BCG has received reports of slugs damaging crops in the Wimmera, particularly around St Arnaud. BCG Senior Researcher Kelly Angel is urging all growers to monitor for damage and manage if required: “We are hearing reports of slugs causing damage to emerging canola crops, in areas where slugs have not been problematic in the past. Farmers have reported the slugs to be in plague proportions in some canola paddocks.”
“There is no time to delay. With the high price of canola and current seed supply shortages, growers need to be monitoring now. Night-time is a good time to monitor slugs as you can see them. Using bait trails or refuges, such as tiles or mats, are also helpful as they give you a reference point,” Ms Angel explained.
The past two seasons and a wet spring in 2021 have been recognised as the reason for the rise in slug numbers in areas where they haven’t previously been a problem.
To manage slugs, it is crucial to know what species is causing the damage. Knowing population numbers, each bait’s mode of action as well as the soil type, paddock history and management are also keys in enabling growers to formulate the best plan to combat slugs. Talk to your agronomist for more information.
Useful links:
Slug control across southern Australia – GRDC (12 minute podcast with expert Dr Michael Nash)
Dr Michael Nash contact:
