Autumn always brings a major increase in sales of rodenticide products, but this year retailers face a new challenge.

Many retailers will be unaware of how the new European rodenticide legislations, which came into effect on March 1, may affect what they can legally purchase.

Rodent numbers could be higher this autumn and winter than for many years following the hot, dry summer which encouraged them to breed and enabled a high proportion of their offspring to survive and thrive.

Roger Simpson, managing director of Lodi UK, said: “Retailers are, therefore, likely to see a significant increase in customers looking to purchase rodenticides, many of whom will be unaware of changes in legislation since they last purchased such products. This could cause issues at the point of sale, so it is important to be able to explain the reasons for the changes, how products are now classified and those which are available.

“Previously, many in the rural community will have used professional-strength products, classified as those containing 50ppm (parts per million) of anticoagulant rodenticide active substances. The Lodi Gems range, for example, consists of ‘Ruby’, a highly attractive and very palatable Difenacoum-based bait for use against rats and mice, the ‘Jade’ range of premium quality Bromadiolone-based cereal baits for use against rodents and when all else fails, the ‘Sapphire’ range of Brodifacoum-based single-feed products which can solve the toughest rat and mouse infestation within days.”

Mr Simpson added: “The new legislation was designed to ensure that rodenticides are used correctly, in ways which minimise the exposure of wildlife and other non-target animals. “Whilst the changes were widely publicised by government agencies, industry organisations and commercial companies, including Lodi UK, many in the rural community who have been used to purchasing professional-strength rodenticides will not have heard about them or acted on that information. They will no longer be able to do so because they do not meet the professional criteria.”