Garden Organic posted on the 20th December 2018 An announcement from DEFRA that they had banned metaldehyde slug pellets from Spring 2020. They say "metaldehyde poses an unacceptable risk to birds and mammals." The ban will also stop farmers from creating wide spread pollution of rivers and fresh waters with these toxic pellets.
Last year I trialed the ferric phosphate type of pellets which will degrade harmlessly in the soil. However, these pellets also contain chemicals (used as chelators) which can be harmful to soil life. Use them sparingly, only 4 or 5 pellets per plant, and only occasionally. They are 3 - 4 times more expensive than the Metaldehyde slug pellets, but generally people over do it with slug pellets not realising sometimes less is more.
There was a lack of slug pellets in the £1 & 99p shops last year and I suspect with the ban on metaldehyde slug pellets from Spring next year that any stocks they may have will hit the shelfs and be gone fast this year.
What I can't see until their isn't an alternative is the cost of ferric phosphate pellets coming down significantly for a couple of years yet.
If you feel you must use metaldehyde slug pellets then stock up now as soon you will not be able too buy them. There are offers all over the place at the moment Marshalls have Eraza Slug and Snail killer is on Clearance from £5,99 down to £3.99 for a 800g Pack so there are bargains out there to be had if you look for them.
I have to admit to having a healthy stock of slug pellets which I may add to before they go completely but I do use the pellets in pop bottle slug traps to protect the wild life.
In the mean time perhaps it's time to consider.....
All the above alternative methods are Hedgehog friendly, but not all are totally effective against slugs and snails, unlike Thor's Hammer
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