POSSIBILITIES OF ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE CONTROL METHODS AGAINST ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT SLUGS WITH EMPHASIS ON THE RESULTS OF DOMESTIC RESEARCHES OF CONTROLLING ARIONIDAE SLUGS

Abstract

Slugs from the Arionidae and Limacidae families are classified as an important economic agricultural pests. They are omnivorous animals. Slugs are sensitive to drying out, so they are active at night and in cloudy, rainy weather. They cause economic damage to the vegetables, crops, fruit trees, shrubs, grasses, herbs and ornamental plants. First reports of slugs control are dating from the early 20^th century. This was followed by an important discovery in the year 1934 when in South Africa metaldehyde was discovered. This discovery has brought significant progress in the protection of plants against slugs. The next major step in the development of molluscicides was achieved with the discovery of carbamates. Due to the proven non-target effect of metaldehyde and other substances with molluscicidal activity researchers are looking for alternative solutions in the protection of plants against slugs. In this paper we present a variety of environmentally acceptable methods of slugs control, such as proper soil cultivation, beer trapping, barriers and the use of so-called electrical fences against slugs.