Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helix_(gastropod)
S
nail activity is triggered in autumn by rainfall
and cool moist conditions. Using a long lasting weather-resistant bait such as Sluggem,
Slugger or Sluggit is the foundation of an effective snail management programme.
Article by Arnold du
Preez
need to be controlled, the use of Sluggit is recommended.
The smaller pellet size of Sluggem, Slugger and Sluggit
cover a greater area and are most reliable when temperatures are warm, or following rain when snails and slugs
are active. It is important not to water heavily for at least
Mating starts about two to three weeks after the first authree or four days after bait placement; watering will retumn rain. Snails are hermaphrodites (with both male and duce effectiveness and snails may recover from Metaldefemale reproductive organs) enabling each snail to lay
hyde poisoning if high moisture conditions occur.
egg clusters in the topsoil from late autumn to early
Sluggem, Slugger or Sluggit should be scattered in areas
spring.
that are regularly frequented by snails and slugs, such as
It is estimated that each snail can lay about 400 eggs a
areas around sprinkler heads. Quite often the area
year, controlling snails before egg laying commences is
around fences are left untreated, when in fact these areas
therefore essential. Baiting snails during autumn rains
need to be treated with a higher concentration of bait pelwith Sluggem, Slugger or Sluggit will greatly reduce egg
lets to prevent infestation of the adjacent plantings. Placlaying and prevent the problem of juvenile snails feeding ing bait repeatedly in the same areas maximises control
and growing on farm crops through the winter, spring and because snails tend to return to food source sites. For the
early summer.
best results baiting should take place just before or during
planting. If necessary a second treatment may be applied
Sluggem contains metaldehyde (30g/kg) and carbaryl
as soon as seedlings appear above the ground. However,
(20g/kg) as active ingredients, Slugger contains metaldedon’t pile bait in mounds, especially hazardous bait, behyde (10 g/kg) and methiocarb (5 g/kg), while Sluggit
cause piling makes bait attractive to pets and children.
contains only metaldehyde (15g/kg) as the active ingredient. Sluggem is formulated with carbaryl, partly to inThe timing of any baiting with Sluggem, Slugger or Slugcrease the spectrum of pests controlled to include soil
git is critical; baiting is less effective during very hot, very
and debris-dwelling insects and spiders. Slugger is fordry, or cold times of the year due to snails and slugs bemulated to increase effectiveness in controlling white
ing less active during these periods. Irrigate before baitsnails, Theba Pisana.
ing, in order to promote snail activity, and apply the bait in
the late afternoon or evening. Snail monitoring should be
However, carbaryl is also toxic to other soil-inhabiting
part of all growers routine checks. Counting snails 7 days
beneficial insects such as isopods and earthworms and
after application will provide a good indication of the baitshould therefore be avoided if snail and slug manageing’s effectiveness.
ment is all that is required. Where only snails or slugs