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A:
I'm glad you're concerned and want to find a safer method for slug prevention. Metaldehyde is very
toxic to mamals, birds, and even humans. Veterinarians report many cases of metaldehyde poisoning every year. It's especially
dangerous to use with a puppy around, because puppies love to eat everything and are more susceptible to poisoning. Metaldehyde
slug baits can be very enticing to animals since they also contain fruit flavors to attract slugs. Metaldehyde is fatal to
dogs, cats, and other small animals if enough is ingested and causes nervous system damage. There are many very effective
safe ways to control slugs. Sluggo and Worry Free are two brands of slug bait that are animal, environment, and human
safe. They both use iron phosphate to kill the slugs and work just as well as metaldehyde . Coffee
is also said to be great at killing slugs. You can also put a ring of copper around areas that you want to be slug free. The
copper causes a chemical reaction when the slug touches it, which repels them from the area. Enticing them to a different
area with half a grapefruit, apple, or other types of fruit can reduce the damage on gardens. Slugs will also drown happily
in a bowl of beer. Just dig a shallow hole and place a bowl in it with about an inch or two of beer. Just remember if
you feel these safer methods are not working as well as metaldehyde that dead plants are better than dead pets.
If you still feel the need to use it then either put up a secure fence to keep pets out or provide close supervision. Cat
climb fences, so if you have outdoor cats keep that in mind. Good Luck keeping those pesty slugs away. Bellow are some links
for more information and pet safe slug control:
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