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Contents Page
Introduction 3
Why Bayer have produced this guide 3
The rodent problem 4
Understanding rat behaviour 5
Understanding mouse behaviour 6
Indications of rodent activity 7
Bayer and Rodenticide Stewardship 8
Effective and successful control 11
Racumin® Paste 12
COSHH Site Assessment form 13
Bait placement maps 15
Baiting programme records 20
2 3
Introduction
Racumin® Paste is a ready-to-use rat bait containing coumatetralyl 0.0375% (w/w) and
is very attractive to rats due to its high quality food ingredients. It also contains the
bittering agent BitrexTM to prevent accidental ingestion.
With a wide range of application areas including outdoor – in open areas use, Racumin®
Paste is the perfect choice when treating external rat activity that does not fall within the
‘In and Around Building’ requirement.
Racumin® Paste can be used as part of an effective IPM approach accompanied by the
innovative Racumim® Foam, a non-bait rodenticide for indoor use, and the Rodilon®
Range, allowing a choice of formulation types for use in and around buildings in the UK,
and indoor use only in the Republic of Ireland.
Why Bayer have produced this guide
There is now increased pressure to improve and enforce best practice regarding the
application of anticoagulant rodenticides. This will help to minimise the risk to non-
target species and the environment that can be posed by rodent treatments. Permanent
baiting with rodenticide is now discouraged unless justified by a risk assessment, with
non-toxic monitoring and alternative control measures such as proofing and trapping to
be considered before resorting to pesticide treatments. In line with best practice within
the professional pest control industry and in accordance with the label, all professional
pest controllers using rodenticides must plan, assess and record their rodent control
programmes.
This guide will help you to:
• Evaluate whether there is a need for rodenticide use
• Introduce an effective approach to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in
order to combat rodents
• Choose the right product from Bayer based on the given circumstances
• Use rodenticides as per the directions on the label to ensure that the risk to
non-target species is minimised
The rodent problem
Rodent numbers continue to increase year on year and the challenge to control them
is becoming increasingly difficult.
• Rodent damage costs the UK and Irish farming industry between £16 and £25 million a year.
• On average 210 tonnes of animal feed and cereals are eaten by rats every day in the UK and
the Republic of Ireland.
• Rodents’ urine, faeces and hair contaminate feed and produce.
• Contaminated feed and produce can lead to disease in both livestock and humans.
• Over 20% of farm fires are caused by rats gnawing through electrical wiring.
• Rodents are highly adapted to survive in constantly changing environments.
• Rats and mice are developing resistance to many well known anti-coagulant rodenticides.
Commensal rodents
‘Commensal’ rodents effectively means ‘live off man’s table’. In the UK and the Republic
of Ireland there are 3 species of commensal rodents considered as pests:
• The Norway, common, sewer or brown rat (Rattus norvegicus).
• The Black, ship or roof rat (Rattus rattus).
• The House mouse (Mus musculus).
Resistance to rodenticides
Multi feed rodenticides often require multiple feedings in order for the rodent to ingest
enough active ingredient for a lethal dose. There are concerns that resistance to many
traditional baits available in the UK and the Republic of Ireland is on the increase and as
a result rats and mice on farms are becoming more difficult to control.
Recorded rodent control is essential
Farm assurance requirements make effective and recorded rodent control essential.
As well as ensuring that a good rodent control programme is in place, these schemes
require the bait to be used correctly, placed in secure baiting stations and access
limited to reduce the risk of non target poisonings (e.g. dogs, cats and birds).
Effective baiting
To be able to bait effectively it is important to have a good understanding of the behaviour
of rats and mice, understand that rats and mice are different and have a planned approach
to controlling them. The next few pages explain their biology, give guidelines on where and
how to place bait, and provide a section to record baiting activity.
4 5
Understanding rat behaviour
The Norway rat or brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) is the most dominant species in the UK
and the Republic of Ireland and infest both urban and rural environments. Rats do not
normally move great distances but in their hunt for food they have been known to travel
up to two kilometres in a night, often on mass.
They are highly intelligent creatures and adapt very quickly to ensure their survival. They
spend most of their life on the ground but have the ability to climb walls, obstacles and
swim.
Rats have established cycles of activity, and as autumn approaches they begin to move
into buildings and farm yards looking for food and shelter. They prefer areas that have
good cover close to buildings where they can use well established routes to move
between burrows and feeding sites. They are active almost exclusively at night and
feed at one or two feeding sites remaining out of sight and concealed in family burrows
during the day.
Rats are known as neophobic. This means that they have a fear and are extremely wary
of anything new in their environment. This can also mean that rats will avoid any new
bait stations until they are confident of their safety and this can take up to ten days.
Rats are also very choosy and won’t take mouldy food, they have a highly developed
sense of smell and taste and will reject anything unfamiliar. They can develop bait
shyness – once a negative experience is communicated to other group members they
will avoid the bait.
Once a colony of rats have identified a source of food they will follow a definite route
from their burrows to the food source leaving well defined trails or runs. Rats require a
separate source of water and colonies can often be found living close to water such as
streams, rivers or drinking troughs. On average they consume approx 10% of their own
body weight (25 - 30g) in food per day.
• Habitat - Burrows often in rough or undisturbed ground, close to buildings and water source.
• Social Groups - Live in colonies of 8 - 15. Become very territorial when food is in short supply.
Dominant males and females.
• Breeding - Can produce up to 6 - 8 young per female every 20 - 25 days - 5 litters per year.
• Feeding - Feeds at 2 - 3 familiar points mostly at night. Eats 25 - 30g per day. Requires water.
• Activity - Nocturnal mainly active at night. Live at ground level. Climb, swim and run.
• Territory - An area of 100 - 250m. Will travel up to 2km in search of food.
Indications of rodent activity Bayer and Rodenticide Stewardship
Rodents are nocturnal and feed mainly at night so are rarely seen. The following are In the United Kingdom, the application of professional use rodenticide formulations is
signs that rodents are present. governed by the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU’s) Code of Best
Practice, under the terms of the rodenticide stewardship regime. The stewardship
regime is a voluntary initiative developed by CRRU and the users of professional use
rodenticides to minimise the accidental exposure of non-target species to rodenticides.
Droppings
Rat droppings range between 12mm to As a responsible manufacturer of professional pest control chemicals, Bayer is
20mm long. committed to product and rodenticide stewardship to ensure that our products are used
Mouse droppings range between 3mm in an environmentally safe manner, whilst still providing the best possible control of the
to 6mm long. target rodent species. Bayer is also an active CRRU member.

