Biocidal formulations that include a selenium compound selected from the group consisting of RSeH, RSeR, RseR, RSeSeR, RseSeR, and RseX, wherein each of R and R is an aliphatic or phenolic residue, and wherein X is a protecting group selected from the group consisting of a halogen, an imide, a cyanide, an azide, a phosphate, a sulfate, a nitrate, a carbonate, selenium dioxide, and combinations thereof, are provided. The selenium compounds may be disposed in a mixture or solution or deposited on a surface and non- covalently attached thereto, or the selenium compounds may be present in a suspension and maintained therein through non-covalent interactions. Methods for preventing growth of a species of interest on an object or in a composition are also provided.
