Don’t let slugs eat profit

As slugs enter their second breeding period of the year, the number of juveniles will peak, only easing as colder frosty weather forces them to cease feeding and seek shelter further down the soil profile.

Autumn sown leys and especially later sown leys are therefore particularly vulnerable. Farmers should inspect their grass reseeds at least once a week looking for slug feeding activity and slug trails.

Top tips to prevent slugs

• Plough if possible, especially if following catch crops such as kale or forage rape.
• Create a fine well consolidated seed bed which is good for germination, but bad for slug mobility.
• Be aware that direct and late drilled leys pose high risk situations.
• Be aware that leafy preceding crops provide food and shelter allowing slug numbers to rise.
• Be prepared to apply a quality slug pellet to control slug populations once thresholds are reached.
• Inspect re-seeds regularly and call one of our BASIS qualified advisors for advice. Don’t fall foul of the strict rules surrounding slug pellets.