In line with all professional rodenticide products registered within the stewardship
regime framework, Bayer’s Racumin® Paste displays the following warning on the label;

Urine stains, body smears and odour

Rats frequently urinate and leave body “To be used only by professional users holding certification demonstrating
smears as they move around. The compliance with UK rodenticide stewardship regime requirements.
odour of even small populations of
rodents is easily identified. Mice have a “Read the label before use. Using this product in a manner that is inconsistent
different odour than rats. with the label may be an offense. Refer to CRRU UK Code of Best Practice for
guidance.

“When this product is supplied to a user for the control of rodents, it shall
only be supplied to a professional user holding certification demonstrating
Runways and tracks compliance with UK rodenticide stewardship requirements”
Well worn paths in vegetation, footprints
and tail marks in dust, soft earth and
sand indicate a rodent problem. For guidance on the United Kingdom stewardship regime, the CRRU Code and
approved certifications for the purchase and application of professional use rodenticides,
visit the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) website (www.thinkwildlife.
org.uk) For guidance on Bayer rodenticide products contact the Bayer Pest Solutions
team (www.environmentalscience.bayer.co.uk/Pest-Management)

Gnawing damage
The double gouge marks of rodent twin
incisors are easily identified. The relative
size of the teeth gouges can give a clue
to the species.
www.thinkwildlife.org.uk

Please use rodenticides responsibly,

minimising the risk of exposure to people,
pets and non-target secies. For practical
guidance, just follow the CRRU Code
(www.thinkwildlife.org.uk).

