Slugs represent economically significant pests in agriculture as their feeding damages plant parts, subsequently impacting reduced yield, ornamental and market value of plants, and increasing the risk of microbial infection. Various non-chemical practices, molluscicides based on iron (III) phosphate and metaldehyde, and biotic
control with the parasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita are used for mollusc control. Among nvironmentally friendly methods of slug control, the use
of beer traps is considered. Slug traps are commonly placed between the sleeping and feeding areas. In a two-year study (2022-2023) conducted outdoors, we examined the impact of 5 types of beer (Union, Guinness, Paulaner, Chimay blue, and BrewDog Punk IPA) for slug trapping. The selection of beers was based on their different malt compositions, alcohol content, and quantity of hops. The research results showed that over 7000 slugs were captured in the beer traps over two years. Only two species of slugs, the Spanish slug (Arion vulgaris) and the great grey slug (Limax maximus),
were caught in the traps. In 2022, Chimay blue beer which has highest content of pentanol showed the best performance. In both years, the traps containing BrewDog Punk IPA caught the fewest slugs. Chemical analysis of the beers revealed differences in their compositions.
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