Think Wildlife: Our Commitment to the CRRU Code of Practice
At Mole Management, we believe that protecting your home from pests should never mean putting your family, your pets, or our local wildlife at risk.
That is why our entire rodent control process is governed by the strict guidelines set out by the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU), operating under the national “Think Wildlife” banner.
Why Does CRRU Exist?
For decades, rat and mouse poisons (rodenticides) were used freely and often irresponsibly across the UK. People would routinely scatter poison in open areas or leave it down permanently “just in case.”
This led to a devastating environmental crisis: secondary poisoning. Natural predators—such as Barn Owls, Kestrels, foxes, and even domestic cats and dogs—were suffering fatal consequences after hunting and eating rodents that had consumed these poisons.
To stop this from happening, the government and the pest management industry created CRRU. The CRRU Code of Best Practice is a strict, legally backed framework designed to ensure rodenticides are used only when absolutely necessary, and only by heavily regulated, certified professionals.
The Danger of Uncertified, DIY Treatments
Because of CRRU stewardship, UK law now heavily restricts rodenticides. Untrained individuals and DIYers can only legally purchase “half-strength,” amateur-grade baits from hardware stores.
Unfortunately, these weak baits are causing an entirely new problem: Genetic Resistance. Feeding rodents weak poison often fails to kill them. Instead, they survive, breed, and pass on an immunity to the bait, creating populations of highly resistant “super rats.”
As certified CRRU professionals, we have legal access to full-strength, professional-grade treatments. This means when we do need to use rodenticides, we clear the infestation swiftly and humanely, without contributing to local resistance.
How We Work Within CRRU Guidance
Being CRRU-compliant means we never just “throw poison down.” We operate using a strict Hierarchy of Control. When you hire Mole Management, you are guaranteed a treatment plan that follows these exact ethical and legal steps:
1. Comprehensive Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) Before any treatment begins, we assess your property and its surroundings. Do you have a dog that loves to dig? Are there badgers, hedgehogs, or birds of prey in your area? We identify all non-target species and tailor our entire approach to ensure they remain 100% safe.
2. Proofing and Prevention First (Chemical-Free Control) Under CRRU guidance, poison is always the last resort. Our primary goal is to find out why rodents are there in the first place. By physically blocking their entry points (using drain bungs, rat flaps, or sealing cavity walls) and advising on food source removal, we can often solve the problem without ever needing to use chemicals.
3. Trapping & Non-Toxic Monitoring If active control is required, we prioritize heavy-duty trapping and non-toxic tracking blocks. This allows us to monitor exactly where the rodents are traveling and target them directly, keeping chemical use to an absolute minimum.
4. Highly Controlled, Targeted Baiting If a threat to public health means professional rodenticides are strictly necessary, they are deployed under rigorous safety protocols:
- Tamper-Resistant Stations: Bait is never left loose. It is secured inside heavy-duty, lockable stations that children and pets cannot open.
- No “Permanent” Baiting: We do not leave poison at your property permanently. We only bait for the duration of the active infestation.
- Targeted Placement: Baits are only placed in safe, restricted zones (like locked lofts or sub-floor voids) where larger wildlife cannot access them.
5. Safe Carcass Removal A critical part of preventing secondary poisoning is removing the source. During our scheduled follow-up visits, we conduct thorough searches to locate and safely dispose of any rodent carcasses before local wildlife or pets can find them. Once the treatment is successful, all remaining bait and equipment is completely removed from your property.
Effective Pest Control with a Conscience
You don’t have to choose between eradicating a rat infestation and protecting the environment. By hiring a CRRU-certified technician, you get the most effective, legal, and environmentally responsible pest control available.
Do you need a professional, wildlife-safe pest solution? 📞 Call Steve on 0800 610 1158