Australian pest control specialist Sundew Solutions is using its local manufacturing expertise to relaunch an outstandingly effective slug and snail bait which has not been available in this country for several years since the original formulation was withdrawn by an overseas producer.
Sundew’s new MethioSHIELD Snail and Slug Bait – which is now the only bait formulation in Australia based on the active ingredient methiocarb – is being made locally to fill a gap in the market for this farmers’ favourite molluscicide control according to Sundew Professional Solutions chief executive David Priddy.
He says the reintroduced version of this easily identified trusted ‘blue bait’ Group 1A molluscicide/insecticide, which is formulated for long-lasting performance even under adverse weather conditions as the slug breeding season peaks in winter and snail breeding intensifies in spring, has been welcomed by farmers across the nation.
“The previous product Bayer Mesurol Snail and Slug Bait, a farmers’ favourite for 27 years, was extensively proven on crops such as citrus, grapes, strawberries, pome fruit, stone fruit, ornamentals, cereals, oil seed crops, pastures, artichoke, brassicas, vegetables, head lettuce, potatoes, sun flowers, and common garden areas,” David says.
MethioSHIELD is included in the Australian Wine Research Institute’s (AWRI) 2025/26 ‘dog book’, officially titled Agrochemicals Registered for Use in Australian Viticulture.
This annual publication serves as a vital resource for Australian grape growers, providing up-to-date information on approved agrochemicals, their usage guidelines, and compliance with export market requirements.
MethioSHIELD's inclusion underscores its suitability for controlling snail and slug populations in vineyards, contributing to effective pest management strategies within the viticulture industry.
“Due to requests from truffle growers across Australia, Sundew has also been granted an approval by the APVMA under permit PER94352 to apply MethioSHIELD in truffle orchards for control of slugs and snails.”
Available in the same familiar 10kg carton and 150kg steel drum as previously supplied, Sundew MethioSHIELD’s key advantages include:
• Based on active ingredient, methiocarb
• High effectiveness – up to 30 snails can be killed with a single pellet
• Formulated for long-lasting performance even under adverse conditions
• Quick and certain killing power – snails do not recover once dosed
• Mould resistant
• Contains Bitrex bittering agent to deter non target consumption
• Australian-made
MethioSHIELD Snail and Slug bait is one of the latest of Sundew’s family of products approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, including locally made formulations for broad cost effective treatment of imported red fire ants and its innovative new Chariot 150SC Indoxacarb suspension concentrate insecticide within-formulated ‘wetter’ for horticultural pests including codling moth and white butterflies.
MethioSHIELD Snail and Slug Bait is currently available through AdvancedAg, Delta Ag Group, Elders, Growers Supplies, Muirs and Nutrien Ag.
