Molluscicide

Pesticide used to kill molluscs

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

A number of chemicals can be employed as a molluscicide:

  • Metal salts such as iron(III) phosphate, aluminium sulfate, and ferric sodium EDTA,[3][4] relatively non-toxic, most are approved for use in organic gardening
  • Metaldehyde[5]
  • Niclosamide
  • Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (e.g. methiocarb), highly toxic to other animals and humans, acts also as a contact poison

Accidental poisonings

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]

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.

External links

  • Overview of potential piscicides and molluscicides for controlling aquatic pest species in New Zealand [1]
  • National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) Information about pesticide-related topics.
    • Get Rid of Slugs and Snails, Not Puppy Tails! Case Profile - National Pesticide Information Center
    • Slugs and Snails - National Pesticide Information Center
  • Snail bait and dogs
  • Snail Bait Poisoning
  • in the Garden Safety in the Garden
  • Metaldehyde toxicity
  • Iron phosphate: The first honestly effective snail & slug bait