If you keep up to speed with the news you may have heard of the metaldehyde slug pellet ban, introduced at the end of March 2022. To gardeners, this might cause some alarm, after all, slugs are troublesome pests that delight in munching our bedding plants and veggies! Here we are going to explore some of the good reasons why this ban has been put in place.

Table of contents

How do slug pellets work?

The type of slug pellets that have been banned are the ones that contain an organic compound called metaldehyde. This is a molluscicide, meaning it kills molluscs such as slugs and snails. It comes in a variety of formulations such as liquid, granules, sprays, grains, and dust. Most people using it in a garden setting have a pellet or grain form of the product which is scattered on the ground. These tend to be flavoured with bran or molasses to make them more attractive to slugs. The product is often dyed too, usually found as a blue or green colour.

After ingesting them the slug becomes paralysed, produces an excessive amount of mucus and dies from dehydration. The exact mechanism of toxicity is not completely understood however.

Slug pellets are toxic to other species, not just slugs!

Sadly, metaldehyde is not species-specific, and so it is also toxic to other animals. Dogs, cats, and wildlife are attracted to these flavoured pellets and may accidentally eat them. Problems occur more commonly when the instructions haven’t been followed and the pellets have been put in a pile in the garden rather than scattered thinly (making it easier for an animal to consume a large amount of bait in one go). Problems also arise if your slug bait isn’t stored securely in the shed or garage. Cases of malicious poisoning of pets have been reported too.

From a wildlife perspective, problems may occur when animals higher up the food chain either try the slug pellets or consume the poisoned slugs. Toads, birds and hedgehogs are all susceptible to the effects of metaldehyde, and there are concerns about declining numbers of some of these species. When used on a large agricultural scale the effects on the environment are worrying with heavy rainfall causing chemicals to get washed into drinking water.

What should I do if my dog or cat eats slug pellets?

If your pet eats slug pellets, then you should call your vet for advice as soon as possible. If you have the packet available, then this may be helpful. Your vet can then know what ingredients the slug bait contained, and at what concentration.

Symptoms can start within 30mins to 3 hours of ingesting the slug bait. These will also depend on the quantity of bait eaten and the size of your pet. Toxicity is most likely to occur when an animal gets into a packet and eats a considerable amount in one go, rather than eating the odd scattered pellet on the ground.

Common symptoms of poisoning include –

  • Anxiety
  • Tremors
  • Elevated body temperature
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Drooling
  • Abdominal pain
  • Seizures
  • Collapse

What will my vet do?

There is no specific cure or antidote for metaldehyde poisoning. Instead, treatment is aimed at decontamination and treating the symptoms of toxicity.

If your pet has only recently eaten the slug pellets your vet may be able to give medication to induce vomiting, to make them bring up their stomach contents and prevent any further digestion of the toxic product. Sometimes your vet may need to go a step further and perform gastric lavage (stomach flush) under anaesthetic. Activated charcoal can stop further absorption of chemicals.

Intravenous fluids may be required to correct metabolic changes, as well as medications to counteract seizures. Your pet will be hospitalised for monitoring during this time, with many doing well when treatment has been prompt.

Other alternatives to metaldehyde slug pellets

For large scale farming, alternative methods of slug control should be considered, such as planting slug resistant varieties of crops, selectively timing irrigation and harvesting/sowing seeds more deeply in the ground. Pesticides containing ferric phosphate are also effective and with fewer risks to the environment and other animals than metaldehyde.

In your own garden, ferric phosphate pesticides could be used in place of metaldehyde. Alternatively, why not try some other organic methods of slug control like using a beer trap or placing copper barriers around precious plants?

Conclusion

The metaldehyde ban has primarily been brought about to protect the environment, but with the side benefit of protecting domestic animals too. There are other alternative methods of slug control though, so don’t despair, your garden will still be safe! Meanwhile, if your dog or cat happens to accidentally consume any of your left-over metaldehyde bait then contact a vet as soon as possible for advice.

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