Molluscicides, also known as snail baits and snail pellets, are pesticides against molluscs, which are usually used in agriculture or gardening to control slugs and snails that can damage crops by feeding on them.

Molluscicide are usually belonging to three main classes:

• Metal salts such as iron(III) phosphate and aluminium sulfate, relatively non-toxic, also used in organic gardening
• Metaldehyde
• Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, highly toxic to other animals and humans, acts also as a contact poison

Accidental poisonings

Metal salt-based molluscicides are not toxic to higher animals while metaldehyde-based and especially acetylcholinesterase inhibitor-based products are highly toxic and have resulted in many deaths of pets and humans. Some products contain a bittering agent that reduces but does not eliminate the risk of accidental poisoning. Anticholinergic drugs such as atropine can be used as an antidote for acetylcholinesterase inhibitor poisoning. There is no antidote for metaldehyde, the treatment is symptomatic.

See also

• Pest control
• Biological pest control

External links

• Overview of potential piscicides and molluscicides for controlling aquatic pest species in New Zealandhttp://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/sfc283entire.pdf
• National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) Information about pesticide-related topics.
  • Get Rid of Slugs and Snails, Not Puppy Tails! Case Profile - National Pesticide Information Center
  • Slugs and Snails - National Pesticide Information Center
• Snail bait and dogs
• Snail Bait Poisoning
• Safety in the Garden
• Metaldehyde toxicity
• Iron phosphate: The first honestly effective snail & slug bait
• EPA fact sheet on iron phosphate

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