An Innovative Cholecalciferol Rodenticide Bait

Alternatives to anticoagulants have presented limitations in their use and/or efficacy. BASF have developed a non-anticoagulant rodenticide bait containing cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). A beneficial feature of cholecalciferol is that it is effective against all anticoagulant resistant strains of rats and mice and the development of resistance to cholecalciferol is unlikely. Laboratory studies with BASF’s cholecalciferol bait against anticoagulant resistant strains Y139F and L120Q resulted in 100% mortality within 4 days. This effectiveness has been further confirmed with field trials against Y139F and L120Q rats. In the past
cholecalciferol rodenticide baits have been less palatable (rat palatability ratios of below 1.0). The BASF cholecalciferol bait has been formulated to be palatable (rat palatability ratio above 4.0). Cholecalciferol is regarded as a subacute rodenticide and has a quicker mode of action compared to anticoagulants. The intrinsic properties of both cholecalciferol and the palatable BASF bait matrix result in a quicker time to individual rodent death, mean of 2 - 4 days in laboratory studies. Field trials have shown that 100% control is possible with only 7 days of baiting. Efficacy was demonstrated against Rattus norvegicus, Rattus rattus, Rattus exulans and Mus musculus including anticoagulant resistant strains.