A New, Low-Toxicity Slug Control Material for Strawberries

Abstract

Sluggo is a new low-toxicity slug control product formulated with the active ingredient ferric phosphate and a proprietary bait. Strawberry slug damage was measured in 2000 to compare treatments of Sluggo and the standard material, Deadline Mini Pellets (active ingredient, metaldehyde, plus bait) to untreated control plots. Metaldehyde is a fairly toxic material. If ferric phosphate bait can be shown to provide adequate control of slug damage, growers could use it with confidence and reduce environmental and consumer hazards in comparison with current practice. In particular, growers are concerned that use of metaldehyde in a U-pick situation where young children are present can present a hazard. Yet, if slug damage is heavy, they have had to make the choice between accepting the damage or using the potentially hazardous metaldehyde. Having a viable low-toxicity option would be welcome.