Farmers are being urged to watch for rodents moving into farm buildings earlier than usual as drought conditions and an early harvest reduce food, water and cover.

Ross Goodman, technical and key accounts director at agricultural pest control firm Lodi UK, said the current conditions will displace rodents from established habitats and drive them towards farmyards and buildings in search of food and water.  

He said: “Vegetation is very dry, and combined with crops coming in earlier there is less food and cover available to rodents which will push them elsewhere.”

According to Goodman, this reflects a wider shift towards 'rodent pressure' becoming less predictable, with extreme weather making traditional seasonal patterns increasingly unreliable.  

‘Rodent pressure’ means the level of risk or intensity of attack that rats and mice pose to a building, farm, or area.

He said: “Farmers can no longer rely on the typical four seasons to predict when rodent pressure will begin.

“Measures need to be in place now to identify rodent activity before populations become established.”

Warning signs

Goodman cited warning signs that farmers should look out for, such as droppings, smear marks, runs and gnawing.

“Once you find evidence of rodents, that is the point to assess the scale of the problem and decide on the most appropriate control,” he said.

He added that treatment should follow Think Wildlife's best practice, referring to a campaign for responsible rodenticide use.

This means starting with the least toxic effective option and taking the scale of the infestation into account.

Goodman said: “The key is to use the right product for the right application.

“Assess the size of the infestation, where rodents are active and make sure bait can be used safely and securely.”

In the UK, since January 1, 2026, farmers need a Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) UK-approved certificate to purchase and use professional rodenticides.

In Ireland, famers are required to provide proof of a valid herd or flock number to purchase professional rodenticides as trained, professional users.