Never heard of the brand, but if they are iron phosphate, they are
supposed to be ok and are certified Organic.
susan
Are slugs that much of a problem that drowning in beer or treating the slug with cutters
won't be a reasonable solution?
Searching for info on metaldehyde....
I started at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaldehyde
and ended at http://www.inchem.org/documents/pds/pds/pest93_e.htm#2.1.2
cutting & pasting the choice parts... ;)
-------------
WHO/FAO DATA SHEETS ON PESTICIDES
No. 93
METALDEHYDE
2.1 Toxicology - Mammals
2.1.1 Absorption:
Metaldehyde is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and may be absorbed from the skin or lungs.
2.1.2 Mode of action:
It is postulated that metaldehyde decomposition to acetaldehyde is responsible for the CNS effects and other toxic
symptoms observed. The concentrations of several CNS neurotransmitter were affected by metaldehyde administration to
mice. However, it is not clear whether these changes were the cause of the toxic effect.
2.1.4 Toxicity, single dose:
Mice receiving an oral dose of 1000 mg/kg b.w. died within two hours of exposure. Signs of poisoning, apparent 10
minutes after dosing, were sedation, shivering, whole body tremors, tonic-clonic convulsions and death. In cattle,
horses and dogs mild poisoning was evidenced by salivation, ataxia and hypernea. In severe poisoning symptoms observed
included convulsions, sweating, tachycardia and muscle spasms. Death was usually attributable to respiratory failure.
2.1.9 Reproduction:
A three generation reproduction study with Wistar rats receiving, 1000 or 5000 mg/kg diet demonstrated an adverse effect
on reproduction. Hind-limb paralysis and mortality were observed in females of all generations (including parental)
receiving 5000 mg/kg diet. A low incidence of hind-limb paralysis was observed in the females of the F1 and F2
generations at 1000 mg/kg diet. Fertility, viability and lactation indices were reduced in all generations at the top
dose. The onset of maternal hind-limb paralysis at or about delivery had an adverse effect on the latter two parameters.
Increased relative liver weights were observed in some offspring.
2.1.11 Neurotoxicity:
CNS depression, convulsions and violent muscular contractions have been reported for several mammalian species following
acute exposure to metaldehyde. In repeated exposure, incidences of hind-limb paralysis have been observed in rats.
Histopathological examination revealed fracture or dislocation of vertebrae and subsequent transverse lesions of the
spinal cord. In the reproduction study cited above, pregnancy exacerbated the condition. Lesions usually occurred
between the fifth and ninth thoracic vertebrae, and were not caused by ostomalacia, but were, possibly, secondary to
uncontrolled body movement and subsequent mechanical damage.
2.2 Toxicology - Man
2.2.1 Absorption route:
Metaldehyde is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and may be absorbed from the skin or lungs.
2.2.2 Dangerous doses:
The following relationships between clinical effects and ingested dose have been suggested: salivation, facial flushing,
fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting from a "few" mg/kg; drowsiness, tachycardia, spasms, irritability,
salivation, abdominal cramps, facial flushing, and nausea from up to 50 mg/kg; ataxia and increased muscle tone from
50-100 mg/kg, convulsions, tremor, and hyperreflexia from 100-200 mg/kg; and coma and death from about 400 mg/kg.
2.2.3 O
2.2.6 Reported mishaps:
Several incidents of metaldehyde exposure are reported in literature. Ingestion of slug-bait pellets by children
accounts for the majority of the incidents reported in the United States of America between 1966-1980. In Europe, human
poisonings are also associated with voluntary ingestion of tablets intended for use as fuel. Appearance of symptoms
might be delayed a few hours after ingestion. Survivors of severe poisoning showed loss of memory which lasted for up to
a year. Laboratory findings included acid urine despite alkali therapy and elevated serum transaminase activities. At
autopsy, the main findings were fatty degeneration with zonal necrosis of the liver and swelling and desquamation of the
renal tubular epithelium.
4.4 Emergency Aid
4.4.1 Early symptoms of poisoning:
Nausea, vomiting, salivation, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps may be observed with mild poisoning. In severe poisoning
these symptoms may progress to muscular spasms, convulsions, tachycardia, respiratory depression and coma. Dermal and
ocular exposure may cause irritation.
4.4.2 Treatment before person is seen by physician, if symptoms appear following exposure:
The person should stop work immediately, remove contaminated clothing and wash the affected skin area. If the patient is
fully conscious, vomiting should be induced.
5.1 Medical Diagnosis And Treatment In Cases Of Poisoning
5.1.1 General information:
Metaldehyde is a molluscicide of moderate mammalian toxicity. Poisoning may occur following ingestion, inhalation of
vapours or following dermal contact. Dermal and ocular exposures may cause irritation. Poisoning is characterized by
central nervous system toxicity and acidosis.
