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Overview
Liphatech has over 35 years of experience developing slug and snail baits (molluscicides). We are specialists in developing bait carriers and optimizing bait formulations for palatability, weatherability (moisture resistance), density and uniform spread pattern. In our laboratories, we maintain a testing population of thousands of slugs and snails in order to test new “recipes” to improve acceptance and performance characteristics.
- Slug
- Snail
Metarex
Metarex® snail and slug bait is sold around the world, in different formulations tailored for different species, climates, crops and application methods. Our painstaking manufacturing process gradually hardens ingredients from select suppliers. This takes greater time and expense, but ensures a consistent product: a wide, even spread pattern, moisture resistance, and long field life. The weatherability, pellet uniformity, mold resistance, palatability, and efficacy of Metarex all contribute to its performance in “at-planting” and “blended-with-fertilizer” applications. Highly-visible pellets help assure proper coverage and prevent over application. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices incorporating Metarex at reduced rates (per label directions) have been shown to achieve effective control and reduce crop damage.
Restricted Use Pesticide
Metarex is NOT registered for use in North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. Only New York State classifies Metarex 4% Snail and Slug Bait (EPA Reg. #7173-257) as a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP).
Slug & Snail Markets
Breeding Cycle
Since they are hermaphrodites, a single pair of slugs or snails can breed and lay a clutch of 80-120 eggs. Breeding cycles can occur as often as every 4–8 weeks. These reproductive cycles, which can overlap, are called a “pulse.” Snail egg laying frequency is a function of vegetative and moisture conditions as well as predation and other “pressure” on the slug or snail population.
One of the main challenges of slug and snail control is reducing populations faster than they can breed and recover.
Dormancy
Slugs are like “icebergs”: many more slugs and eggs can be found down several inches below the soil surface. Slug eggs can remain dormant for long periods and are resistant to drought, heat and cold.
Slug counts from baiting and trapping on the surface represent only a fraction of the total population.
Photo credit: Glenn Fisher OSU Emeritus - OSGL Conv. Pres’n 12-2007
View DiagramProper Baiting
Molluscicidal baits like Metarex kill slugs and snails that are active on the soil surface, but not dormant eggs or mollusks that are living below the surface. For successful control, baiting and other methods need to be maintained without interruption until the egg load throughout the soil has been reduced.
