Zemgale and Lithuanian municipalities join forces to curb the Spanish slug

The Zemgale Planning Region (ZPR) is carrying out the project “Slugaway” together with six Latvian and Lithuanian municipalities, aiming to limit the spread of the invasive Spanish slug. The information came from Agnese Launerte, ZPR public relations specialist. The practical phase began last week with an opening meeting in Jelgava. Total funding is 1,248,783 euros, of which 999,026 euros comes from the European Regional Development Fund.

The project's authors say human economic activity and climate change are helping the Spanish slug spread rapidly. It threatens biodiversity, ecosystems and residents' home gardens in both countries.

From “Invago” to “Slugaway”

The project started in June and will last two years. It follows “Invago”, in which methods for controlling various invasive species were tested in the partners' territories. Data gathered in Bērvircava, in Jelgava municipality, show that the slug cannot be beaten with a single method, so a comprehensive approach is needed. “Slugaway” envisages a full-cycle model, from regular mowing and slug collection to safe destruction.

What the municipalities will do

In Bauska municipality, collected biomass will be processed before disposal in a mobile thermal unit, destroying slugs and their eggs with hot steam at a temperature of at least 70 degrees. Jēkabpils municipality will build composting sites with an asphalt base and protective barriers, while Dobele municipality will set up five publicly accessible composting sites. Jelgava municipality will provide lockable biomass storage containers at all 16 of its parish administrations.

In Lithuania, Plungė district will use specialised freezers, freezing collected slugs before handing them to a recycling company. Klaipėda district will introduce mechanised mowing in all 11 of its parishes, using robotic lawn mowers and tractors to remove the damp microclimate that slugs favour. Kretinga district will draw up detailed action plans.

Involving residents

The Latvian–Lithuanian border area is to host 45 clean-up events and training sessions, attracting more than 1,500 participants. Households will receive more than 3,000 control kits free of charge, containing gardening gloves, tongs, lockable buckets, copper tape and iron phosphate granules. The results will finally be compiled into a single action protocol.