Rodenticides
When dealing with a rat problem, it is important to consider all the available control methods before using rodenticides.
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Home » Pest and Predator Control » Where do I start?
The shooting of foxes, ground game, pest birds and rats is necessary to ensure that damage to game, wildlife, livestock, and growing crops is kept at sustainable levels. Both in daylight and for certain species at night, it is a safe and effective method of control. It is the responsibility of all those involved in pest control to ensure that it is carried out properly.
Before shooting commences:
It is essential when shooting that the appropriate choice of firearm and ammunition are used. Correct range judging is also essential to ensure the most effective kills.
The key is understanding the pest you are trying to control as this will impact the equipment you use, the clothing you wear and the times you shoot.
The firearms you use will vary massively depending upon the species you are controlling. Shotguns are often used for avian species, air rifles for small close-range pests and rimfire and centrefire rifles for larger or over a greater distance.
Both shotguns and rifles must be held on a certificate- for more information click here
You will need to identify the target pest’s behaviour patterns and habits. Knowing where the pests are likely to feed and where they might hide can help you locate them and make a more effective shot.
When it comes to using firearms to control pest and predator species, there are a number of ways we can approach this.
When controlling foxes, it can be highly effective to use centrefire rifles at night, with some form of night vision, thermal imaging or illuminating device to spot and aim.
When dealing with smaller pest species such as rats and squirrels, air rifles are very effective for use at close range.
When dealing with a rat problem, it is important to consider all the available control methods before using rodenticides.
Mink have had a devastating impact on our native fauna through predation on vulnerable species of birds, fish and mammals such as the water vole.
Pest and predator control is an integral part of conservation and wildlife management and it is necessary to reduce predation and damage to acceptable levels.
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