Metaldehyde in the catchment
If metaldehyde cannot be kept out of water its use could be severely restricted or even banned.
This autumn consider reducing reliance on chemical control measures by adopting a wider range of options in your Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme to control slug numbers. If you do need to use chemical control this autumn, consider the use of ferric phosphate pellets instead of metaldehyde pellets and, as always, follow best practice guidelines.
Please see the map and graph below for monitoring data at 12 locations within the Thames catchment.
Latest Results
Metaldehyde concentrations have remained below the drinking water standard at all 12 sites this week. Rainfall so far this autumn has been minimal, and even the occasional heavy rainfall events have had limited impact. Soil moisture is still relatively low and temperatures are above average for the time of year so slug pressure may not be high at present. However as you may know, slugs remain present below the surface, ready to mobilise when the wet weather arrives, so please follow best practice if using any form of chemical slug control in the coming weeks (www.getpelletwise.co.uk).
Focus on… River Cherwell at Enslow?
The River Cherwell is a tributary of the Thames. Historically, metaldehyde concentrations in the Cherwell have been some of the highest in Thames region, reaching almost 25 times the drinking water standard in 2012 (2.49 µg/l). Concentrations so far this autumn have remained below the drinking water standard, however the River Cherwell is particularly vulnerable to pesticide pollution, so please consider water protection when using slug pellets or herbicides.
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