Well-Known Member
We buy some stuff off Amazon that works a treat.
Stick them on the ‘kebab’ skewers in the bait boxes and leave them for the rats to enjoy!!
Ratcatcher
Well-Known Member
After 40 years or so as a pestie, I do about 20 farms on contract now by the way, Tuesday this week it's off to my supplier to sit in a classroom and then do an exam! No doubt I'll be irritated as hell as some well dressed 12 year old tells me how to catch a rat
but, and here's the but, I've seen rodenticides piled on bird tables " because that's where they go" sprinkled on paths for the same reason, my latest contract was obtained because the farmer in question put peanut butter on rat blocks because " they weren't eating it". The secondary poisoning question, owls etc, is much less clear, personally I haven't seen a single proven case of accidental poisoning? Deliberate actions is another case entirely
but, and here's the but, I've seen rodenticides piled on bird tables " because that's where they go" sprinkled on paths for the same reason, my latest contract was obtained because the farmer in question put peanut butter on rat blocks because " they weren't eating it". The secondary poisoning question, owls etc, is much less clear, personally I haven't seen a single proven case of accidental poisoning? Deliberate actions is another case entirely
Another issue is untrained / poorly trained rat men spreading poison all over a shoot willy nilly , rats soon to learn to avoid poor baiting and none target species are killed .
Common sense is none too common today ! Heck i have seen some horrific spreading by some idiots
timbrayford
Well-Known Member
on as many occasions as you like too, if everybody was to take rat control seriously there wouldn't be a problem
purdeydog
Well-Known Member
From 1 January 2026, sellers of professional-grade rodenticides in the UK will require proof of competence at the point of sale and for use. This change is introduced by the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU-UK) and affects farmers, gamekeepers and professional pest controllers.
What counts as proof of competence?
You must show one of the following at purchase:
A CRRU-UK-approved training/qualification certificate less than five years old,
OR
A CRRU-UK-approved training certificate older than five years, plus active membership of a CRRU-approved CPD scheme(for example, BASIS Prompt or BPCA Registered).
Step-by-step: What you need to do (clear actions)
Step 1: Locate your CRRU certificate (now)
Find your CRRU-approved training certificate and note the date of issue.
If you can’t find it, contact the training provider to request a copy (this maybe chargeable if it’s an RSPH certificate).
Step 2: Check whether the certificate will be under five years old on 1 Jan 2026
If yes → you meet the requirement; go to Step 4.
If no (certificate >5 years or you don’t have one) → go to Step 3.
Step 3: If your certificate is older than five years (or you have no certificate)
Option A (fast): Book and complete a CRRU-approved training course so your new certificate will be less than five years old.
Option B (if you keep your older certificate): Join a CRRU-approved CPD scheme during 2025 (examples: BASIS Prompt, BPCA Registered). Ensure you fulfil the scheme’s membership/CPD criteria beforeattempting to purchase professional rodenticide in 2026.
What counts as proof of competence?
You must show one of the following at purchase:
A CRRU-UK-approved training/qualification certificate less than five years old,
OR
A CRRU-UK-approved training certificate older than five years, plus active membership of a CRRU-approved CPD scheme(for example, BASIS Prompt or BPCA Registered).
Step-by-step: What you need to do (clear actions)
Step 1: Locate your CRRU certificate (now)
Find your CRRU-approved training certificate and note the date of issue.
If you can’t find it, contact the training provider to request a copy (this maybe chargeable if it’s an RSPH certificate).
Step 2: Check whether the certificate will be under five years old on 1 Jan 2026
If yes → you meet the requirement; go to Step 4.
If no (certificate >5 years or you don’t have one) → go to Step 3.
Step 3: If your certificate is older than five years (or you have no certificate)
Option A (fast): Book and complete a CRRU-approved training course so your new certificate will be less than five years old.
Option B (if you keep your older certificate): Join a CRRU-approved CPD scheme during 2025 (examples: BASIS Prompt, BPCA Registered). Ensure you fulfil the scheme’s membership/CPD criteria beforeattempting to purchase professional rodenticide in 2026.
The Ratman
New Member
Baiting open areas away from buildings with all but one rodenticide is now prohibited. The ‘new’ bait cholecalciferol is also £25 per kilo and Harmonix is the only bait now approved for open areas, burrow baiting and waste dumps
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