Metaldehyde slug pellet ban due

Farway

As per title, a good day to bury bad news now Parliament has broken up & "stupid woman" is hogging the headlines?

No idea, but came out this morning, ban on above from 2020, still able to buy for 6 months and legally use until 2020

Maybe time to think about getting some in along with the Roundup?

I don't intend opening debate about pros & cons, just pointing out the way the law is going, make of it what you will & do what you think is right

https://www.fwi.co.uk/arable/metaldehyde-slug-pellets-banned-from-2020

http://www.farmersguide.co.uk/2018/12/metaldehyde-ban-a-big-blow-to-british-farmers-and-growers/

tori.k

Plenty of alternatives if slugs are that much of a problem its down to bad land management and lack of predators.

unforeseen

They don't work. I've never hit a single slug with those pellets

Davesnave

I don't use them much outside the polytunnel, but thanks for the heads-up.


Watch other useful control measures, like selective herbicides, go the same way!

Davesnave

tori.k wrote: »

Plenty of alternatives if slugs are that much of a problem its down to bad land management and lack of predators.

Which predators though? My hens would never eat any!

Farway

Davesnave wrote: »

Which predators though? My hens would never eat any!

Even the French don't eat them which should tell you something:D

Davesnave

I suppose there's still beer......

tori.k

Davesnave wrote: »

Which predators though? My hens would never eat any!

Loads as you well know Dave, we all know your partial to watching the birds If you was a pampered poultry would you eat slugs knowing your well trained humans were bringing you dinner

peter_the_piper

The birds which eat slugs/snails do not go into polytunnels or our greenhouses so some method of control is needed. Slug pellets are only used sparingly and are kept out of the reach of dogs etc. and unless some other way is found it will be a great loss to us.

Davesnave

The article suggests the banned pellets will still be allowed in 'permanent glasshouses,' though how this will be policed is unclear. It doesn't sound like polytunnels are intended to be included, although they're probably more prolific.

Davesnave

tori.k wrote: »

Loads as you well know Dave, we all know your partial to watching the birds If you was a pampered poultry would you eat slugs knowing your well trained humans were bringing you dinner

It's a nice theory that birds eat slugs, but in all my time, the only animal I've seen eat a slug was a frog or toad...can't remember which.

The blackbirds and occasional thrushes here find worms where I can't. They just stand there with half a dozen in their beaks, then find another!

We're acid here, and consequently worms are precious, but those birds go on finding them. Why should they bother with slugs?