Stored product pests are not only a problem in food storage areas, but also in smaller food containers – such as rodent bait stations.
The new rodenticide regulations essentially eliminate the set-and-forget approach to rodent baiting, where baits can be left in place for months on end without being inspected. Strangely enough, this compulsory change in practice may also eliminate a common source of stored product pest infestations.
Being cereal based, rodent baits are highly attractive to a wide range of stored product pests. In investigating stored product pest infestations, it is not uncommon for pest managers to determine that rodent bait has been the source of the infestation.
The beetles most commonly found in rodent baits are drugstore beetles, cigarette beetles and warehouse beetles, which are all generalist feeders that will eat a wide range of foodstuffs including grains, other vegetable material and also a range of animal material. Indeed, the warehouse beetle –which is a member of the dermestid family (which also includes carpet beetles) – will feed on rodent carcasses and droppings. Although these are the most common stored product pests found feeding on rodent baits, other pests such as pantry moths will use rodent baits as a breeding site as well.
Rodent baits have traditionally been left for many months in roof voids, where it is nice and warm and the stored product pests have plenty of time to complete their life cycle. Drugstore and cigarette beetles can complete their life cycle in as little as two months, with warehouse beetles having a longer life cycle close to four months. Leaving baits unchecked for several months therefore allows stored product pests to establish and create a problem.
However, with the new regulation stipulating inspection periods of less than 35 days for second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, it should prevent stored product pests becoming established within these products. Of course, if there are extended periods without inspection for non-SGAR baits, they can still be a source of stored product pest infestation.
Whatever the rodent bait being used, any baits placed in and around food management facilities, even in bait stations, are essentially an unprotected and very attractive food source for stored product pests. It’s no use putting in place actions to protect food materials in food management establishments if you don’t keep a close eye on any rodent baits you have in place.
