Molluscicide

Molluscicides (/məˈlʌskɪˌsaɪds, -ˈlʌs-/)[1][2] – also known as snail baits, snail pellets, or slug pellets – are pesticides against molluscs, which are usually used in agriculture or gardening, in order to control gastropod pests specifically slugs and snails which damage crops or other valued plants by feeding on them.

Metaldehyde pellets
"slug bait" redirects here. For the Throbbing Gristle song, see The Second Annual Report.
Dead snails around a plant protected by blue metaldehyde pellets

A number of chemicals can be employed as a molluscicide:

Accidental poisonings
Main article: Pesticide poisoning

Metal salt-based molluscicides are not that toxic to higher animals. However, metaldehyde-based and especially acetylcholinesterase inhibitor-based products are and have resulted in many deaths of pets and humans. Some products contain a bittering agent that reduces but does not eliminate the risk of accidental poisoning. Anticholinergic drugs such as atropine can be used as an antidote for acetylcholinesterase inhibitor poisoning. There is no antidote for metaldehyde, the treatment is symptomatic.

Slug pellets contain a carbohydrate source (e.g. durum flour) as a bulking agent.[6] Some animals are attracted to slug pellets due to the carbohydrate content and this can increase the risk of non-target poisoning. Recently liquid iron (III) phosphate products have been developed that do not contain the carbohydrate source.[7]

See also

References
  1. "Molluscicide". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 2020-03-22.
  2. "molluscicide". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
  3. "Sodium Ferric Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) (139114) Fact Sheet" (PDF).
  4. "New Bait Available for Slugs & Snails" (PDF).
  5. Support, Extension Web (2008-02-25). "Less toxic iron phosphate slug bait proves effective". Extension Communications. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  6. Magazine, C. P. M. (2018-06-06). "Tech Talk - Effective slug control". cpm magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  7. Russell (2023-06-30). "Introducing Slugger: The Innovative Solution to Controlling Slugs and Snails". Eutrema. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
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