[adri123]

So how do commercial growers avoid slugs in their lettuces other veg etc?

Would love to know the secret.

TIA

Adri

[mumofstig]

They use slug pellets/treatment the same as we do

http://www.getpelletwise.co.uk/qanda/the-slug-issue/

[Salmo]

This is the advice given to growers of vegetables. Still mainly slug pellets. Well worth reading right through. Lots of good tips.
http://www.ahdb.org.uk/slugcontrol/HDC%20Factsheet%20-%20Slug%20control%20in%20field%20vegetables%2005%20Aug%202010.pdf

If you use pellets please use those containing ferric phosphate. These are approved for organic growing as they only kill slugs and not hedgehogs and pets.

Methiocarb, the ingredient of most garden centre pellets is a nasty poison which stays in the soil and gets into our water courses.

[I Love Spuds]

Thanks for that Salmo, interesting read.

I had been using Metaldehyde ones. To my shame, I thought these where the safest ones. I didn't know about ferric phosphate 

They are going in the bin when I get home! I've looked online and the ferric.. ones are readily available at the garden centres and stores.

In my favor, I have not used much of them over the years, as unless I see really bad damage, I don't bother (laziness has helped me for a change!)

[Salmo]

You have to learn to use the ferric phosphate pellets.

With metaldehyde pellets you go next morning and there is slime and bodies everywhere. Job done.

When slugs eat ferric phosphate they go away and die. Put the pellets on evenly. When you look next day if there were any slugs the pellets will be gone, or fewer than you put on. Add more pellets. When you go next day either they will all be still there i.e. the slugs are dead, or a few more will be gone. Repeat until no pellets are being eaten or no more crop is being eaten.

There is no real need to cover ferric phosphate as it is only a poison to slugs and snails. It will not matter if pets/children/wildlife decides they are good to eat and any half dead slug will not harm birds or hedgehogs.