Slug Bait
There are plenty of slug baits on the market, but I only use organic slug bait. This applies both to controlling slugs around edible crop or ornamental plants.
Why is that? The active ingredient in non-organic bait is metaldehyde. (yeah, I know, just the name sounds creepy!) Metaldehyde is toxic to kids and pets. It’s easy to picture little kids or dogs picking up and eating those little pellets.
Iron phosphate is the active ingredient in organic bait. It is a natural substance that is NOT toxic to kids or pets. That makes the choice pretty easy, as far as I’m concerned.
I’m most familiar with the Sluggo brand of products and have had good luck with them. I just sprinkle their organic slug bait on the soil in problem areas and that’s all there is to it.
As with all products, be sure to read the label directions. Remember that more is NOT better! Read how often you can apply the slug bait and at what concentration.
Slugs tend to primarily be a problem with cabbage family crops and beet family crops. I’m referring to things like cabbage, broccoli, spinach, Swiss chard and beets.
You can find organic slug bait at garden centers, some hardware and home stores, and online.