Race against the rodents – Using BASF Monitoring Paste to prevent infestation at a popular UK racetrack

Anthony Rowe, Technical Operations Manager of OMNI Integrated Property Services , was called to a popular race circuit and tourist attraction following the uptake of Monitoring Paste around one of the many eatery areas. Here, we discover how Anthony used the award-winning cholecalciferol rodenticide, Selontra^® , to tackle the problem and keep the site pest-free.

• Rodents eradicated before an infestation could establish

• 3 bait stations with 300 grams of Selontra^®

• Ongoing use of Monitoring Paste for early detection

• Complete control in fewer than eight days

The Challenge

Anthony has been responsible for the pest management programme at one of the UK's most popular race tracks and tourist attraction for two years. The expansive site consists of around 30 buildings, including warehouses, food storage facilities, and food outlets, so there is ample opportunity for food sources and harbourage. As part of his rigorous integrated pest management programme, Anthony had been using Monitoring Paste to detect early signs of rodent activity around the site. He began noticing evidence of uptake which was later confirmed when a staff member reported a rat sighting near the food area.

“The food outlets supply fast food like burgers, hot dogs, and chips, so the scent of highly attractive food sources is a likely reason for rodent activity in this area, whereas the other areas have had little to no issues. The eateries are not always in operation - only on race days - so I had been using Monitoring Paste to keep an eye on any activity throughout the off-peak season.”

Monitoring Paste is an essential tool for early-stage rodent detection, it can help prevent an infestation from establishing and alert pest controllers to evidence of rodent activity, allowing a quick and effective response time. Once signs of uptake are visible, and the Monitoring Paste has been consumed, a toxic bait like Selontra® should be replenished in these areas to regain control and prevent further infestation.

“Our last visit showed signs of uptake, and shortly afterward, activity was confirmed when a member of staff had reported a rat sighting, so we changed the non-toxic paste to Selontra®.”

As the bait was being placed in a food and hospitality area, it is important that Anthony used a HACCP-approved rodenticide, meaning it can be used safely in places where food is handled and prepared. Selontra® was certified as HACCP-approved in 2021, making it the ideal choice thanks to its high palatability and effective results.

The Result

Anthony stocked three secure bait boxes with 100g of Selontra® around the area where activity had been detected.

“Before our next visit, we had already received a call to say a dead rat had been found near the third box. Once I had got to the site, I saw that the first two boxes were completely empty, yet the third was still full. This suggested that the uptake from Monitoring Paste to Selontra® was immediate, which allowed me to regain control at a much quicker pace than if I had used another monitoring product or none at all.”

Rodents are notorious for being wary of new objects in their environment, so putting a rodenticide down when early activity is detected can result in a delayed take. By using monitoring baits, rodents in the area will become more familiar with the object, reducing neophobia when the monitoring baits are replaced with rodenticide, should a chemical control method be required.

Monitoring Paste by BASF features a non-toxic soft block formulation that is based on the highly palatable, award-winning rodenticide Selontra®, with the active and dye taken out.

Using a monitoring block that has a sister toxic product, like Monitoring Paste, will ensure you get rapid control if an issue occurs. In all of BASF’s testing and field trails, there was instant uptake from rats and mice when Monitoring Paste was switched to Selontra® as the rodents assumed it was the exact same food source.

“I then replenished the two bait stations with a further 100 grams in each, and since then no more bait has been taken - suggesting complete control was gained in fewer than eight days. After this, no further activity was found, and no further evidence to suggest more rats may be present. So, non-toxic Monitoring Paste has been replenished in all stations to keep on top of any potential activity and enable us to keep control of the site.”

Information: Use biocide products carefully. Always read the label and product information before use.