04 Apr Case Study: Responsible Pest Control on Shropshire Farms
In rural Shropshire, pest control officer at APM Ltd., Lindsay Silvester, has been working on farms for over three decades, combining hands-on expertise with a commitment to protecting both agricultural businesses and the environment. His experiences show how adopting responsible pest control practices can deliver results that benefit everyone, from farmers to wildlife.
Lindsay’s career in pest control began in 1991, and over three decades later, his enthusiasm remains undimmed. “I love my job as much today as when I started. It’s about meeting people, solving problems, and respecting nature – even when I’m controlling it,” he says. This respect underpins his approach, as he balances the need for effective rodent management with the environmental impact of his methods, and the broader mission to stop the spread of disease and safeguard public health.
Much of the work that Lindsay carries out is on farms, and over the years, has observed how the shift to larger-scale farming has impacted rodent control. “Smaller farms seem to have disappeared in our area, and larger farms are busier than ever. Farmers and farm workers don’t always have time to deal with rodents, and that’s where I come in. They trust me to get the job done, safely and effectively.”
Lindsay approaches each case with the mindset of a detective. “No two farms are the same,” he explains. “To do the job properly, you have to think like a rat – identify where they’re finding food, water, and shelter, and target those areas precisely.”
One farm Lindsay worked on illustrates how strategic pest control can make all the difference. A large poultry farm with over 360,000 chickens had been struggling with an infestation that threatened both animal welfare and productivity. “They were at risk of disease spreading and losing birds,” Lindsay recalls.
Instead of deploying large amounts of bait, Lindsay’s approach was methodical. “It wasn’t about quantity; it was about precision,” he says. By observing rodent activity and targeting entry points, Lindsay reduced the infestation to manageable levels without the indiscriminate use of poisons.
But when rodenticides are required, Lindsay points to those that prioritise safety for the wider ecosystem. “I’ve seen a huge shift with the introduction of cholecalciferol-based products,” he explains. “This generation of rodenticides, with a different mode of action to SGARs, can have a lower risk for non-target species when considering secondary poisoning. A rat can ingest it, but its ability to pass through the food chain to harm birds of prey or other wildlife is significantly lower. With that said, primary poisoning is still a threat, and I take great care to ensure that bait is sufficiently protected to avoid accidental poisoning.”
Acknowledging their higher upfront cost, Lindsay advocates for the long-term value of such products. “Customers often focus on the price per kilo,” he says, “But when you use them properly, you need far less product to get the same – or better – results.”
With that said, it’s clear that Lindsay’s ethos is cemented in using rodenticides – whatever the active ingredient – as part of a broader strategy, not the first or only solution. “You have to exhaust all other options first,” Lindsay says. “That’s where good pest control starts – with observation, strategy, and minimal intervention.”
In fact, his Jack Russell terrier, Jack, has become an integral part of his toolkit. “Jack’s amazing at getting to rats in places where bait isn’t suitable, like hay bales near livestock. On one farm, he caught 39 rats in a single day. It’s quick, effective, and there’s no risk to the environment.”
For Lindsay, pest control isn’t just about solving problems – it’s about preventing them in the first place and doing his bit to educate. A common issue he encounters is poor grain storage on farms. “When farmers store grain directly on the floor, it’s like ringing the dinner bell for rats. It’s not just a pest problem; it’s a contamination risk,” he says.
Convincing farmers to invest in proper storage solutions can be an uphill battle. “I get it – steel bins aren’t cheap. But I always tell them, ‘If your grain isn’t being spoiled by rats, you’re saving money in the long run.’”
One farmer finally took Lindsay’s advice after years of nudging. “He’d been working in the same mess for decades, and it wasn’t until he cleared things up that he realised how much of a difference it made. That kind of lightbulb moment is what makes this work so rewarding.”
By working with farmers, rather than just solving problems for them, Lindsay empowers them to take a more proactive role in preventing infestations. “It’s about education. Once farmers understand the bigger picture, and the duty they have to protect public health as a food producer, they’re more willing to make the changes that matter.”
Lindsay believes the pest control industry is at a crossroads. “Rodents aren’t going anywhere, but the way we deal with them needs to be smarter and more responsible. If we misuse the range of products currently available to us, we risk losing them altogether,” he warns. “And that’s a loss for everyone, not just the pest control industry.”
One key influence on Lindsay’s career has been the work of the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU). “CRRU made me think differently about pest control. They opened my eyes to how poisons can travel through the food chain, even via slugs and snails, and harm wildlife. That’s why I’m so committed to using these tools carefully and in line with the Code of Best Practice – it’s about protecting farms and minimising the exposure to humans and non-target species.
Lindsay sees CRRU as an important voice in shaping the future of pest control. “They’re not trying to make our jobs harder – they’re helping us do them better. Thanks to their work, I’ve changed how I approach pest control, and it’s made a real difference to my results and the impact on the environment.”
For Lindsay, the key to success is collaboration. “We’re all part of the same ecosystem. When we work smarter and more sustainably, we don’t just solve today’s problems – we ensure a better future for farms, wildlife, the public, and pest control.”