Grass Grown For Seed

Slugs can cause significant damage to grass grown for seed, impacting stand and yield. The consistent mist, and steady, high rainfall characteristic of the primary growing areas that are ideal for seed germination, are also ideal for slugs feed, thrive and propagate. In no-till plantings with more cover and harborage, the risk of slug pressure is further increased.

Many seed growers wait to treat until slug activity is apparent, performing only spot baiting broadcasts, and miss the opportunity to most favorably impact stand & yield by getting control in time.

Best Slug Control Strategies – leveraging advanced slug bait technology

Liphatech, renowned researchers and crop advisors agree that a three-pronged approach is the best preventative strategy, and need not increase input costs, and may actually reduce them. These are:

1. 1. In-furrow at planting

2. 2. On-furrow with fertilizer

3. 3. Spot Broadcast Treatment

Some innovative growers are applying preventative protection earlier, by blending metaldehyde baits such as Metarex with fertilizer. Metarex’s weatherability and bulk density of 49 lb. / cubic foot allows it to blend easily and uniformly with most fertilizer compounds, broadcast more consistently, and hold up longer in storage and in the field. Even more innovative, is baiting in-furrow at-planting.

Applying conventional slug baits in-furrow at-planting was previously difficult, since conventional slug pellets would crumble, absorb moisture, swell and clog gate openings and seed drill nozzles. Resulting pellet flow could be interrupted, reducing the consistency of the discharge. This also required frequent cleaning of gate openings and seed drill nozzles, if attempted at all. Using Metarex eliminates these hardships, enabling growers to protect seedlings when they are most vulnerable: at pre-emergence.

How is this possible?

Metarex offers of smaller, consistently-sized pellets produced using an exclusive manufacturing process that blends the active ingredient homogeneously throughout the pellet, while drying and hardening the pellet. Users have found that Metarex, wet-process manufactured similar to food-grade pasta, can become wet and will re-harden - offering superior weatherability, and yielding longer field life.

98% of Metarex pellets are sized within 0.1 mm tolerance with no dust. In addition to holding up better in planting equipment and fertilizer blends, Metarex’s uniformity helps it achieve further, more consistent broadcast (40-60 feet) when applied using electric spreaders. Using No-dust Metarex means your applicator rig is less messy. All of these factors enable Metarex to perform better at-planting and in-blending applications.

Beyond uniformity and quality control, Metarex offers superior palatability with the “bait carrier” favored three-to-one (3:1) versus fresh lettuce and carrots in slug trials. This superior attraction leads to earlier feeding and faster control.

Metarex also provides more pellets (36,000) per lb. – Plentiful baiting points are critical to effective control since slugs often do not have to venture far to feed, especially less-mobile juveniles.

All these benefits are of lesser importance if superior efficacy doesn’t come along with it. Successful preventative treatments can be made with rates as low as 4 Metarex pellets per square foot, and bait can remain rain-fast for up to 45 days (under normal rainfall) remaining effective and providing protection for up to 4 weeks.

Respected Researchers, PCA’s and CCA’s including Dr. Glenn C. Fisher (OSU), Joe Cacka (Western Farm Service), and advisors with Marion Ag, Simplot, and SureCrop have tested and compared Metarex extensively, under challenging field conditions. Results are available from Metarex dealers. See the Contact Us section for more information and Where to Buy.

Wheat

Greatest wheat vulnerability to slug damage is at emergence. The seeds become attractive to slugs within hours after sowing. Slugs always eat the embryo, killing the seed, resulting in characteristic seed hollowing.

Juvenile slugs kill more wheat seed, because they are often abundant in winter wheat seedbeds. They also kill more wheat seeds than larger adult slugs.

Slugs attack growing shoots and roots, killing the seedlings by destroying the growing points. If slugs are unable to reach the seeds, these shoots will be severely attacked but not necessarily killed. Wheat seedlings are grazed by slugs feeding on the surface from the time they emerge, resulting in characteristic shredding of the leaves. Wheat plants are vulnerable until they start to tiller.

Pellet Power in the Soil – The Metarex Difference

• Metarex provides moisture resistance for easy flow through planter drop tubes,
  and extended pellet integrity in the soil.

• Moisture-resistance promotes longer attraction and superior slug kill.

• Metarex has over 35,000 baiting points per lb.; improved availability for juvenile slugs to find it, eat it, and die.

