Slug Control Methods

[Claire_Price_HAU]

Greetings from Harper Adams University!

The SLIMERS project encourages all farmer trialists to continue with existing slug control methods when conducting on-farm monitoring to enable scientists to understand the different outcomes of different methods. We can then see how to apply this to the development of the autonomous slug control as part of the project.

How do you currently control slugs on your farm? Has this changed in recent years and if so, why?

Have you tried biological control agents such as nematodes or predatory beetles to control slugs (or other pests)? What were the results? If you havent used them, would you be interested to?

What chemical treatments have you found most effective against slugs? What are the pros and cons of using them?

Are there any areas in slug control that you think need further exploration?

Do you take any preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of slug infestations?

 

[CORK]

If I expect high slug pressure in a given field (following WOSR, following beans etc), I will check slug numbers by examining the soil surface by night using a light. If present, they will most likely be quite visible on the surface.

If relatively high numbers of slugs are observed, I will apply a 75% rate of slug pellets approx 7 days before any ploughing begins. I have found this approach to be very successful as you are removing slugs before they get buried or mixed through the soil profile. With slugs removed, you should then only have to worry about young slugs that will hatch from eggs some time after sowing. Therefore, the seeds have a chance to germinate before any further threat emerges.

I will also use shallow cultivation with a disc harrow after harvest to dry out the top soil surface, therefore desiccating slugs and their eggs.

Rolling following planting is useful but soil conditions don't usually allow this.

I do not have a whole pile of time for beetles and other beneficial insects as if slug numbers are high enough, I don't believe any biological approach will be able to do enough.

 

[Yapter]

I agree. Whilst beetles may have a significant effect in natural systems, I think we have to acknowledge that our current farming systems are way short of the kind of ecological diversity balance needed for the degree of control that we require.
I have personally had success with heavy flat grassland rolling after sowing, straw raking and well timed cultivations as well as pre application of slug bait in suitable conditions when adult slugs are feeding strongly prior to drilling