The slug species which cause most damage - including D. reticulatum - the common, grey field slug - are largely near surface dwellers and feed on leafy vegetation.

They only move short distances – of 3-4 feet or so – migrating from lower levels of the soil into the topsoil as it wets up to feed.

With straw and crop residues now most commonly incorporated into the soil there is sufficient plant material to maintain and encourage in-field slug populations between crops.

Therefore, with slugs looking to graze on the surface of the soil, pellets broadcast on the soil surface are encountered more readily than drilled pellets.

Indeed, field studies show that D. reticulatum travels relatively shorter distance to begin feeding on broadcast pellets than drilled pellets.

Those slug species commonly found in hedgerows are not those that cause problems in the crop and because the soils of headlands and field margins are generally more compacted, these slugs are unlikely to move into the field.

Thus, practices that apply pellets to field margins and hedgerows are not only wasteful and unnecessary they are increasingly environmentally damaging and unacceptable.

Integrated Slug Control 

• Produce a fine, consolidated seedbed.
• Shallow cultivation to incorporate crop residues reduces numbers.
• Ploughing considerably reduces slug populations and risk of damage.
• In fine, consolidated seedbeds, drilling at 3cm depth is sufficient to deny slugs access to the seed.
• If seedbeds are more cloddy, sow deeper – at 4-5cm depth.
• If bait thresholds indicate a risk, apply pellets just after drilling or rolling if it is to be carried out.
• Slugs start to feed immediately after drilling – they don’t need rain.
• Broadcasting pellets is better than applying with seed unless seedbeds are cloddy.
• Secondary treatment is justified when slug activity is high and growth is slow.