 

Study Location: Charles River Laboratories, Edinburgh, Scotland GLP Study No. 690949.
Dr. Rachael Hansford, Ph.D. Sept. – Nov. 2006.
High risk test site, 6 replications, 95% confidence, plot sizes: 19.5’ x 19.5’ (387 sq. ft.)
First application: 10/3/06, Second application: 10/25/06 (+22 days).

Specimen Label / MSDS

Spanish Specimen Label / MSDS

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Citrus

Snails can cause significant damage to citrus tree crops. Once snails get into the tree canopy it is often too late to achieve satisfactory control by ground treatment alone.

Many citrus growers treat using metaldehyde or other compounds immediately following a major rain or irrigation event. A weather-resistant blanket of protection needs to be in place when the snails start to move, so they can easily find the bait and come in contact with the active ingredient (a.i.). Higher a.i. concentrations do not always translate to better control, but can adversely impact bait palatability.

Metarex 4% Metaldehyde bait with reduced-rate technology offers maximum palatability, and many more baiting points per lb., all leading to earlier feeding and faster, better control. Growers have also found that Metarex, made using a wet-process similar to that used for food-grade pasta, can become wet and will re-harden - offering superior irrigation and mold resistance, and yielding longer field life.

Successful preventative treatments can be made with rates as low as 4 Metarex pellets per square foot, and bait can remain rain-fast for up to 45 days (under normal rainfall) remaining effective and providing protection for up to 4 weeks.

Metarex’s no dust formula will not dirty application equipment as with other baits, saving you valuable clean-up time and permitting you and your equipment to look their best.

Respected Pest Control Advisors (PCA’s) and Certified Crop Advisors (CCA’s) including Dr. David Holden and Dr. Reed Kirkland have tested and compared Metarex extensively, under the most challenging conditions. Results are available from Metarex dealers. See the Contact Us section for more information and Where to Buy.

Specimen Label / MSDS

Spanish Specimen Label / MSDSReturn to Top

Nursery, Ornamental & Landscape

Orange:

APPROVED FOR USE IN THE STATES OF:
AK, HI, ID, OR & WA Only

Metarex is NOT registered in the following states:
ND, NE, SD & WY

Blue:

APPROVED FOR USE IN THE STATES OF:
AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WA, WV
and Puerto Rico

Metarex is NOT registered in the following states:
ND, NE, SD & WY

Overview

Slugs & snails can cause significant damage to flower quality and sensitive landscapes. Leaf and flower damage by slugs/snails can easily be misinterpreted as caused by other insects leading to ineffective control, or the unnecessary use of more-expensive pesticides. Interstate and export shipment of perishable plants require molluscicide treatment and certification that items are slug/snail free.

Many west coast nursery growers treat using metaldehyde on fixed schedule, every 2-4weeks since prevention is often easier and less costly than curative spot treatments. Metarex 4% Metaldehyde bait with reduced-rate technology is registered for these uses, offering maximum palatability, many more baiting points per lb., all leading to earlier feeding and faster, better control. Growers have also found that Metarex, made using a wet-process similar to that used for food-grade pasta, can become wet and will re-harden - offering superior irrigation and mold resistance, and yielding longer field life.

Plant protection will be observed in the decrease in plant damage.

Study Location: Bokeana Nursery Oct.-Nov. 2007
University study conducted by PhD. researcher in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Trials done in 2’ x 2’ x 2’ snail pens (8 cu. ft. ea.) with 10 snails and two ornamental plants per pen.
* DAT = Days After Treatment

Mold Resistant

Landscapers seeking to reduce their labor and input costs can also benefit from choosing Metarex. Successful preventative treatments can be made with rates as low as 4 Metarex pellets per square foot,and bait can remain rain-fast for up to 45 days (under normal rainfall) remaining effective and providing protection for up to 4 weeks. Metarex’s weatherability and bulk density of 49 lb. / cubic foot allows it to blend easily and uniformly with most fertilizer compounds. Another benefit of switching to Metarex is that its no dust formula will not bleed or stain garden walkways - requiring little to no clean-up of equipment and no more sweeping after application.

 

Specimen Label / MSDS

Spanish Specimen Label / MSDS

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Vegetables & Small Fruit

Snails and slugs can cause significant damage to fruit & vegetable crops. The dense canopy, frequently irrigated and moist environment is an ideal area for mollusks to feed and propagate.

