Slug Control

Why are slugs and snails so damaging?

Slugs and snails feed at night and in damp conditions, rasping holes in leaves, seedlings, fruit and bulbs. A single wet spell can turn a light population into serious crop loss, especially in low-growing, high-value crops like strawberries and lettuce. Because they shelter in soil and debris by day, infestations are easy to underestimate until the damage appears.

How does saponin work?

The active is saponin. Saponins are natural surfactants that break down the mucus layer and disrupt the soft tissues slugs and snails rely on to move and protect themselves, causing a rapid effect on contact. It also helps against mole crickets and ants. As a plant-derived active, it offers a lower-residue route than synthetic metaldehyde baits, which carry handling and wildlife concerns.

How and when should it be applied?

Apply to soil and around vulnerable plants, ideally in the evening when slugs and snails become active, and after watering or rain when they move to the surface. Targeting the active period and the damp microclimate where they shelter gives the best result. Reapply after heavy rain or as new activity appears.

Which crops is it for?

Slug Control has been tested on strawberries, lettuce, brassicas and ornamentals - crops where slug and snail pressure is both common and costly. It suits market gardens, protected beds and ornamental production where a low-residue option is preferred.

How does it compare to conventional slug baits?

Conventional baits often rely on metaldehyde, which raises wildlife and handling concerns, or iron phosphate, which works more slowly. Slug Control's saponin chemistry acts on contact and is plant-derived, making it a fit for growers moving toward lower-residue, more environmentally considerate programs without giving up rapid effect.