Impacts of rodents in piggeries in Australia - review and pilot impact study

Research on the impacts of rodents in Australian piggeries has been limited. While rodent impacts are often assumed, the economic impacts and management costs are not well measured. Although the disease risk is relatively well-known, regular assessments are lacking. This review and pilot study aimed to assess existing knowledge on rodent impacts and conduct a small pilot study to gather information on their rodent problems, economic impacts, and challenges faced. The goal was to develop management strategies without relying on rodenticides. Piggery owners' main concerns about rodents include (i) disease transmission to pigs, (ii) physical damage to structures and machinery, (iii) accidental ingestion of rodenticides, (iv) control operation costs, and (v) competition for food. The potential overall cost of rodents to a piggery averaged AUD$100 000 per year (range AUD$10 000-$250 000 depending on the severity). Effective management strategies should include (1) prioritising rodent management, (2) habitat management, (3) rodenticide control, (4) physical management, (5) alternative control methods, (6) maintaining overall piggery hygiene and cleanliness, and (7) improved monitoring. There is an urgent need to better understand the ecology of pest species in piggery environments, as well as their disease and physical impacts, to develop effective management strategies and raise awareness about the importance of rodent management. © 2025 Commonwealth of Australia. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.