Optimizing slug management

Slugs are a persistent and costly pest for the Australian grains industry, ranking as the sixth most damaging invertebrate pest. They cause an estimated $8.7 million in crop losses annually, with growers in high rainfall zones spending between $30–$120 per hectare on molluscicide baits. Canola crops are particularly vulnerable, with untreated trials showing yield losses of 60–80 per cent at establishment.

This three-year project, led by SARDI researchers Kate Muirhead and Michael Nash in collaboration with grower groups across Australia, aims to build a better understanding of slug population dynamics and improve management strategies. BCG is contributing monitoring sites across Victoria, alongside sites in South Australia, Western Australia, and New South Wales.

The research will investigate how slug populations respond to climate and crop environments to develop a population model that supports economic and practical decision-making. The model will guide integrated management approaches including:

• Paddock selection and crop choice

• Strategic cultivation and stubble management (e.g. burning, rolling after sowing)

• Best-practice bait application and timing

The project will also evaluate the effectiveness of spring baiting under different crop types and climatic conditions, with the aim of refining strategies that reduce both pest pressure and grower reliance on costly inputs.

By combining monitoring data, ecological insights, and economic modelling, this project will enhance industry capability and provide growers with improved tools for integrated slug management.