Slugs and Snails
Four exotic snails of European (Mediterranean) origin and several slug species are established in Australian cropping regions and are significant pests of grain crops. Slugs and snails attack seedling crops, resulting in plant damage and yield impacts.
Snails, additionally, climb crop plants in spring and contaminate the grain harvest, creating significant harvest costs (harvester modifications, damage to machinery, post-harvest grain cleaning) and losses (grain value downgrades, receival rejections) for affected growers, and market risks for the industry.
Research on the impact of these pests in the grains industry has occurred since the 1980s, and GRDC has a history of investment in novel approaches to mollusc control, some of which are ongoing. The development of improved management tactics for snails and slugs remains a priority to improve growers’ profitability.
A new $4.6 million national research project is set to provide Australian grain growers with new tools and management techniques to combat snails, aiming to minimise losses and improve market opportunities for affected crops.
The four-year GRDC project is led by the University of Adelaide in collaboration with:
- the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI)
- University of South Australia (UniSA)
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
- the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
Latest news
Slugs
19 Dec 2022, Wet conditions make vigilance the key for slugs
Economics should be one of the factors that drives decisions about baiting and other control methods for slugs and snails.
8 Aug 2022, Latest GRDC slug control tactics now available for growers
Increased slug damage has been reported by grain growers in Victoria, South Australia and southern New South Wales after ongoing wet conditions. Some areas have experienced this pest for the first time.
31 Oct 2020, Chance finding points to new biocontrol for snails
Keen powers of observation and ecological understanding of University of Melbourne researchers have led to the discovery of a novel biocontrol of pest slugs and snails.
Snails
9 Feb 2023, Persistent researchers work towards biological control of conical snails
A project managed by CSIRO has renewed attempts at establishing parasitic flies in parts of South Australia, aiming to suppress conical (or pointed) snail populations.
25 Nov 2022, Multifaceted approach to combat snails in grain crops
A new $4.6 million national research project is set to provide Australian grain growers with new tools and management techniques to combat snails, aiming to minimise losses and improve market opportunities for affected crops.
31 Oct 2020, Chance finding points to new biocontrol for snails
Keen powers of observation and ecological understanding of University of Melbourne researchers have led to the discovery of a novel biocontrol of pest slugs and snails.
Slugs
Update Papers
- 22 Feb 2023, How do new molluscicide products perform in wet conditions
- 27 Jul 2022, Slugs – what can we learn from 2022
Publications
Slugs
GroundCover
- 11 Oct 2020, GroundCover Supplement: Invertebrate pest management: new frontiers November-December 2020
- 13 May 2019, Slugging costly pests with potential to damage plants and contaminate grain
News
- 8 Apr 2019, WA booklet consolidates knowledge on snails, slugs and slaters
- 9 May 2018, Growers urged to monitor and manage slugs and snails
Update Papers
- 22 Feb 2023, How do new molluscicide products perform in wet conditions
- 26 Feb 2018, Image analysis of slugs and snails in broadacre agriculture
Podcasts and videos
- 18 May 2022, Slug control across southern Australia
24 Sep 2015, GCTV17: Slug Bait Timing - monitoring techniques 22 Sep 2015, GCTV17: Slug Bait Timing - an agronomist POV - 22 Sept 2015, GCTV17: Slug Bait Monitoring Test
- 10 Sept 2013, Wet conditions put slug and snail baiting to the test
Publications
- 22 Mar 2021, Paddock Practices: Be on alert for slugs in the HRZ
- 29 Mar 2019, Mitigating snails, slugs and slaters in Southern Western Australia
- 27 Feb 2013, The current and potential costs of invertebrate pests in grain crops
Websites
Snails
GroundCover
- 29 Oct 2020, Renewed attempt at biological control of pointed snails
- 11 Oct 2020, GroundCover Supplement: Invertebrate pest management: new frontiers November-December 2020
- 20 Oct 2020, Snail trail entrapment
- 30 March 2020, Scientists import new biological control agent from northern Africa to target snails
- 20 Feb 2020, Crushing rollers prove effective against small conical snails
- 13 Dec 2019, Border surveillance helps keep exotic snail species out of the country
- 4 June 2019, Snail biocontrol agent sought from different shores
- 13 May 2019, Slugging costly pests with potential to damage plants and contaminate grain
News
- 6 Oct 2020, Snail control improves harvest efficiency and quality
- 9 April 2020, Baiting snails – success is all about the timing
- 2 April 2020, Autumn is the time to bait snails
- 8 April 2019, WA booklet consolidates knowledge on snails, slugs and slaters
- 9 May 2018, Growers urged to monitor and manage slugs and snails
- 13 April 2018, Bait before they mate – now’s the time to tackle snails
Update Papers
- 9 Mar 2021, Movement, breeding, baiting and biocontrol of Mediterranean snails
- 18 May 2020, Controlling small pointed snails before they lay eggs
- 10 Feb 2020, Determining the effect of lime on small pointed (conical) snail fecundity and shell strength
- 26 Feb 2019, Using image analysis to map snails
- 26 Feb 2019, GrainCam - Detect contaminants during harvest
- 14 Feb 2019, Snail research – optimising control
- 14 Aug 2018, Dealing with snails – the latest research findings
- 7 Aug 2018, Managing snails – latest research findings and recommendations
- 1 Aug 2018, Successfully baiting round snails prior to egg laying on the Lower Eyre Peninsula in accordance to environmental conditions
- 26 Feb 2018, Image analysis of slugs and snails in broadacre agriculture
Podcasts and videos
- 8 April 2020, Bait, bash or burn – latest advice on snail control
- 6 Nov 2019, Roll Out the Snail Barrel
- 4 Sept 2019, Snails slow to take bait in warmer months
- 9 May 2019, Snail baiting in southern Western Australia
- 16 Oct 2018, Snail Baiting as part of an Integrated Pest Management strategy
- 12 Nov 2015, Agribusiness Crop Updates 2015 | Perth | Using microwaves for weed & snail control - J. Moore
- 25 Sept 2015, GCTV17: Snail Bait - what to use
- 16 Sept 2015, GCTV17: Snails - quadrat sub-sampling
- 16 Sept 2015, GCTV17: Snail Bait Timing
- 10 Sept 2013, Wet conditions put slug and snail baiting to the test
Publications
- 1 June 2023, Nail the snails
- 2 Nov 2022, Paddock Practices: Snail management is a critical part of harvest preparation
- 5 Feb 2021, Managing small conical snails factsheet
- 22 Sept 2022, Paddock Practices: Take all possible steps to minimise harvest contamination by snails
- 18 Oct 2019, Paddock Practices: Be aware of snails at harvest
- 29 Mar 2019, Mitigating snails, slugs and slaters in Southern Western Australia
- 1 Sept 2018, Paddock Practices: Tips and tools for reducing snails at harvest
- 14 Jan 2015, Snail Bait Application
- 27 Feb 2013, The current and potential costs of invertebrate pests in grain crops
- 7 Sept 2012, Snail management
- 24 Mar 2011, Snail Identification and Control: The Back Pocket Guide
- 1 Nov 2003, Bash'Em Burn'Em Bait'Em: Integrated snail management in crops and pastures
Websites
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