SLUGS (Limax sp., Agriolimax sp, Deroceras sp.) and SNAILS (Helix sp.)

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Babocida Manchester Pellet is ideal for controlling slugs and snails. Spreading it in piles around the plants, preferably in the afternoon so that its toxic action takes place at night. Do not use in case of rain or extreme humidity, as it inhibits its action. Avoid ingestion in humans, birds, and pets.

 

Babocida Manchester Pellet, as a gardening product, is made on the basis of metaldehyde, the only specific selective product for the control of slugs and snails.

 

In agriculture and floriculture other products are used such as carbamates, niclosamide and metal salts. But these products are not specific since they are insecticides, so they have other ecotoxicological effects and become harmful to health.

 

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About slugs and snails:

They are mollusks (soft body) on whose head we can find retractable tentacles (eyes are located at the ends of the longest ones) and that use a muscular foot to slide. In doing so they leave a trace of shiny "slime" that their body secretes to facilitate movement, which serves as a sign to detect its presence.

 

One difference between these two types of mollusks is that the former have atrophied shell.

 

With saliva they moisten the plant tissue, firm it with their jaw and scrape it with their "teeth" tearing off pieces of tissue like a grater. They are mainly active at night and on cloudy and humid days. During the day they hide under objects on the ground, screams and holes.

 

Although there are other products on the market to protect crops from slugs and snails, only metaldehyde has proven efficacy while being ecologically compatible.

 

The attack of the mollusks causes great losses not only in gardening but also in agriculture and fish farming. These damages vary according to the time of year, humidity and rainfall.

 

The most common species in our country are Slugs Limax sp., Agriolimax sp. and Deroceras sp. & Caracoles Helix sp.

 

 

Consequences of the attack of slugs and snails:

These mollusks are most active at night and in wet weather. During the day they hide under objects on the ground. Their presence is recognized by the silver line that they leave when moving with their slime, which remains stuck like a groove on the surfaces they pass through.

 

The intensity of the damage varies with the time of year and depends on the rainfall and the cultivation method.

 

Cultivation methods have changed a lot in recent times: work is done at shallower depths, plowing less and the direct seeding technique is often used. In this way the soil is removed much less, so there are remains of plants that serve as a refuge for the mollusks. This increases their chance of survival, affecting not only growing and adult plants but also shoots, bulbs and small trees.

 

The attack of the mollusks is manifested by holes in the leaves of the vegetables, which reduce the surface area for photosynthesis and thus affect their growth and performance. Damage caused to shoots often causes total loss of the plant, especially dicots (herbs). Monocots tolerate attacks by mollusks to a certain extent, but it is clear that flowers, fruits and vegetables cannot be marketed if they are damaged by the attack of this type of pest.

 

Mollusks also attack below the surface. Slugs, especially, eat seeds before germination or sprouts and attack bulbs, causing subsequent fungal infections.

 

In fish farms they can form large colonies that steal food from the fish, with the consequent damage.