5.1.2 Symptoms and signs:
Symptoms of mild poisoning include nausea, salivation, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and muscle spasms. More
severe poisoning may also cause tachycardia, respiratory depression and coma. Dermal and ocular contact may cause
irritation.
5.1.3 Laboratory:
A mixed metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis may be observed.
5.1.4 Treatment:
Following ingestion vomiting should be induced in the conscious patient. A gastric lavage is also indicated and an
activated charcoal suspension will limit absorption. Gastric lavage and catharsis are effective treatments for up to
12-24 hours after poisoning. Give oxygen if respiration is depressed. Convulsions may be treated with diazepam, but
attention must be paid to the possible further depression of respiration. Antibiotics, chlorpromazine, and additional
supportive therapy for coma, hypoxia, and/or pulmonary oedema may be required. Urinary acidosis should be countered by
the administration of sodium bicarbonate.
If the compound has entered the eyes they should be flushed with water. Contaminated skin should be thoroughly washed
with soap and water. Treatment of irritant effects should be symptomatic.
5.1.5 Prognosis:
Patients who survive, recover within 2-5 days. However, loss of memory has been reported for various durations (weeks to
months) after poisoning.
--------------------------------------
Kathryn Marsh wrote:
A colleague was telling me today that he'd bought some Baby Bio slug
pellets that are sold as harmless to pets and birds. Anyone got any
comments?
--0-1723643702-1115952910=:43294
I have to be honest. Not having seen more 3 snails and one slug so far this year, I planted some tuberoses and Australian violets yesterday. So, I went on my first midnight hike of the year into the front yard where most of my perennial beds are. I was very surprised, but I found 6 snails, and 6 slugs ( some slugs were only 1/4 in. ). So, the battle is never over. I hadn't taken a midnight hike with my high powered flashlight ( powered with an electric drill battery )since last June, so I guess it wasn't too bad. Cheers, Sue
Plant Spirit Herbals in No. Calif.
Frances Silta
Are slugs that much of a problem that drowning in beer or treating the slug with cutters
won't be a reasonable solution?
--0-1723643702-1115952910=:43294I have to be honest. Not having seen more 3 snails and one slug so far this year, I planted some tuberoses and Australian violets yesterday. So, I went on my first midnight hike of the year into the front yard where most of my perennial beds are. I was very surprised, but I found 6 snails, and 6 slugs ( some slugs were only 1/4 in. ). So, the battle is never over. I hadn't taken a midnight hike with my high powered flashlight ( powered with an electric drill battery )since last June, so I guess it wasn't too bad. Cheers, SuePlant Spirit Herbals in No. Calif.
Frances Silta <silta@CLAYNET.COM> wrote:
Are slugs that much of a problem that drowning in beer or treating the slug with cutters
won't be a reasonable solution?
--0-1723643702-1115952910=:43294--
This page: http://www.gardenforum.co.uk/mips/gforumnews/detail.asp?recno=958
says:
Tests show Sparrows and Hedgehogs are Safe from Slug Pellets
New research presented by Professor David Glen to pbi, distributors
of Bio Slug Mini-Pellets, suggest that slug pellets containing
Meta-metaldehyde, when used correctly, present no threat to other
wild life.
The new test has been carried out on house sparrows by DEFRA's
Central Science Laboratory. Having been starved for a period, the
birds were offered slug pellets alone as food. The birds were
reluctant to eat the pellets even when hungry and with no alternative
food on offer. Once other food was offered with the slug pellets,
almost no pellets were eaten.
Furthermore, sparrows that were tempted to eat the pellets in
starvation tests showed no ill effects from the slug poison. This
research supports research published earlier where hedgehogs were fed
slugs killed through eating pellets containing Meta-metaldehyde.
While some hedgehogs ignored the slugs others ate up to 200 slugs
without displaying any signs of poisoning.
Commenting on the new research into slug pellets Professor Glen said,
"There is no risk to seed eating birds under worst case deprivation
tests as well as under real field conditions." Referring to the
hedgehog research, Jane Lawler, head of marketing for pbi, said that
suggestions that slug pellets cause death of hedgehogs are dispelled
even in the rare circumstances when hedgehogs eat dead slugs.
However, she underlined the importance of spreading pellets thinly
according to manufacturer's instructions.
Professor Glen is the lead scientist in a project funded by DEFRA and
industry to investigate control of slugs in arable crops.
----------
I don't know what Meta-metaldehyde is - does anyone else?
