Bread Dough Mix: Is this The Best Slug Control Method Ever?
Bread Dough Mix For Slug Control: A Simple Slug Solution That Is Low Cost, Environmentally Friendly, Non-toxic & Effective.
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Why waste good beer on slugs. In the past slug pubs have been seen as a safe way to attract and dispatch slugs. But I prefer to drink beer myself and wanted a better method. I tried a yeast mix of flour, yeast and water .. as sort of dough slurry to replace the beer in my slug pubs … and it worked well. This Bread Dough Mix For Slug Control is better than beer I thought. AND it works for snails as well.
But I’m never satisfied with personal observation. I want verifiable, objective evidence, preferably research carried out by legit research stations or universities. So I was delighted when I found research carried out in the USA.
I know I always say be careful about relying on research from other continents, especially where it bases finding on species we don’t get at home. But, in this case, I think some of the findings are transferable. It verifies my own observations and its likely to be found relevant to UK species. I am now looking for similar research being carried out in the UK just to confirm the US findings.
Which ever continent we garden on snails and slugs are notorious crop saboteurs, causing significant damage. Yet, controlling these pests often relies heavily on molluscicides, with their effectiveness waning due to resistance. And many have, quite rightly, been banned in Europe and the UK. This highlights a pressing need for alternative strategies. Bread dough could be the answer
Researchers from the Department of Entomology at the University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside), and the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University embarked on a quest for a more potent attractant.Their surprising discovery? A humble bread dough concoction – a simple mix of flour, water, and yeast – proved remarkably alluring.
Across various locations, including Hawaii, Oregon, and Montana, this homemade bait consistently outshone a widely used commercial molluscicide in attracting a range of invasive snail and slug species. The simplicity and affordability of the bread dough recipe holds immense promise, particularly in areas with limited access to expensive chemical controls.
Furthermore, the researchers envision a pre-mixed dry formulation of flour and yeast. This would require only water activation, extending shelf life and simplifying transport – key features for a practical lure.
This research represents a potential game-changer in pest management. The development of non-toxic, cost-effective, and highly effective methods for controlling snails and slugs is a crucial step towards achieving sustainable agricultural practices.
I make my dough mix by mixing water to a flour and yeast mix until I get a liquid slurry in which slugs will drown. The proportions aren’t vital provided it is liquid enough. Even a small amount of yeast works as it reproduces and grows in the mix.
