As the mild, unsettled weather continues, growers have been reminded of the need to set slug traps to asses the threat to emerging crops.

“Crop establishment is the most crucial time to set and check slug traps if you have any history with the pests,” said Dick Neale from HL Hutchinson.

“Slugs do their worst early-on, so it’s vital to keep an eye on numbers using trapping, and get pellets down where numbers look as though they’re getting out of control.”

Referring to Home Grown Cereals Authority research, he said traps should be laid out in a ‘W’ formation across the field, with nine traps per field, or 13 in fields over 20ha.

They should preferably be made of a reflective material that does not heat-up in the sun, as slugs will retreat if it is warm, he said.

If crops are at risk (a catch of four or more/ trap) and pellets are to be used, then choosing the right type is crucial, he added.

“Always think quality. We’ve recently tested seven types of metaldehyde pellet, and found that the higher the quality, the better the spreading and longevity of the pellets.”

Slug trapping guidelines:
• Traps should be 30-40cm²
• Made from a reflective material
• Use 20ml or 2 heaped teaspoonfuls of chicken layers mash as bait (not pellets)
• Use 9 traps/ field in a ‘W’ formation (13 traps in fields over 20ha)
• Concentrate on areas known to suffer slug damage
• Leave traps overnight and examine early the following morning
• Catch of over 4 slugs/ trap indicates a possible risk
• Monitor crops regularly, up until first tillering (growth stage 21)