ERA & Practical Rodent Trapping (West Yorkshire)

Practical Rodent Trapping

With the increased restrictions on rodenticide use and the “loss” of glue boards an ever-increasing amount of pressure has been placed on the pest controller’s toolbox.

During this practical course attendees will review the use of traps and investigated and refine their skills to enhance their understanding of the trapping process. Attendees will learn practical tips and techniques on trap effectiveness, placement and fieldcraft.

Practical trap setting will be undertaken with a wide range of both professional and amateur traps available for investigation.

A wide range of trap types will be available for review including spring, break back, live capture and many others. The extensive range of traps will ensure attendees gain a wide range of experiences and knowledge with multiple traps, including those that they themselves may not use but may encounter during their works.

The session will focus on rodent trapping, predominantly rats, mice with some attention paid to squirrel trapping.

During the course you will:

• Review the importance of fieldcraft when considering trap placement
• Practice and gain additional skills through practical trap setting
• Build confidence in using a variety of trap types
• Understand the legal requirements when considering trap setting
• Gain an understanding of both amateur and professional traps in order to expand your knowledge of traps they may be encountered.

Practical Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA)

Environmental risk assessments are one of the key components of the Campaign for responsible rodenticide use (CRRU). Completion of these are an absolute necessity for the continued safe use of rodenticides in external areas. The code of practice and product labels requires anyone applying a rodenticide in an external area to conduct a suitable and sufficient environmental risk assessment to ensure that the risks posed by the application of rodenticide is minimized on the environment including the wildlife within the environment

This practical course will provide real life experience investigating the key component of the code of this, often overlooked key piece of documentation.

The aim of this, course, is to simplify the process, review some tips and tricks on how to conduct an effective environmental risk assessment. The session will involve a practical element of conducting environmental risk assessment at the

The session will build on existing skills and aim to enhance identification skills. The course will consider how to document and effectively mitigate the risks posed when using a rodenticide.

During the course you will:

• Improve identification skills of target and non-target species
• Work through a practical ERA assessment
• Understand where to gain resources necessary to complete an ERA
• Gain confidence in documenting your finds