Pesticide usage in Scotland: Rodenticide use by Local Authorities 2023

Non-chemical rodent control

LAs were also asked if they employed non-chemical methods of rodent control. A response was received from 25 LAs, of which 20 (80% of the sample) stated that they utilised one or more non-chemical control methods, up from 72% in the 2015 survey⁽¹⁾.

Traps were the most common method reported, used by 20 LAs (80% of the sample). One LA noted it had not used traps in 2023, but would have if it had been necessary (as a "last resort"). A further follow-up question regarding the type of trap used found that 20 LAs used snap/breakback traps or other spring traps (i.e. traps on the Spring Trap Approval Order). Two also used glue boards and one used live traps, with some LAs using more than one type. Other methods of control encountered were proofing and exclusion and habitat management (reported by two and one LAs respectively). The mix of methods used is similar to that found in the 2015 survey⁽¹⁾ (Table 4)