Cultural Control Techniques
Paying attention to cultural control techniques can help to reduce slug populations and may reduce or remove the need for pellet application:
- Ploughing buries available food sources and also directly reduces slug populations
- Removal of the trash and weeds between crops reduces the food source for slugs
- Work seedbeds to a fine tilth – cloddy fields will allow slugs free movement through the soil, attacking seeds and the seedlings’ growing points
- Ensure seedbeds are firm; if possible roll after drilling
- Cultivate soon after harvest, especially in dry conditions
- Trapping will provide an idea of the slug population and therefore the risk of damage to the crop
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