Outdoor & Yard / Products / Slug and snail bait (garden molluscicide)

Slug and snail bait (garden molluscicide) — outdoor safety profile

High risk

Garden molluscicide pellets for slug and snail control.

What is this product?

Garden molluscicide pellets for slug and snail control. Available in two main formulations: metaldehyde-based (neurotoxic; causes seizures and death in dogs) and iron phosphate-based (generally recognized as safe for pets/wildlife). Metaldehyde is the leading cause of molluscicide poisoning in dogs in the US and UK. Iron phosphate (ferric phosphate) breaks down to iron and phosphate in soil and is approved for organic gardening, though some formulations add EDTA chelators that may increase toxicity.

What's in it

Click any compound name for its full safety profile, regulatory consensus, and exposure data.

Active Molluscicide

  • Metaldehyde — Neurotoxic. Causes acetaldehyde accumulation; induces seizures, hyperthermia, and death. Dogs are extremely susceptible. LD50 (oral, dog) ~100-600 mg/kg. No specific antidote.

Active Molluscicide Alt

  • Iron phosphate — GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe). Breaks down to iron and phosphate in soil. OMRI-listed for organic use. Some products add EDTA as chelator which may increase iron absorption toxicity in pets.

How to use it more safely

  • Use iron phosphate formulations instead of metaldehyde
  • Apply pellets in areas completely inaccessible to dogs and children
  • Use enclosed bait stations when possible
  • Apply in evening when slugs are most active

Red flags — when to walk away

  • Metaldehyde listed as active ingredient — Highly toxic to dogs; banned in UK for outdoor use

Green flags — what to look for

  • Iron phosphate (ferric phosphate) as active ingredient — OMRI-listed; low mammalian toxicity; breaks down to soil nutrients

Safer alternatives

  • Iron phosphate slug bait (e.g., Sluggo) — OMRI-listed; safe for pets, wildlife, and organic gardens; effective slug/snail control
  • Beer traps / copper barriers — Non-toxic physical/cultural controls; copper tape deters slugs via electrical charge on slime

Frequently asked questions

What's in Slug and snail bait (garden molluscicide)?

This product type can contain: Metaldehyde, Iron phosphate, among others. Click any compound name above for the full safety profile.

How can I use Slug and snail bait (garden molluscicide) more safely?

Use iron phosphate formulations instead of metaldehyde; Apply pellets in areas completely inaccessible to dogs and children; Use enclosed bait stations when possible

Are there safer alternatives to Slug and snail bait (garden molluscicide)?

Yes — consider: Iron phosphate slug bait (e.g., Sluggo); Beer traps / copper barriers. See the Safer alternatives section above for details.

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Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific information. Why we built ALETHEIA →