6 7
First generation rodenticides and their place
as part of an IPM approach
With pressure to improve best practice and consider alternatives to the potent
second generation rodenticides, first generation solutions have an increasingly
valuable role to play in a modern IPM approach.
Over the years, first generations have
developed a reputation of being old,
ineffective and suffering from widespread
resistance. While this may be the case
with warfarin, many people overlook
the fact that not all first generations
are the same. Formulations containing
actives such as coumatetralyl have fewer
resistance strains and are therefore
a legitimate consideration for pest
controllers.
If a pest controller decides that the best
form of control of a rodent infestation
includes the use of a rodenticide, the
geographical location and surrounding
environment of the infestation
will dictate the options available.
Resistance Management
It is a known fact that there is resistance
to the active ingredients in first and
second generation rodenticides in certain
areas of the country. That resistance will
rule out the use of products containing
these actives in these areas, as not only
are they likely to be ineffective, but the
use of these will act to compound the
resistance issue. It is important that
resistance is officially identified (e.g.
rat tail analysis) before discounting
products as the real issue may be
palatability of bait and not resistance.
There have been known cases in these
highly resistant regions where products
containing coumatetralyl have managed
to control infestations without any
trouble because of the formulation type
or method of control. If a pest controller
is treating in a region where resistance
is less of a problem, the use of a first
generation is a very effective first choice
and it will be of lower risk to non-target
wildlife.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE),
CRRU and the Pest Control industry
have worked to ensure best practice
by developing a stewardship regime for
anticoagulant rodenticides.
Pest Control Operatives (PCOs) need
to be aware of all the control options at
their disposal and be reminded that there
is a place for the use of less potent, but
effective, first generations.

