Re: metaldyhyde in the garden

>Cindi wrote: Be particularly careful if you decide to use snail pellets.
>They look way
>too much like pet food. I killed my wonderful 80 pound dog and almost
>killed another 80pounder who had lapped up a couple of pellets. I called
>the manufacturers who were sympathtic but said to read the label and sure
>enough ......right on the label it informs that it is deadly to pets.
>Could not believe it necessary to put that much poison in a tiny pellet to
>kill a tiny snail! and endanger our pets. Needless to say I will never,
>ever use that kind of control.
>L
>
Then Fiona wrote:
>I have heard from vets that there isn't possibly enough poison in
>metaldehyde pellets to hurt a cat, never mind a dog. But when we sold our
>house in San Francisco, the new owner called after a few days to ask if we
>had any poisons in the garden as her dog had become very ill. The only
>poison I used in that garden was slug bait (and rotenone the year before,
>on the weevils, but that's another story). Now that we have a new puppy, I
>haven't put down ANY slug bait (I prefer to stalk 'em at night with bleach
>and salt).
>
>Does anyone know of an actual scientific survey that would put this to
>rest? There are a lot of conflicting opinions about this one.
>
>And how about that biological killer (nematodes?) available in the UK?
>
>Fiona Gilsenan
>Paso Robles, CA

One important point, often overlooked, is the number of pellets you
actually need to put out. Many gardeners still put out pellets in great
heaps which are much more likely to attract pets then the very few pellets
which are actually needed. And now that we have mini-pellets, usually
coloured an off-putting blue colour and containing a mammal deterrent, very
few are required. A single pellet every 4-6inches is usally enough.

It's also often said that slup pellets containing methiocarb, while also
killing some other plant pests, are less dangerous to animals - does anyone
have any dependable information on it? I'll be seeing the people from UK
Scotts/Miracle-Gro on Friday - I'll ask them!

Biological control is certainly effective - but very expensive.

Graham Rice
Northamptonshire, UK
Zone 8

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