Launched to the market by BASF at the end of 2020 following 10-plus years of intensive research and development, the company said Selontra, the first-of-its-kind cholecalciferol bait block, has transformed the way professionals tackle infestations, becoming a global benchmark for fast, efficient, and sustainable rodent control.
Since its launch, Selontra has been registered and adopted in many countries across the world, with a growth in sales in excess of 200% here in the UK over the past couple of years, cementing its place as one of the most trusted tools in professional pest control.
A decade of development
The journey to Selontra’s success began more than a decade before its commercial launch, when BASF’s scientists set out to create a faster, more sustainable alternative to traditional anticoagulant rodenticides. Over the course of 10-plus years, the team experimented with more than sixty different formulations and conducted over thirty field trials to perfect the balance between palatability, efficacy, and stability.
Early prototypes using 500 ppm and 600 ppm concentrations of cholecalciferol showed encouraging results in laboratory conditions but achieved only partial success in the field. Through persistent refinement and testing, BASF’s researchers determined that increasing the concentration to 750 ppm was essential for delivering consistent and rapid control in real-world conditions.
Alongside this, the formulation was enhanced to protect the active ingredient within the bait matrix, ensuring long-term stability and maintaining potency in both high and low temperatures. This breakthrough not only extended the bait’s shelf life to five years but also guaranteed reliable performance under the varied environmental conditions pest professionals face.
The result of this long development process was a rodenticide that redefined expectations: a highly palatable, fast-acting, and environmentally responsible solution that gives pest controllers the power to tackle infestations quickly and effectively.
Fast, effective, and sustainable
Selontra continues to stand out with its combination of technical excellence and practical advantages. It delivers fast colony control, resolving infestations in as little as seven days. The highly palatable formulation ensures rodents choose the bait even when other food sources are available, while its unique “stop-feed” effect prevents wastage once a lethal dose has been consumed.
Because Selontra is a non-anticoagulant rodenticide, it remains effective against anticoagulant-resistant rodents, breaking the resistance cycle that has challenged pest controllers for decades. Cholecalciferol’s natural breakdown profile means it has low environmental persistence and a reduced risk of secondary poisoning, supporting more responsible pest management.
What professionals say
“Compared to the many formulations I have used over my 20 years in the industry, the palatability, consumption and success rates of Selontra® far exceed any expectations I had” – Damien Lane, DJL Pest Solutions
“Selontra has proved to be a brilliant product – I was amazed at how quickly bait uptake occurred and how rapidly the infestation was brought to a halt.” – James Tennent, Eraserpest Pest Control
“I’ve been in this industry for 32 years and I now use Selontra on 98% of my jobs – it works wonderfully. The key benefit for me was the palatability!” – Lindsay Silvester, Advanced Pest Management
“The speed at which Selontra controlled the infestation was incredible. Seven days after laying the bait there were no more rats! It was very, very satisfying” – Chris Venables, Venables Pest Control
“We achieved complete control within 10 days, proving that Selontra is both highly palatable and highly effective. That meant we could invoice the client swiftly, increase our quotations based on the high effectiveness, and move on the next site faster!” – John Tomes, Amicus Environmental Services
Celebrating Selontra’s success
To celebrate the milestone, BASF will launch an exclusive anniversary promotion in partnership with Killgerm, its UK distribution partner, rewarding loyal users and introducing new customers to the power of Selontra.
Throughout November, pest technicians can receive two free tubs of Monitoring Paste with every two 8kg tubs of Selontra purchased, or one free tub of Monitoring Paste for every two 3kg tubs of Selontra purchased.
Visitors to PestTech on November 5, 2025, can join BASF on stand for further celebrations.
The BASF team would also like to hear from pest control professionals who have used Selontra over the past five years to tackle tricky or challenging jobs. If you have a Selontra success story you’d like to share, email [email protected].
