Efficient slug poison

Press, 24 April 1980, Page 11

Efficient slug poison

A slug poison claimed to be twice as effective as any other has been developed in Britain. It is a mixture of metaldehyde, water and protein extracted from cows’ blood. According to Dr Ifor Bowen, a member of the research team at the Department of Zoology at University College, Cardiff, it has many advantages- over the conventional metaldehyde pellets.

“We have succeeded in

diluting it to such an extent that it is virtually harmless to anything except slugs,” he says.

The Cardiff scientists claim that the poison is lethal to grey field slugs and garden slugs, and that the spray is absorbed by slugs' eggs, killing the embryos inside. They have also discovered that the most effective way of poisoning a slug is through its foot. This has a thin layer of cells which give the slug a

sense of hunger when it is in contact with proteins. The cows' blood protein contained in the new product has proved most effective.

The poison, which has a provisional patent, is expected to be on the market soon.

“Not only will it benefit the gardener,” says Dr Bowen, “but also the farmer. It should cut losses on early potatoes and winter wheat."