Phostoxin
Mole, Rabbit & Rat Control
Why Use Phostoxin in Farming?
Phostoxin provides an effective alternative to traditional control methods for rabbits, moles and rats. Trapping, shooting and fencing are often used for rabbits and moles, but all are labour intensive. Other chemical methods have been banned and there has been very little in the way of chemical control for these pest species.
This lack of alternatives, especially for rabbits and moles, has led to an increased reliance on Phostoxin as a leading control method. For rats, there are a number of baits still available, but Phostoxin is the only non-anticoagulant poison for the control of rats.
This product is only for the control of rabbits, rats and moles in their burrows. Contents: approx. 30 x 3g tablets (approx. 90g) per flask. Sale is strictly controlled. Contains Aluminium phosphide.
Using Phostoxin
Download the Phostoxin Safety Data Sheet (126kb)
Phostoxin should only be used by professional, trained operators. Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use. Phostoxin is subject to the Poison Rules. Its sale is controlled by legislation and anyone purchasing Phostoxin will be required to make an entry in the Poisons Register.
Conditions of Sale
All persons wishing to buy Phostoxin must have either professional pest control training (for PCOs) or a DEFRA Agricultural Holding (CPH) Number (for professional agricultural use), and must have proof that they have been trained in the correct and safe use of aluminium phosphide. Please see our Phostoxin Training page for more information.
It is important to locate the areas in which the moles are “live” before treatment commences. A large number of mole hills gives the impression of many moles working in an area but often there is only one. It is important to recognise that the mole is a solitary animal and its workings are usually distinct from those of neighbouring animals. Walk over the area carefully and decide whether the mole hills form one or more groups of workings. This will tell you how many moles there are.
Remember that even heavy infestations contain only eight to ten moles per acre and in most instances there are fewer.
Within each group of workings (which may cover many square metres), find those mole hills made within the last 24 hours. There will probably be fewer than half-a-dozen. The biggest is not necessarily the most recent.
In dry weather conditions, moles may tunnel deeper in order to find moisture. It is important to realise this when probing for the runs, as those nearer the surface may not be in use; if tablets are inserted into them, the treatment may be ineffective.
Do not attempt to gas the shallow feeding tunnels, since these are rapidly abandoned and are not in permanent use.
As a general rule, gassing treatments against rabbits will be carried out most effectively during the months from October
to February. Numbers will then be at their lowest and burrow entrances will be easier to find amongst the sparse vegetation.
Earlier treatments may be required where autumn cereals are being heavily grazed.
Rats that infest farm buildings, poultry sheds and pig houses can often be found living in nearby burrows. Bankings, hedgerows and overgrown vegetation all provide ideal sites for rats to create burrows, from which they can spread to the surrounding buildings.
While gassing is unlikely to provide the complete solution to any rat infestation, it can be a valuable method of reducing the size of a rat population quickly, following which rodenticide baits can be used more effectively to control the remaining population.
Further Information on Phostoxin
Phostoxin comes in handy-sized aluminium flasks containing 30 tablets. Phostoxin and Phostoxin Applicators are stocked by specialist distributors nationwide.
For more information, download our
Phostoxin user guide leaflet (pdf).
Phostoxin - Labels
The latest label can be downloaded here in original format, and a larger print format, for easy viewing, can be downloaded here.
The Phostoxin Applicator label can be viewed here.
Health & Safety - Phostoxin
Always read the product label and Phostoxin safety data sheet, available from stockists and Rentokil Products, before working with Phostoxin. Health & Safety is of paramount importance when using Phostoxin. Strict requirements and regulations must be obeyed during a Phostoxin treatment. It is an offence not to comply. Rentokil can provide you with more health & safety information on Phostoxin.
Training - Phostoxin
All users of Phostoxin must at first receive the correct and necessary training to ensure all health & safety requirements will be met during treatment. Rentokil can provide a list of organisations, who are able to provide this necessary training. We can also provide basic information on how to use Phostoxin correctly.
