Will the slug pellets harm the birds?

qurious

I have put down slug pellets round lettuce, onions and garlic in the garden to kill the slugs,works better than egg shells, but have noticed that the birds,especially thrushs, are eating the snails. Will the birds come to any harm eating the snails killed by the slug pellets?

ljonski

Yes they will unless they are organic pellets - get them up quick !
invest in a beer/yeast trap or a torch and a pair of scissors!

annie123

If you must use slug pellets use these:
http://www.grovesnurseries.co.uk/products/growing-success-advanced-slug-killer-750g-5712.aspx
more info:
http://www.allotment.org.uk/greenhouse/Plant_Protection/s-slug-defence.html
and only use as directed, you do not need a long line of them, just a few scattered, they attract the slugs and snails not repel them

hth

Bunnygirl

It's just not slugs they kill hedgehogs if they eat the slugs also cats and dogs if they eat the pellet. I just tend to go out twice a night and pick them off and move them on to a field I leave next too.

could you use Nemaslug?

qurious

I,ve been out picking up the snails and slugs putting them in a plastic bag and disposing of them in the bin. I will do this a few times a day early morning and evening until the pellets degrade and I can get an environmentally friendly alternative. Thanks!

Pazu

Put some slug pellets in the bottom of some jam jars. Put the jam jars on their sides around your plants. The snails will crawl in and eat the slug pellets and die. The birds can't get them and they are easy for you to empty in the bin. Beware of broken glass though.

Pazu

qurious

Thought I would collect them and have snail races instead, you'd never know,big winnings to be had? I just need to find something they can nest en, isn't that right smart*ss.

Pazu

qurious
I thought I was being helpful. Won't bother again.

Lotus-eater

Pazu wrote: »

qurious
I thought I was being helpful. Won't bother again.

I thought you were too, don't worry, just stick them on ignore. I don't like your advice to carry on using normal slug pellets though. But it's a good idea.

annie123

Pazu wrote: »

Put some slug pellets in the bottom of some jam jars. Put the jam jars on their sides around your plants. The snails will crawl in and eat the slug pellets and die. The birds can't get them and they are easy for you to empty in the bin. Beware of broken glass though.

Pazu

That only works if the slugs and snails stay put in the jar as they don't die on immediate contact with the pellets but later.

The danger is the birds eating the dead/dying slugs, birds don't go for blue pellets.
Best not to use them unless you have a really big problem to get under control.

Farway

I wrote to blue slug pellet manufacturer about this subject, the answer is no harm to birds or mammals, different metabolism to molluscs

Mind you if your dog ate the whole carton it may be different, but that was why they were made blue, to deter pets