Spanish Slug (Arion lusitanicus). Photo: Larry Meade / Flickr
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Four cities in Finland are offering residents a financial incentive to eliminate the invasive Spanish slug, with six euros awarded for every litre of dead slugs collected.
The cities of Lappeenranta, Turku, Kerava and Jämsä have allocated 1,750 euros each to support the effort. Participants use the Crowdsorsa app, which tracks local removal of invasive species. The app has previously been used to control harmful plants such as lupines and Himalayan balsam.
The Spanish slug, known for its rapid spread and damage to gardens and crops, thrives in wet conditions. Each slug is capable of laying hundreds of eggs. In Lappeenranta, where the infestation is particularly severe, the city has begun distributing slug poison to residents free of charge.
Maisa Hautala, city gardener in Lappeenranta, said, “Last summer, the situation got out of hand. We received an overwhelming number of reports about Spanish slugs.”
Despite the financial incentive, public response has been limited. Toni Paju, CEO of Crowdsorsa, said, “I think killing slugs is more unpleasant and requires more effort than, say, cutting down a lupine.” He also noted ethical concerns raised by some participants.
Hunting slugs requires preparation. Participants must collect the pests using gloves or tools like scissors, tongs or tweezers to avoid contact, as slugs can carry harmful bacteria such as listeria and E. coli.
Effective disposal methods include cutting the slug in half between its tentacles, crushing the head with a rock, or using boiling water. For many, including local resident Eeva Koponen, boiling water is the preferred option.
“Cutting a slug sounds disgusting,” Koponen said.
To qualify for the payout, participants must record a video showing slugs being packed into sealed one-litre containers and deposited in designated waste bins. The video must then be uploaded to the Crowdsorsa app. If accepted, the money is transferred to the participant’s account.
The campaign is part of Finland’s broader invasive species strategy, which seeks to mitigate environmental and economic damage from non-native organisms. The ash-black slug, a native species often confused with the Spanish slug, is not targeted by the campaign.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
