Keep check on slugs with trapping

If you're not slug trapping this autumn, you're missing out on a valuable slug control tool.

That's the message from HL Hutchinson's Dick Neale. "Crop establishment is the most crucial time to set and check slug traps if you have any history with the pests," he says. "Slugs do their worst early on, so it's vital to keep an eye on numbers using trapping, and get pellets down where numbers look as though they're getting out of control.

"Distribute the traps at regular intervals. Recent HGCA research suggests laying out the traps in a large 'W' formation across the field, with nine traps per field, or 13 if the field's more than 20ha in size."

Traps should be between 30 – 40cm² and preferably made from a reflective matting that won't warm in the sun. "If it's warm slugs will retreat so you won't get a true count," explains Mr Neale. "Use a bait of layers' mash – just one or two teaspoons under each trap should be enough.

"Check the traps early in the morning. A catch of four or more slugs indicates a possible risk, and a potential need to apply pellets, particularly when soil and weather conditions might increase slug activity."

The choice of pellet is also very important. "Always think quality, says Dick Neale of HL Hutchinson. "We've recently tested seven types of metaldehyde pellet, and found that the higher the quality, the better the spreading and longevity of the pellets."

Luxan's Delicia Slug-Lentils was one of the products trialled by HL Hutchinson. "We found that the slug lentils [metaldehyde] lasted extremely well in the field and spread very easily, with the 3kg/ha application a particularly attractive point," says Mr Neale.

Peter Boyne, Technical Manager at Luxan explains: "Better quality pellets are denser, which helps with both spreadability and longevity. They also have a more even distribution of active ingredient.

"Recent research has shown how important the shape of the pellet is. This is why the Delicia Slug Lentils were developed as a round, flat, lentil-shape . It gives the pellets a frisbee-like action, getting a far more even distribution than had been achieved previously."