Page 36 - ALG Issue 2 2022

Slug control and pellet use
In March 2021 the distribution of metaldehyde Slug Pellets was banned for use in outdoor situations and a 12-month period allowed to use up any remaining stocks that allotment shops or gardeners held. From 1st April
2022 it was illegal to sell or use metaldehyde products. This means that allotment shops and plotholders must now dispose of any remaining pellets. Because these products pose a danger to pets and birds, they must be disposed of in their original container at
a licenced local authority waste site. You can find your nearest site at this link. https:// gardenchemicaldisposal.co.uk/
Ferric (iron) phosphate pellets are legal and approved for organic use but must be used sparingly as the chelating agents that they contain (in order for the ferric phosphate to
be absorbed by the slugs) can also affect earthworms. The iron phosphate affects the calcium metabolism in the gut system of snails and slugs causing them to stop feeding and die within three to six days. Always follow the instructions on the product label.
Research by the RHS and Which Gardening has found that the most effective way of reducing slug numbers is by using slug pellets; they both report limited success with traditional barrier methods such as crushed eggshells etc. An effective but pricey method is the use
of a nematode called
Phasmarhabditis
hermaphrodita which
kills small slugs in the soil, but not snails. It can be bought online, and the contents of the pack need to be mixed with water and applied to the soil with a watering can. Slugs will be controlled for up to 6 weeks, after which re-application is often necessary.
You can also reduce slug numbers by collecting and disposing of the slugs and snails, either
by hunting them at night when they are more active or checking under slabs and other dark, damp areas where they might congregate during the day. Slug traps using beer have also been reported to be effective – use a shallow container inserted into the soil, leaving a 2cm rim that will prevent beneficial insects such as ground beetles from drowning too.
Young plants with soft green growth are vulnerable to slug attack. You can protect these with bottle cloches, water bottles with the bottom removed, until they are strong enough to withstand the odd nibble. Other barrier methods are rings of grit or eggshells etc. around particular plants. Some gardeners use bran or oats to distract the slugs before they get to the plant; the slugs eat this and swell up, then hopefully are eaten by other predators. There are natural sprays available and recipes
for home-made garlic spray that makes leaves unpalatable to molluscs.
Making sure that your plot is a place that is beneficial to creatures, that feed on slugs, such as ground beetles, frogs, toads, hedgehogs, and birds, would like to visit; this will also help to keep slugs under control. Create wildlife habitats such as a small pond area (child safe) to encourage amphibians and avoid using chemical sprays etc. However, some slugs are beneficial - the cellar slugs and leopard slug are detritivores and only feed on decaying plant material.
Be sure to wash your hands if you do handle slugs and, if their slime is apparent on your fruit and vegetables, wash before you or your dog consume them. Slugs carry lungworm, which is becoming more of a problem in the UK, especially for dogs – Lungworm.co.uk.
There is no easy answer to the issue of
slugs and snails attacking your crops. A combination of barrier/collection methods with an occasional sparse application of slug pellets is probably the best way forward. Along with only planting out strong young plants and encouraging beneficial wildlife.
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