BASF have released Storm Ultra Secure, a brand-new rodenticide which will be available from now.

The product contains 25 parts per million (ppm) of the active substance flocoumafen and will be available in a variety of sizes to professional users and farmers, as well as the general public.

Rodents consume and spoil stored produce, spread disease to humans and livestock, attack growing crops and damage buildings, but preparing storage facilities on farms requires planning and an integrated pest management approach.

Resistance is only one factor in the efficacy of a rodenticide as palatability is equally important as the strength of the active is irrelevant if the rodent is not attracted to eat the product.

In laboratory trials conducted by BASF, rats were offered the choice between a controlled nontoxic food source and Storm Ultra Secure. The results showed that some rats chose to consume high quantities of the product even when non-toxic food was available.

Palatability is measured by the amount of the rodenticide consumed divided by the amount of the controlled diet consumed. The standard for most block baits range between 0.5 and 1.5.

In tests with Storm Ultra Secure, BASF recorded quantities as high as 11.3 being consumed by rats and even the lowest levels were at least 2. This shows that the rats were consuming at least twice the normal dosage.

This proven palatability demonstrates that the new 25ppm bait is more effective than many 50ppm baits currently on the market, said BASF.

While it is clear that rodents will continue to adapt, none have built a resistance or tolerance to the flocoumafen active in Storm.