FAMILIES were being recruited as ‘slug scouts’ during half term as scientists work to fight back against the field pest.
Children were provided with free kits to trap and collect slugs from dark, moist spots in their gardens or from farmers’ fields before posting them to researchers at the John Innes Centre (JIC) in Norwich.
The mission will help experts develop novel methods of pest control.
Schools have proved an enormous help in the past, with pupils teaming up to build special ‘slimeries’ where slugs gather and can be easily collected. More slugs are needed to continue the work, which is part of the UK Government-funded SLIMERS (Strategies Leading to Improved Management and Enhanced Resilience Against Slugs) project.
“We received a terrific response when we put out calls for help last year,” says Tom Allen-Stevens, the founder of the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN), which provides the kits.
“Our researchers now need more slugs and we’re looking for special skills from those who volunteer to help this worthy cause. What we need are grey field slugs (Deroceras reticulatum) – the ones that really give farmers a headache. So we’re calling on those who can identify the right ones to send them in.”
Those who sign up to become a slug scout receive a free pack containing, instructions, an identification guide, plastic containers, tweezers and postage-paid envelopes as well as a badge and pen.
Dr Jenna Ross OBE from Crop Health and Protection (CHAP) said grey slugs, without adequate control, can cost potato growers dearly and alternative control measures are needed that are effective, sustainable, environmentally and societally acceptable, and economically viable.
"Researchers at CHAP and JIC are conducting vital research that will help us achieve this, but in order to succeed we need as many slugs as possible.”
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