Powering up slug control: the importance of mould resistance

How a pellet is manufactured (the quality of the ingredients used, how they are combined and subsequently formed into a pellet) not only determines how effective the pellets are at controlling slugs, or how accurately they can be applied, but also directly impacts on how long they will remain palatable under typically wet field conditions.

To maximise slug control, pellets should take effect as soon as possible after application: they should not only contain the optimum dose of ferric phosphate but should also be easy for the slugs to ingest. Likewise, the pellets must remain palatable for as long as possible post-application to ensure the crop remains protected for longer and to prevent the need for a second application of pellets to be required too soon.

Appetising and effective for longer

To provide long-lasting protection, slug pellets should be able to endure sustained periods of wet weather without breaking down, and should remain mould-free to ensure they continue to be appetising. Put simply, slugs won’t eat mouldy pellets and will instead actively seek an alternative food source such as a succulent new seedling.

As the chart below indicates, an independent trial (conducted under controlled conditions to maintain a warm, wet and humid environment) showed that ADAMA’s wet processed Gusto^® IRON slug pellets retain their shape and colour for longer. They also remained mould-free for the duration of the experiment. In contrast, other leading brands started to show signs of degradation and mould-growth, thereby reducing their palatability and impacting their effectiveness.

^{An independent trial, conducted under controlled conditions to maintain a warm, wet and humid environment, showed that Gusto IRON slug pellets retain their shape, colour and palatability for longer compared to other leading brands. The ADAMA pellets also remained mould-free for longer.}

Gusto^® IRON: the obvious choice for cost-effective slug control

Gusto^® IRON is a ready-to-use, pelleted bait containing 2.94% w/w anhydrous ferric phosphate. It is approved for use in a range of agricultural and horticultural crops and offers the following key benefits:

• A durable, persistent and palatable slug pellet for the control of all UK slug species
• Rainproof and with superior mould resistance: long-lasting slug control even in the harshest of seasons
• Excellent colour retention for easy detection
• Uniform pellet size and density for accurate spreading to wide working widths
• Optimum baiting points of 45 pellets per m² when applied at a field rate of 5kg/ha