Protecting Forage Bales from Rodents: What Farmers Need to Know
There’s nothing new about rats and mice causing problems around farms. But when rodents get into stored forage, the damage can go well beyond a few chewed strands of twine.
A damaged bale can mean lost forage, extra handling and more work when it comes to feeding.
So why are bale stacks so attractive to rodents, and what can you actually do to reduce the risk?
The answer isn’t simply changing the netwrap or twine you use. Rodent control starts with understanding what is attracting them in the first place.
Why do rodents go for bale stacks?
Rodents don’t chew through bale netwrap or twine because they’re looking for something to eat.
Their front teeth continue to grow throughout their lives, so they naturally need to gnaw to keep them worn down.
A bale stack can provide an ideal combination of food, warmth and shelter.
This is particularly relevant with straw bales, where residual grain can provide an attractive food source. The inside of a bale can also offer a warm, protected place for rodents to shelter or nest.
That helps explain why one stack can suffer considerable damage while another nearby remains relatively untouched.
In many cases, the surrounding environment and the cleanliness of the storage area are more important factors than the material used to tie or wrap the bale.
Can changing your baling twine help?
It’s a common question when rodents start attacking bales.
The short answer is not really.
– Natural fibre twine
Natural fibre twines such as sisal have historically been treated with various products intended to discourage rodents.
However, any repellent effect can be affected by exposure to weather, handling and time. Once the bales are stacked, it cannot be relied upon as a long-term solution to rodent damage.
– Synthetic twine
Polypropylene baling twine is not a food source for rodents and has no particular smell or taste that attracts them.
But that doesn’t make it rodent-proof.
If a rat wants to get into a bale, it will chew through whatever is in its way. The material itself isn’t the reason the rodent is there.
What about netwrap?
The same principle applies to netwrap.
Netwrap is made from polyethylene and is designed to hold the bale together during baling, handling and storage. It isn’t something rodents are attracted to as a food source.
But if a rodent wants to get inside a bale, it can chew through the net.
So, while choosing a good quality netwrap is important for bale integrity and performance, netwrap should not be considered a rodent control measure.
There is no binding material that can guarantee a bale will be protected from rodents if they are determined to get inside it.
What is really attracting the rodents?
If you’re seeing significant rodent activity around your bales, it’s worth looking beyond the bale itself.
Think about the whole storage area.
– Food sources
Spilled grain, feed and other food sources can quickly attract rodents.
Keeping storage areas clean and dealing with spills promptly can remove some of the incentive for rodents to stay.
– Shelter
Bale stacks provide an attractive place for rodents to hide and nest, particularly where they are left undisturbed for long periods.
Keeping surrounding areas tidy and removing unnecessary piles of materials can help reduce potential nesting sites.
– Access
Check buildings and storage areas for gaps, holes and other potential entry points.
Where practical, reducing access to feed stores and other attractive areas can make a significant difference.
A 'whole site' approach works best
There is no single product that will make a bale stack rodent proof.
Instead, effective rodent management involves looking at the wider farm environment.
Some practical steps include:
- Keep bale storage areas clean and tidy.
- Remove spilled grain and other potential food sources.
- Keep feed stores secure where possible.
- Check buildings for gaps and potential entry points.
- Monitor bale stacks regularly for signs of activity.
- Avoid creating unnecessary areas where rodents can shelter.
- Use approved rodent-control products and methods in accordance with their label and applicable Irish requirements.
- Consider an integrated approach rather than relying solely on rodenticides.
Irish guidance on rodenticide use, emphasises using approved products according to their conditions of use and incorporating rodent control into an integrated pest management approach.
What signs should you look for?
Early detection can make a big difference.
Keep an eye out for:
- Chewed or damaged netwrap and twine
- Holes appearing in bales
- Droppings around the storage area
- Nesting material
- Gnaw marks around buildings or storage areas
- Damaged feed bags or other stored materials
- Increased rodent activity around the stack
Regular checks can help identify a problem before it becomes a much bigger one.
Don't blame the twine or netwrap
When rodents damage a bale, it’s understandable to look at whatever has been chewed through and wonder whether a different product would solve the problem.
But the evidence points to a simpler explanation.
Rodents are interested in what’s inside and around the bale, not the twine or netwrap itself.
If they have access to food and shelter, they’ll chew through whatever stands between them and it.
That means changing from one type of baling material to another isn’t a substitute for proper rodent management.
Protect the bale. Manage the environment.
Good quality netwrap and twine play an important role in producing strong, well shaped bales and protecting forage during handling and storage.
But rodent control is a different job.
The best approach is to look at the whole storage environment: reduce food sources, limit opportunities for shelter, monitor activity and use appropriate, approved control methods where necessary.
By dealing with the causes rather than simply the material being chewed, farmers can give themselves a much better chance of keeping their forage protected.
And when it comes to choosing the right netwrap or twine for your baling operation, Tama is here to help.
