PRESS RELEASE

New findings from a rural focused survey conducted by BASF highlight a clear opportunity for pest control professionals to strengthen their role within the rural sector.

With rodent pressure increasing, resistance concerns growing, and the recent CRRU rodenticide purchasing changes, many farmers are facing mounting challenges and actively need expert support.

For pest control technicians, there is a clear message that now is the time to engage more rural businesses and position your services as an essential part of farm resilience and regulation.

Rodent activity: a universal farm issue

The survey shows that almost all UK farms are experiencing rodent problems, with more than 60% reporting simultaneous infestations of rats and mice.

Mixed arable and livestock enterprises are particularly affected due to the diverse habitats and food sources they offer. 

Laurence Barnard, Country Business Manager for BASF P&SS said: “For pest professionals, this data reinforces an important point - that farm infestations are rarely simple, single-species issues.

"They require ongoing monitoring, strategic planning, and integrated control - not reactive, one-off baiting which can be common practice on farm.

"Proactively contacting farms in your area to offer site assessments, resistance-aware programmes, and structured IPM plans could significantly reduce long-term infestations while building recurring service contracts.”

Control is becoming harder for farmers

More than half of farmers say rodent control has become more difficult in the past year. Contributing factors include suspected rodenticide resistance, rising rodent populations, fewer perceived product options, wetter, milder weather supporting survival, and pressure from auditors and specifiers.

While some farms already use professional pest control services, many still manage infestations in-house, placing responsibility on busy farm managers who may lack the time, training, knowledge, or confidence to maintain compliant, effective programmes.

Laurence adds, “For pest control professionals, this is all in the job and already a major part of what many do across all country.

"Pest professionals offer compliance-focused audits, review control strategies, implement structured monitoring systems, provide resistance-informed solutions, and deliver CRRU-aligned best practice advice and service.”

Resistance: a growing risk on farms

Resistance is no longer theoretical; it’s a real problem. Over 60% of farmers express concern about rodenticide resistance, and around 40% report suspected resistance on their farms.

Improper bait selection in resistant populations can prolong infestations, increase bait usage, strengthen resistant gene pools, and raise overall control costs.

“This is where professional expertise is critical”, says Laurence. “Trained technicians are uniquely positioned to identify potential resistance issues, responsibly select appropriate control measures and active ingredients, r, and protect long-term efficacy.

"Non-anticoagulant solutions such as Selontra® - a cholecalciferol rodenticide, provide an alternative mode of action with no known resistance, making them a valuable addition to rural IPM strategies where anticoagulant performance is compromised.”

2026 CRRU changes: uncertainty creates opportunity

The survey reveals that awareness of the 2026 CRRU changes when it comes to purchasing professional rodenticide products is low yet concern about compliance is high.

Nearly 70% of farmers feel uncertain about meeting new requirements, and almost half have not adjusted their rodent management strategies.

Since January 2026, proof of CRRU-approved certification (within five years) is required to purchase professional-use rodenticides and purchasing under farm assurance schemes is no longer accepted.

For many farms, this introduces the need to undergo additional training and greater responsibility on compliance.  

“Rather than taking a “wait-and-see” approach, farmers need guidance”, explains Laurence, “This is a prime moment for pest control businesses to contact local farms to explain regulatory updates, offer managed service contracts, provide compliance reassurance, offer to take responsibility for delivering structured IPM plans aligned with best practice.

"By positioning your service as both a technical and compliance safeguard, you shift from being a reactive supplier to a strategic partner.”

Integrated Pest Management: professional delivery is key

The survey confirms that farmers already use a mix of rodenticides, trapping, and proofing. However, without structured oversight, these measures may lack coordination or long-term planning.

Professional pest control businesses can elevate this by offering scheduled monitoring visits, reporting and trend tracking, environmental risk assessments, proofing recommendations, species-specific control strategies, and resistance-informed product use.

Farmers’ top priorities remain effectiveness and speed of control, but regulatory compliance and environmental responsibility are becoming increasingly important according to our survey. Professional involvement ensures all three are achieved.

Laurence Barnard said: “Farmers are under pressure from increasing rodent activity, resistance concerns, regulatory changes, labour constraints, and biosecurity demands.

"Many are looking for reassurance and practical solutions. This is the time to audit your local rural client base, reach out to farms not currently using professional services, offer initial consultations, educate on the recent changes, and promote fully managed IPM contracts. 

“The survey findings show farmers need support, and as a pest control professional, you are uniquely positioned to provide it. Proactive engagement now can strengthen long-term rural partnerships, protect product efficacy, and establish your business as the trusted authority in farm pest management.”