Lessons from the Yorke Peninsula to improve snail baiting effectiveness

Applying snail bait with a spreader after seeding is a common control method on Yorke Peninsula but recent research has shown growers need to adjust their spreader settings for more effective coverage.

Key Points

• The size and density of a bait pellet determines the distance it is spread
• Spreaders are designed for use with fertiliser so snail and slug bait is not spread as widely as farmers may expect. This effect was demonstrated in a recent trial on Yorke Peninsula
• Fragmentation of baits can occur, reducing the number of effective baits
• Growers must calibrate their spreaders especially for snail bait to achieve optimal bait coverage
• Ute spreaders provide an uneven distribution of snail and slug bait.