Slug pellets, commonly used to control slugs and snails in gardens, can pose significant dangers to owls and other wildlife. Alternate, ecologically safe, methods of pest control, such as copper plant rings, must be adopted.
Slug pellets were first introduced in the UK in the early 1950s. These pellets, primarily containing metaldehyde, were developed to control slug and snail populations in gardens and agricultural settings. Metaldehyde was initially discovered in 1932, but it wasn't until after World War II that its use in slug pellets became widespread.
The convenience, effectiveness and price point of these pellets quickly made them a popular choice for gardeners and farmers looking to protect their plants from slug damage. However, like many other pesticide innovations of the 20th century, the consequences to wider wildlife populations were not initially considered.
The metaldehyde in slug pellets poses a significant threat to our avian population in a number of key ways. Owls, particularly barn owls, are at risk of secondary poisoning when they consume rodents or other small animals that have ingested slugs, who have in turn eaten pellets. The active ingredient in many slug pellets, metaldehyde, is highly toxic and can accumulate in the bodies of these animals.
Angela Norwood, from BerkshireBirdsOfPrey.co.uk, says, "An owl can be killed if it ingests as few as 20 rodents which have eaten poisoned slugs". Angela goes on to say "The reduction in populations of small mammals and invertebrates, due to themselves being poisoned, can decrease the availability of prey for owls. This can lead to starvation or force owls to hunt in areas where they are at greater risk from other hazards such as traffic or predators".
Although less common, owls can also be directly exposed to slug pellets, particularly if they forage on the ground where pellets have been spread. This direct ingestion can be fatal or cause severe health issues. Further, the widespread use of slug pellets can disrupt local ecosystems, impacting not just birds of prey but also other predatory birds, mammals, and beneficial invertebrates. This can lead to a cascading effect, harming biodiversity and the health of the ecosystem as a whole
To mitigate these risks, it is recommended to use non-toxic alternatives for slug control, such as barriers, traps, and biological controls like nematodes. A traditional technique, largely forgotten since the adoption of chemical slug pellets is the use of copper.
Copper is said to give slugs and snails a mild tingle, akin to an electric shock, as their mucus reacts with the metal, this deters slugs from eating plants. Copper rings can be placed around plants to control slugs and snails and provides a wildlife and pet friendly alternative to slug pellets.
Copper and Green, who develop and manufacture copper products sell two sizes of copper slug rings for gardeners. Paul, from CopperAndGreen.com says "The weather this year has been particularly damp which has greatly increased the slug population. People have lost £100s worth of plants in their gardens, sometimes as quickly as through one night. With chemical slug pellets no longer being an option, copper plant rings have been a great solution".
To find out more about Berkshire Birds of Prey, please visit BerkshireBirdsOfPrey.co.
To find out more about copper slug rings, please visit CopperAndGreen.com