Slug Pellets and Wildlife Harm | Animal Welfare Hub

Slug pellets containing metaldehyde and other chemicals cause widespread wildlife poisoning in gardens and farmland.

Key Facts

Metaldehyde slug pellets have been banned in UK agricultural use since 2022 following wildlife poisoning concerns
Hedgehogs, ground beetles, frogs, toads, and birds are all vulnerable to slug pellet toxicity
Iron phosphate pellets are less toxic to wildlife but still affect earthworms at high application rates
Non-chemical control methods including barriers, copper tape, and natural predators are effective
Secondary poisoning through wildlife eating poisoned slugs and snails affects ground-feeding birds

Welfare Considerations

Slug pellet use causes unnecessary suffering and death in non-target wildlife, including species already in significant decline. Effective non-chemical alternatives make wildlife-safe garden pest management achievable for most gardeners without significant loss of effectiveness.

What You Can Do

Stop using metaldehyde slug pellets immediately
Switch to wildlife-friendly barriers, netting, or hand-removal
Encourage natural predators such as hedgehogs, frogs, and ground beetles
Raise awareness in gardening communities about the wildlife impacts of slug pellets