Slugs can be a constant problem in certain climates and no-till fields, as this reader can attest to. Here are what his colleagues suggested to fight back. To join the discussion sign up for our No-Till Email Discussion Group at No-TillFarmer.com/Discuss.

We are having a terrible time with slugs in our rye cover no-till soybeans. The corn is not affected as much but we have used Deadline Bullets several times at the 10-lb rate and still needed to replant with limited success. 

Would there be a benefit to baiting in the fall to reduce the slug population? 

– Carl Ayers, Wauseon, Ohio

We switched from metaldehyde to an iron chelate product by Ferroxx and have been very happy with the results. It is basically priced the same but also has a bait to draw slugs to it. 

We find many times when we use it in a field its several years until we see the population build back up to a concerning level.

– Ben Hushon, White Hall, Md.

Carl, do you have any copper in your soil? I read that slugs are sensitive to copper. I tested my soil to determine if any copper was available. The soil was tested in 10-acre grids. The soil test showed a “0” value for copper. 

I applied a product called Orbix that contains many micronutrients. Plants that have unwanted guests are deficient in some nutrient. 

– Doug Honeck, State Center, Iowa