From the website of the PR company that serves pbi who make Bio brand
slug pellets. I'm told that they fund a lot of Prof. Glen's research though=
I don't know whether this is true or not. It should be noted that pbi have=
done all the publicity on this and that the lab that did the work doesn't
have any mention of it on their site and nowhere can I find any details of=
the study - just lots of press releases from pbi. Apparently there is also=
some additive to deter pets from eating the pellets and instructions on how=
to use the product on a fold out leaflet stuck to the bottle. But I don't
think anyone ever worried in case seed eating birds would decide to change=
their diet to little blue pellets and the test for poison damage to the
hedgehogs seems to have been whether they dropped dead - I'm sure if they
had done blood tests and there wasn't any in their systems they would have=
said so!
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH CONCLUDES THAT SLUG PELLETS ARE NO THREAT TO SEED
EATING BIRDS
Independent research gauging the effects of Meta-metaldehyde based slug
pellets on British house sparrows has concluded that, used in accordance
with manufacturers=92 instructions, they pose no threat to seed eating=
birds.
The latest research, conducted at York=92s Central Science Laboratory (this=
is the lab of the UK Dept of Environment, Farming, Rural Affairs - k), is
the third in a series of studies that have previously investigated the
effects of slug pellets on hedgehogs and Japanese quail. In all cases the
conclusive evidence is the same =96 used correctly, slug pellets pose no=
threat.
The hedgehog and the Japanese quail studies were carried out in Germany in=
1996 and 2003 respectively. The British house sparrow study was completed
in 2004.
In the two separate bird studies the overwhelming evidence showed the birds=
deliberately avoided slug pellets =96 even when hungry. Birds showed no slug=
pellet related influence on behaviour or external appearance and even when=
birds had eaten pellets, no signs of toxicity could be observed.
As part of the hedgehog study, conducted at the German Federal Biological
Institution at Munster, the hedgehogs were offered a diet of slugs that had=
died from consuming Meta-metaldehyde based pellets. Some animals
reluctantly ate some of the slugs and others in the test consumed up to
200. All of the hedgehogs survived the study with no adverse affects.
Professor David Glen, Honorary Professor in the School of Biosciences at
Cardiff University, is one of Britain=92s leading academic experts in the
field of slug control. He concludes: =93The three trials were all=
independent
and well designed. The conclusion from all three studies is that, used
correctly and
sprinkled thinly on the soil around the plants being protected, slug
pellets pose no threat to birds or animals.
=93The seed eating birds avoid them and hedgehogs suffer no adverse affects=
from feeding on the corpses of slugs that have died from eating
Meta-metaldehyde based pellets.=94
Research conducted by Mori in 2002 confirmed that 77% of UK gardeners who
take control again slugs use pellets. Slugs are consistently among the top=
three garden pests in the Royal Horticultural Society=92s Top Ten Pests=
Survey.
Tommy Gill, managing director of pbi Home & Garden who market the UK=92s
brand leading Bio Slug Mini-Pellets, said: =93If gardeners don??t want to=
use
slug pellets, that=92s fine by us. All we want is a sensible and fact-based=
debate over their use in the garden. Too often we see totally
unsubstantiated comment that they pose a threat to birds and hedgehogs. The=
independent evidence is clearly quite contrary to this view. It is the
responsibility of gardeners to follow the instructions on the pack and
ensure safety.=94
Last year pbi and the RSPB, Britain=92s largest conservation charity, agreed=
a Code of Wise Use for slug pellets.
This Slug Pellet Code reads:
Use slug pellets wisely and, before use, always read the instructions on
the pack. It is essential that slug pellets are sprinkled thinly on the
soil and around the plans being protected. Ideally, they should be 10-15cm=
apart.
NEVER pile them. Always secure the container and store safely out of the
reach of children and pets. USE AND STORE SLUG PELLETS WISELY.
Bio Slug Mini-Pellets contain Meta-metaldehyde. Always read the label. Use=
pesticides safely.
END
Note to Editors:
Slug Awareness Week is 2-8 May 2005. The week aims to raise awareness of
slugs, the damage they can cause and how to control them safely in the
garden. Find out more on
They aren't iron phosphate, they are metaldehyde
kathryn
He He He! They probably already know.
Heavens! So we're going to have people stoned out of their minds on
slug pellets now? Don't tell the addicts!
JT Thompson wrote:
> I don't know what Meta-metaldehyde is - does anyone else?
AFAIK it is what - in my youth - we called "Meta" which was used as a
fuel for tiny camping stoves and similar functions. It came in white
chalky pellets to which you could touch a match and they would burn -
quite gently - with a hot, smokeless flame.
However, it was always labeled "Poison" and my understanding was that it
was a narcotic which - at one time - was used in carefully controlled
doses for sedating violent psychotic cases.
Tony
--
Tony & Moira Ryan,
Wainuiomata, North Island, NZ. Pictures of our garden at:-
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/cherie1/Garden/TonyandMoira/index.htm
NEW PICTURES AND DIAGRAMS ADDED 20/Feb/2005
