Pest controllers, farmers and gamekeepers are being asked to help create a more accurate picture of resistance to rodenticides in rats and mice as part of the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) testing programme in exchange for a free indiciation of their location’s status.
This is being offered following the latest surveillance by the CRRU which found that three-quarters of rats analysed carried a resistance gene and that one in five had two different genes, known as hybrid-resistance.
The testing involves collecting 2-3cm tail ends from freshly deceased rats or mice and sending by post in free packaging kits which are available with instructions here.
Without collecting such evidence, there could be further restrictions on the use of rodenticides if they continue to be used where they are ineffective or unnecessary.