Rats in the NFT: Rodents, Risks and Hydroponic Safety
Dr. Russell Sharp of Utrema discusses a striking Facebook post—an AI image of rat droppings on an NFT lettuce system—and asks whether rodents are a real threat in hydroponics.
The episode covers the main risks rodents pose: disease transmission (salmonella, leptospirosis, hantavirus), contamination of recirculating fertigation solutions, crop damage, and quality/safety losses.
Practical control advice is offered using an integrated pest management approach: seal entry points, install fine mesh on vents, reduce outdoor hiding spots, use traps (preferred over poisons), monitor and keep pest…
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