Rodent Management on New York State Farms Survey
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Recent research has demonstrated that wildlife, including mammalian predators and raptors, are exposed to second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs). The most likely pathway for this exposure is on- and off-target poisoning of rodents, which are then consumed by predators. To combat this issue, some governments (the state of California and British Columbia) have placed restrictions on the sale and use of SGARs. However, in some cases, these restrictions have not reduced exposure risks for rodent predators. One possible explanation is that non-target and secondary poisonings occur in agricultural settings, where product uses are still allowed. Currently, not much is known about the use of rodenticides on farms in New York State, or the education that farmers receive regarding the implementation of these products. Therefore, a survey was developed to obtain preliminary information on the use of rodenticides in agricultural production. Results of the survey suggest that rodents are a problem in key areas on farms, such as production and storage. In most cases, farmers perform the rodent management, with 60% using rodenticides. Of the 141 individuals that responded to the survey, 56% are not certified with a private or commercial applicators license, and 89% indicated that they have not received training on rodent control. These results highlight the need to provide education to farmers on safe and effective techniques to manage rodents on farms that reduce risks to non-target organisms.