Commercial Products

The so-called 'slug-pellets' are probably the most common method of control and until recently have been the only readily available one. Although these small pellets can be an effective control they are not without some serious drawbacks.

The most serious is the fact that in they contain metaldehyde and is toxic to all animals. The impregnated corn based pellet is attractive to larger animals, in particular the family pets and even small children. Natural predators may also eat them, increasing the dependence on this chemical control.

Slugs and snails don't die from eating the pellets, rather they stimulate over-production of mucous as the slug attempts to get rid of the poison which it picks up on contact. Eventually the slug simply dries up, that's why you'll often find the dead creature in a pool of its own goop. The active ingredient is broken down by bright sunlight so is probably not the best choice for use on chilli plants and in wet conditions the slug or snail stands a much better chance or re-hydrating and so will survive.

Recently bait has become available that is safer for use around animals and children. Based on iron phosphate it causes slugs and snails to loose their appetite, eventually they simply die of hunger. This may take days during which its egg laying capability is not affected making reapplication necessary.

The pellets break down when wet and being small are easily washed into the soil by watering and by the rain so need to be constantly topped up, good for the manufacture, bad on our pockets. As the pellets break down they release their chemicals into the soil and although it says you can use them on food crops I personally don't like the idea, metaldehyde is carcinogenic and even though it eventually breaks down it's certainly not organic.