Rodents consume food in the field as well as in storage. Their contamination of stored food and ability to spread diseases causes them to cut across both the natural resources and health sectors. Research in Mozambique and in South Africa found that people have little understanding of the ecology of rodents. To control them they usually resort to rodenticides, used in inappropriate and inefficient manners. In South Africa, a company is now manufacturing an improved yet affordable trap. A policy change has been enacted, which should lead to higher standards amongst Pest Control Officers.