Garden Wildlife

Hedgehog Welfare and Metaldehyde Slug Pellets in Gardens

Metaldehyde slug pellets were banned for outdoor use in the UK in 2022 but ferric phosphate pellets remain available. Secondary poisoning of hedgehogs through consumption of poisoned slugs remains a welfare concern with some pellet types.

Key Facts

Metaldehyde slug pellets were banned for outdoor use in the UK from April 2022
Ferric phosphate pellets are considered lower risk but some formulations contain EDTA
Hedgehogs consume slugs and snails that may have ingested pellets, risking secondary poisoning
Secondary poisoning through ferric phosphate is less documented than metaldehyde poisoning
Hedgehog populations have declined by approximately 30% in rural areas since 2000

Welfare Considerations

Slug pellet poisoning in hedgehogs causes neurological symptoms including convulsions, hypersalivation, and loss of coordination, followed by organ failure and death. Secondary poisoning occurs when hedgehogs eat slugs that have recently consumed pellets. The combined effect of poisoning and the wider prey reduction caused by pesticide use in gardens reduces both individual welfare and population-level hedgehog survival.

What You Can Do

Avoid slug pellets entirely; use copper barriers, nematodes, or beer traps instead
Create hedgehog-friendly gardens with log piles, leaf litter, and hole-in-fence access
Report hedgehog casualties to BHPS or local wildlife rescue for pellet poisoning investigation
Grow sacrificial plants near vulnerable crops to attract slugs away from main plants
Support People Trust for Endangered Species and BHPS hedgehog surveys