Case Study: Rapid rodent control achieved in free-range poultry unit after switching to Selontra^®

John Jorsta, an experienced pest control technician and business owner in the South East, shares how Selontra^® delivered rapid and effective rodent control on a heavily infested free-range egg production site.

• Estimated up to 200 rats present at start of treatment

• Infestation could not be controlled with anticoagulants

• Complete control achieved within 7 days after switching to Selontra^®

• Significant bait consumption observed within 24 hours

• Over 50 rats removed during peak activity

About the Pest Technician

With nearly three decades of experience in the pest control industry, John Jorsta has worked across the South East of the UK since 1996. His career includes roles as a field technician and Area Supervisor at leading national pest control provider, Rentokil, before establishing his own independent business in 2016. His expertise spans agricultural, commercial, and rural pest management, with a strong focus on effective, practical solutions tailored to challenging environments.

A Persistent Infestation in Free-Range Conditions

One of John’s first clients was a free-range egg producer operating three mobile chicken sheds across a 10-acre site. The nature of the setup presented a persistent rodent issue: the sheds had open bases to allow mobility and offered ideal harbourage for rats.

John commented: “The site had an ongoing rat problem. Staff were observing live rats daily when they collected the eggs, highlighting the scale of the infestation - I estimated around 200 rats were present.”

To tackle the problem, John initially installed 50 tethered, tamper-proof bait stations using anticoagulant rodenticides, however, results were inconsistent. While neophobia was not a barrier, the presence of other food sources such as chicken feed, which was readily consumed by the rats, as well as issues with suspected anticoagulant resistance in the area, meant control was extremely challenging.

He said: “Neophobia wasn’t the issue, as rodents were readily taking the bait I had placed, so there was clearly an issue significantly reducing the efficacy of anticoagulants.”

From Anticoagulants to Cholecalciferol-Based Control

John recognised that anticoagulants wouldn’t provide an effective long-term solution due to the presence of chicken feed on site, John comments: “typically rich in Vitamin K, chicken feed can act as an antidote to anticoagulant rodenticides, reducing their efficacy”. When the revolutionary rodenticide Selontra® entered the market, John was quick to seize the opportunity to trial it.

“As soon as BASF launched Selontra^® a few years later, I completed the online exam and ordered my first tub, with the chicken farm in mind for a speed baiting treatment,” he explained.

All existing anticoagulant baits were removed, and as many active burrows as possible were closed. Each of the 50 bait stations was then loaded with seven blocks of Selontra^®, totalling 350 blocks across the site.

Within 24 hours, bait uptake was evident, with rats readily consuming the bait, and population numbers notably declined thanks to the rodenticide’s unique stop-feed effect. John revisited the site daily, replenishing bait and closing newly opened burrows to maintain pressure on the population.

By the second and third visits, approximately 75% of the bait had been consumed between inspections, and a significant number of dead rats were recovered. John commented “We collected at least 50 dead rats in one day during the peak – the efficacy and speed of results were impressive!”

Complete Control Within Seven Days

A clear and rapid decline in rat activity was observed within days. Feeding levels began to drop, no new burrows were detected, and the number of dead rodents reduced significantly.

By day seven, bait uptake had ceased entirely, and no further signs of live or dead rats were recorded across all three chicken sheds.

The site owner and staff reported a complete absence of live sightings for several consecutive days, alongside the noticeable presence of dead rodents during the treatment phase - clear evidence of the product’s effectiveness.

Following John’s successful control programme with Selontra^®, he was able to transition the site to a fortnightly non-toxic monitoring programme, with follow-up “speed baiting” treatments deployed only as required.

“It really is an excellent product!” John remarked.

To find out more about Selontra^®, or to browse the full range of pest control products, visit the BASF Pest Control Solutions website here

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