8 9
Access all areas In and around buildings
Racumin® Paste is a ready-to-use rat bait containing coumatetralyl 0.0375% (w/w) In and around buildings means
and is very attractive to rats due to its high quality food ingredients. Racumin® Paste rodenticide controls can be applied
also contains the bittering agent Bitrex™ to prevent accidental ingestion.This within a building where there is rodent
ensures increased bait security without reducing effectiveness. Racumin® Paste is infestation, but also around those
available in a 100g ready to use soft block formulation that is; buildings boundaries in order to prevent
that particular infestation entering the
building. Unless it can be proven that
the rodents being controlled from around
• Highly Palatable - The paste soft block formulation is preferred by rodents, even in the building are entering the building,
challenging environments where there are alternative food sources. then rodenticides with an ‘in and around
buildings’ requirement on the label
• Simple and easy to use - Racumin® Paste is a convenient, premeasured, ready to use
formulation suitable for almost any environment. cannot be applied “around the building”.
• Toxicity for non-target species - Among the anticoagulants, it is one of the least dangerous
to humans, pets, livestock and wildlife when used according to label instructions. Racumin® Paste can be applied ‘In
and Around Buildings’ and in Sewers
Examples of use in and around buildings:
Areas of Use • Domestic houses
• Gardens where rodents are entering
There are no official definitions for the areas of use detailed on Bayer rodenticide
a home
labels. It is essential that Professional Pest Controllers read the label of the
product to be applied and understand what ‘areas of use’ apply to their rodenticide • Farm grain stores
treatments. Bayer would describe them as the following, shown right:
• Around grain stores where rodents
are entering the store
• Sewers
In and around buildings
10
Open areas
Open areas refers to any area away from
buildings where a rodent infestation is
a problem, but does not have a direct
impact on the buildings or structures.
Locations that can be described as
‘Open Areas’ may include, park areas,
around farmland and around golf
courses. When used according to the
label, first generation anticoagulant
rodenticides such as Racumin® Paste
pose less of a risk to non-target species
and are therefore ideal for open area use
where appropriate.
Racumin® Paste can be applied in
‘Open Areas’
Examples of open areas use:
• In the field food stores (potato,
sugar beet clamps)
• Country parks near food areas
• Game rearing locations
• Golf courses
Open areas
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Effective and successful control
The use of a rodenticide bait should be part of a planned Integrated Rodent
Management strategy as used alone baiting will not be sufficient. To gain control of an
infestation there are six golden rules to follow:
1. INSPECTION
Have a careful look and try to determine exactly where the infestation is coming from so
that the problem can be tackled at source. Typical signs are the smudge marks left by a
rodent’s oily hair, its droppings and any damage to goods or structures.
2. IDENTIFICATION
By observing the rodents identifying characteristics and by inspecting its droppings,
you will know which of the species you are dealing with and will then be able to focus
on the correct tactics to eliminate the problem. Mice and rats have distinguishing
behaviour patterns and need to be controlled differently.
3. SANITATION
Removing food sources is a key factor in successful rodent control. Rubbish, food
or feed should be stored where possible in sealed containers. Outside debris and
vegetation close to buildings should be removed. Reduce rodents’ water sources e.g.
ditches, stagnant pools, empty buckets, unused water troughs, silage tyres etc.
4. RODENT PROOFING
Keep rodents out of buildings by closing off the typical places where they can gain
access. Try to close all holes in external walls, reinforce the base of wooden doors with
metal strips to prevent gnawing and access, install self closing devices on doors that
are frequently used.
5. USE AN EFFECTIVE BAIT
Racumin® Paste from Bayer contains Coumatetralyl, a first generation anticoagulant
rodenticide with no known resistance in rats.
6. REMAIN VIGILANT
Once an infestation has been controlled there will always be new rodents waiting
to move into the same territory. Always monitor for new activity and begin a baiting
programme as soon as possible.
Spilt grain on the farm,
will attract rodents.
Good house keeping is
essential
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COSHH Site
Assessment Form
This is a Site Assessment form draft and it needs to be customised by the rodenticide user.
1. Site address _____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Pest species _____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Briefly describe the task/process ________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Who is at risk? Operator Public Environment
5. Substance/product name and description
RACUMIN® PASTE A ready-to-use paste bait containing Coumatetralyl (0.0375% w/w) for use as a
rodenticide (PT14), by professionals only. For the control of rats for the protection of public health, stored
products and materials.
6. How is the supplied substance to be used and quantity:
To be used as supplied, by placing in appropriate places, as per label instructions. Application rate as
per label recommendations, dependant on the rodents being controlled. For use in and around buildings,
outdoors (open areas) and sewers by professional users only.
7. Manufacturer
Bayer CropScience Ltd, 230 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WB
Telephone from the UK & the Republic of Ireland: 0080012149451
Email: pestsolutions@bayer.com
Web: www.environmentalscience.bayer.co.uk
Emergency number (24h): from the UK; 0800 220876 from the Republic of Ireland: 1800 409399 or nearest
National Poisons Information Centre
8. Classification
• See MSDS
9. Route of Exposure
• Ingestion
• Dermal absorption
• Wildlife ingestion
10. State the Risks to Health from Identified Hazards
• Health hazards would mostly occur through accidental ingestion, due to the inhibition of the blood
coagulation that cause haemorrhagic symptoms. Significant quantities would have to be ingested to
provide toxic effects. This has to be taken into account when laying the rodenticide especially with
children and non-target animals species being at highest risk.
• Pest control operator to read and follow all Directions for Use, Precautions and Instructions on the
Product label.
13
 COSHH Site Bait placement
Assessment Form map example
11. Control Measures
• Avoid all contact by mouth, wash hands and exposed skin before eating, drinking or smoking and after work. Use the grid to make a sketch plan of your main treatment areas and then mark your
• Do not lay rodenticide where food, feed or water could become contaminated. baiting points on the grid. Record the date and location of each bait treatment in
• Prevent access to the rodenticide by children and animals, particularly dogs and birds. the baiting programme tables on the following pages. This will help you monitor bait
• Search for and remove dead rodents at frequent intervals during treatment, at least as often as consumption at each point over the period of control.
foam is inspected and/or replaced.
• Collect dead bodies to prevent public health problems and secondary poisoning and dispose of
dead bodies in accordance with local requirements.
• Remove any product residue when rodents eliminated.
• Leave client with MSDS.
• Read the label before use.
• Update as necessary (site specific).

12. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Wear PPE when handling, as specified on the label/ MSDS.

13. First Aid Measures

• General: In case of accident, suspected exposure or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice
immediately (show the label/MSDS where pos sible).
• Eyes: Remove contact lenses if present and rinse the eye slowly and gently with water for at
least 15 mintues. Seek medical advice imm ediately.
• Skin: Wash with soap and water. Remove and launder any contaminated clothing.
• Ingestion: Seek medical attention.
• Antidote: VITAMIN K1
Seek medical advice in any of the above circumstances

14. Storage & Transport

• This product is extremely flammable.
• Keep away from heat and sources of ignition.
• Do not open by force or throw into fire even after use.
• Do not spray on flames or red-hot objects.
• Keep away from food, drink and animal feedingstuffs.
• Keep the container stored in a dry, cool, well-ventilated location.
• Do not contaminate food, water or feeds by storage or disposal.
• Transport classification: 1950.

15. Spillage
• Use PPE when handling any spillage
• Do not discharge into soil, drains or surface or ground water. If spillage enters river or
watercourses, inform the Environment Agency (emergency telephone number 0800 807060).
• Remove all sources of ignition.
• Collect into suitable containers, which can be labelled and sealed, incinerate or take to a special
waste disposal site in accordance with local authority regulations.

16. Disposal of Substances & Contaminated Containers

• Disposal of the liquid product when not contained in the aerosol container by incineration in an appropriately
licensed commercial incinerator.
• Advice may be obtained from the local waste regulation authority (part of the Environmental Agency in the UK).
• Ensure aerosol container is empty before disposal.
• Waste key for the unused product: 160504.

Assessed by: Date: Review Date:

14 15
 Bait placement Bait placement
map example map example

16 17
 Baiting programme Baiting programme
example example

Area reference Area reference

Name and type of bait used Name and type of bait used

Bait point Date of first Date of bait replacement or top Bait point Date of first Date of bait replacement or top
number baiting up applications number baiting up applications

Signature Comments Signature Comments

18 19
 Pest
Solutions Backed by Bayer

At Bayer our experienced UK team

of Pest Experts combine the expert
scientific knowledge of Bayer with a
practical understanding of how our
Bayer CropScience Ltd
230 Cambridge Science Park products can be integrated into your
Milton Road
Cambridge pest control programme.
CB4 0WB
Tel: 00800 1214 9451
Fax: 01223 226635 Contact the Pest Solutions team with your
Email: pestsolutions@bayer.com
www.environmentalscience.bayer.co.uk
questions at pestsolutions@bayer.com or on
00800 1214 9451.

USE BIOCIDES SAFELY. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND PRODUCT You can also subscribe to receive regular updates from
INFORMATION BEFORE USE.
For further product information including warning phrases and symbols the team at www.environmentalscience.bayer.co.uk
refer to product label or www.environmentalscience.bayer.co.uk. The Pest Solutions team from Bayer can offer you:
Racumin® Paste contains 0.0375% w/w Coumatetralyl BPR: UK-2016-
0953. Racumin® Foam is a registered trademark of Bayer Crop Science
Ltd. Rodilon® contains 0.0025% w/w difethialone. BPR: UK-2011-0043, • Technical support
UK-2011-0048, UK-2011-0050, UK-2011-0051. IE/BPA 70181, IE/BPA
70184, IE/BPA 70182, IE/BPA 70183. Rodilon® is a registered trademark
• Tailored advice
of Bayer CropScience Ltd. © Copyright of Bayer CropScience Ltd 2017. • Training & seminars