Case Study: Rapid Rat Control in a School Environment with Selontra®

Jake Glass, owner of FurBeGone Pest Control, shares his experience using Selontra® to control a significant rat infestation at a school site.

• Sensitive environment: Rodent activity identified across a school campus
• Estimated infestation: 50+ rats across internal and external areas
• High bait uptake: Strong acceptance during the first week
• Fast results: Full control achieved within 2–3 weeks across four visits

Jake Glass owner of FurBeGone Pest Control for over seven years has experienced and managed rodent infestations across domestic, commercial and agricultural environments. His work frequently involves sensitive locations, including schools, public buildings and farms, where pest control must balance effective results with environmental and safety considerations.   

Rodent Activity Across a School Site

Jake was called to investigate a rat infestation at a school in Hertfordshire. The site included bin stores, kitchen areas, plant rooms and external grounds, with the layout and availability of food sources creating favourable conditions for rodents.

During the initial inspection, multiple indicators confirmed a well-established infestation. These included:

• Frequent droppings
• Gnaw damage to structures and materials
• Smear marks along walls and service routes
• Rat sightings reported by staff
• Well-established runs and burrows around bin storage areas

Based on the level of activity recorded during the inspection, Jake estimated the infestation to involve more than 50 rats across the site.

“Sites like schools require rapid action,” Jake explains. “You need a solution that works quickly but is still appropriate for a sensitive environment.”

 

Strategic Baiting in Restricted Areas

Before beginning treatment, Jake carried out a full site survey and Environmental Risk Assessment to determine the most appropriate control strategy.

Selontra® was deployed using secure, tamper-resistant bait stations, positioned externally and in restricted service areas where pupils could not access them.

This approach ensured that the rodenticide was delivered effectively to the rat population while maintaining a safe environment for staff, pupils and non-target wildlife.

 

Why Selontra®

Jake selected Selontra® because it contains Cholecalciferol, a non-anticoagulant active ingredient. This makes it particularly suitable for use in sensitive environments, while also supporting responsible resistance management. Selontra® is non-persistent in the environment and non-bioaccumulative. This means it significantly reduces the risk of non-target poisoning compared to other rodenticides. When a rodent consumes the bait, the active ingredient, cholecalciferol, causes it to stop feeding and more often than not, retreat to its burrow to die, rather than remaining out in the open.

The product’s unique formulation also encourages rapid bait uptake and can help reduce rodent populations quickly, an important factor when dealing with infestations in high-visibility public environments.

 

Strong Bait Acceptance and Rapid Control

At the start of the treatment programme, approximately 2 kg of bait was placed across the site.

Within the first few days, Jake recorded high bait consumption, signalling strong acceptance by the rat population. At subsequent follow-up visits, bait take dropped significantly as the rodent population declined.

Across four site visits, the infestation was brought fully under control within two to three weeks.

“Strong bait acceptance and a rapid reduction in activity were clear within the first week,” Jake says. “It gave me confidence we were quickly getting on top of the problem.”

 

Reliable Results in Sensitive Settings

For pest professionals working in environments such as schools, effective control must be achieved quickly while maintaining high safety standards.

Jake notes that Selontra® proved both effective and appropriate for the site’s requirements.

“Selontra® performed exactly how I needed it to. It allowed me to manage a challenging infestation in a sensitive setting and regain control of the site quickly,” he explains.

“The successful treatment ultimately led to me getting a long-term pest management contract with the school.”

“I now use Selontra® across many of my contracts, from farms to schools. It’s a product I can rely on when I need fast, effective control.”

To find out more about Selontra®, or to browse the entire range of pest control products visit the BASF Pest Control Solutions website at https://www.pestcontrol.basf.co.uk/en/Products/Overview/Rodenticides/