Many growers treat using metaldehyde or other compounds on regular schedules immediately following a major rain or irrigation event. A weather-resistant blanket of protection needs to be easily accessible when the slugs and snails begin nightly feeding. Plentiful baiting points are critical since they often do not have to venture far to feed, and to impact less-mobile juveniles. Higher active ingredient concentrations do not always translate to better control, but can adversely impact bait palatability. Innovative growers have found that using calibrate-able broadcast equipment (such as pneumatic granular band broadcasters) at low rates in between rows and directed at the base of plants to be effective. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices incorporating Metarex at reduced rates (prior to the fruiting stage) have been shown to achieve outstanding control and significantly less crop damage.

Metarex 4% Metaldehyde bait with reduced-rate technology offers maximum palatability, and many more baiting points per lb., all leading to earlier feeding and faster, better control. Growers have also found that Metarex, made using a wet-process similar to that used for food-grade pasta, can become wet and will re-harden - offering superior irrigation and mold resistance, and yielding longer field life.

Successful preventative treatments can be made with rates as low as 4 Metarex pellets per square foot, and bait can remain available for up to 3 weeks under intense conditions.

Metarex’s no dust formula will not clog or dirty application equipment, providing you with less waste, better coverage, saving you valuable clean-up time.

Respected Pest Control Advisors (PCA’s) and Certified Crop Advisors (CCA’s) including Dr. Mohammed Bari, David Holden, and Dr. Reed Kirkland have tested and compared Metarex extensively, under the most challenging conditions on artichokes and lettuce. Results are available from Metarex dealers. See the Contact Us section for more information and Where to Buy.

Specimen Label / MSDS

Spanish Specimen Label / MSDS

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Artichokes/Field Crops

Snails and slugs can cause significant damage to artichokes as well as no-till field crops such as corn & soy. In the case of artichokes, the dense canopy, and frequently irrigated and moist environment is an ideal area for mollusks to feed and propagate. In no-till field crops, the stubble and detritous matter from previous crops offers harborage for slugs.

Artichokes

Many growers treat using metaldehyde or other compounds on regular schedules immediately following a major rain or irrigation event. A weather-resistant blanket of protection needs to be easily accessible when the slugs and snails begin nightly feeding. Plentiful baiting points are critical since they often do not have to venture far to feed, and to impact less-mobile juveniles. Higher active ingredient concentrations do not always translate to better control, but can adversely impact bait palatability. Innovative growers have found that using calibrate-able broadcast equipment (such as pneumatic granular band broadcasters) at low rates in between rows and directed at the base of plants to be effective. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices incorporating Metarex at reduced rates (prior to the fruiting stage) have been shown to achieve outstanding control and significantly less crop damage.

No-till Field Crops

Depending on spring moisture and slug pressure, concerned growers may deploy preventative treatments. The best means of determining if treatment is needed is to set out slug traps (available from Liphatech and authorized distributors), and checking 24 hours later. Only one (1) slug per cubic foot is the threshold level for treatment. Waiting to observe slug damage post emergence to determine if treatment is needed is simply too late. Recognized researchers have found, through split-field trials taken to yield, that preventative treatment is more effective than merely a curative approach.

Photos courtesy of Dr. Ron Hammond, OARDC

The Solution

Metarex 4% Metaldehyde bait with reduced-rate technology offers maximum palatability, and many more baiting points per lb., all leading to earlier feeding and faster, better control. Growers have also found that Metarex, made using a wet-process similar to that used for food-grade pasta, can become wet and will re-harden - offering superior irrigation and mold resistance, and yielding longer field life.

Successful preventative treatments can be made with rates as low as 4 Metarex pellets per square foot, and bait can remain available for up to 3 weeks under intense conditions.

Metarex’s no dust formula will not clog or dirty application equipment as with other baits, providing you with less waste, better coverage, saving you valuable clean-up time.

Respected Pest Control Advisors (PCA’s) and Certified Crop Advisors (CCA’s) including Dr. Mohammed Bari (Artichoke Research Board), Dr. Ron Hammond (OARDC), Dr. Joanna Weiland (Univ. of Delaware) and Mike Dailey (private crop advisor, Ohio) have tested and compared Metarex extensively, at low rates, under the most challenging conditions on no-till corn & soy. See the Contact Us for more information and Where to Buy.

Specimen Label / MSDS

Spanish Specimen Label / MSDS

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