Enhancement of metal molluscicides by ethylene diamine disuccinic acid

Abstract

An ingestible mollusc poison contains a simple metal compound, an activity enhancing additive such as ethylene diamine disuccinic acid (EDDS) and derivatives thereof, and a carrier material edible to molluscs. In one embodiment the active agent of the mollusc poison may be in the form of a metal complex of EDDS. The composition may be used alone or in conjunction with molluscicidal co-active agents and/or fertilizers.

Description

[0001] Statement Regarding Federally Funded Research Not Applicable. field of invention [0002] This invention relates to pest control compounds and, more particularly, to compositions which are effective in controlling pest molluscs by enhancing the effectiveness of the molluscs in absorbing metal poisons. Background of the invention [0003] Terrestrial Pneumogastropod molluscs, such as slugs and snails, are important plant pests affecting commercial agriculture and horticulture, as well as home gardening. These organisms are omnivorous, consuming large quantities of plant matter in their daily forage. As a result, they can wreak havoc on vegetable gardens, and even plant crops, at all stages of the growth cycle. Because of their destructive potential, they must be controlled to ensure adequate protection of growing plants. [0004] Aquatic molluscs, including the freshwater snail Bulinsu sp., Bulinus, Biomphalaria and Oncomeania, as well as vectors of parasites such as...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the activity of such molluscicides must act slowly enough to prevent the slug from becoming ill and stopping poison intake prematurely before a lethal dose has been ingested (Henderson and Parker, 1986)

Many exposure poisons (e.g. aluminum sulfate, copper sulfate, borax, etc.) are not a deterrent to slugs and are therefore ineffective as ingestion poisons