Exploring the Significance of Formulation in Rodenticides: An Insight into Selontra Rodent Bait
When considering rodenticides or any pesticide, the selection process unfolds across multiple dimensions. It is crucial not only to scrutinize the active ingredient but also the formulation. Both facets—active ingredient and formulation—equally influence the efficacy of a product in managing a commensal rodent infestation. Let’s delve into these components and unravel why integrating Selontra® rodent bait into your program is a wise choice.
The active ingredient: The active ingredient is the pivotal element dictating the mode of action. Currently, rodent management revolves around active groups such as anticoagulants, which have faced ongoing regulatory restrictions. This underscores the necessity of diversifying the modes of action within your program. Such diversification provides invaluable alternatives to deal with infestations and ensures adaptability in the face of regulatory limitations.
The formulation: The formulation affects how the active ingredient is delivered. Common rodenticide formulations include blocks, pellets, liquids, and soft baits; the latter sometimes referred to as paste or soft blocks. Each registrant formulates their products differently. This is done through the pesticide form and the selection of inert ingredients such as food attractants.
Why should Selontra rodent bait be considered in your rodent management program?
The active ingredient (AI) in Selontra rodent bait is cholecalciferol, a non-anticoagulant compound. Unlike anticoagulants, cholecalciferol is naturally occurring within animals and possesses neither persistence nor bioaccumulation tendencies.1 When using Selontra rodent bait, cholecalciferol (the AI), causes affected rodents to cease feeding approximately 24 hours post-ingestion.2 Following consumption, rodents undergo metabolic conversion of cholecalciferol, leading to cessation of feeding, with mortality usually occurring within two to four days. Certain U.S. field trials even report mice appearing to succumb within 24 hours.3 Depending on infestation size and environmental factors, Selontra rodent bait can effectively control rodent populations in as little as seven days.3 Another key attribute of Selontra rodent bait is that the AI exhibits low risk for secondary poisoning in birds and mammals,4 with higher LD50 values compared to brodifacoum, difethialone, or bromadiolone.5 (Note: A higher LD50 value denotes lower toxicity.) This attribute has been important in locations where secondary risks are a concern.
The formulation of Selontra rodent bait is a soft block encased in a non-absorbent, odor-permeable polyolefin wrapper that boasts a patented design, ensuring palatability even in the presence of competitive food sources.4 An added enhancement hole facilitates secure placement in bait stations, minimizing the risk of displacement by rodents. Furthermore, a warning dye and the bittering agent, Bitrex®, deter human ingestion without compromising palatability to target rodents. Selontra rodent bait’s high melting point ensures bait integrity even in temperatures as high as 177°F,6 guaranteeing efficacy even in the hottest climates.
Selontra rodent bait is a proven solution for rodent management. In the steadfast commitment of pest management to protect public health, the imperative of consistently refining rodent control strategies cannot be overstated. BASF stands as a leader in innovation, offering pest management professionals not just products, but best-in-class solutions and unwavering technical support.
- Opinion on the application for renewal of the active substance cholecalciferol. ECHA/BOC/412/2024
- AI demonstrates stop-feed action after ingesting a lethal dose. Prescott, C.V., El-Amin, Vusa, and Smith, R.H.Calciferols and Bait Shyness in the Laboratory Rat. Proceedings of the Fifteenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1992.Paper 64
- U.S. Field Trials (Indiana Grain Farm, 2017; NC Pig Farm, 2016)
- http://www.npic.orst.edu/factsheets/rodenticides.html. Erickson, W.; Urban, D. Potential Risks of Nine Rodenticides to Birds and Nontarget Mammals: A Comparative Approach. U.S Environmental Protection Agency; Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances; Office of Pesticide Programs; U.S. Government Printing Office: Washington, DC, 2004
- CADPR: DPR-2013-SGAR-Memohttps://www.biologicaldiversity.org/ campaigns/pesticides reduction/pdfs/DPR-2013-SGAR-Memo.pdf
- Heat stress comparison against competitor products. Sharon Hughes, BASF-18005-R and LR010/18 2018.
Selontra is a registered trademark of BASF. Bitrex is a registered trademark of Veranova.
