The label is the law. Rates and restrictions below are taken from the product labels listed under Sources. Your product's own label governs; read it before you mix or apply. Mixing calculator · Disclaimer
- Active ingredient
- Sodium ferric EDTA (sodium ferric ethylenediaminetetraacetate)
- Chemical class
- An iron-based molluscicide bait. The label says its active ingredient is exempt from a food tolerance when used as a molluscicide on all food commodities.[1]
- Mode of action
- Ingested molluscicide bait: slugs and snails stop feeding after eating it and die within days; not assigned an IRAC group[1]
- Signal word
- Ferroxx (also sold as IronWorxx Slug & Snail Bait): Caution[1]
What to expect after baiting
Eating even a little bait makes slugs and snails stop feeding, so plants are protected right away. They slow down and begin to die within three to six days.[1]
You may not find bodies, because they often crawl off to hidden spots to die. The label says to judge results by the drop in plant damage. Named targets include the gray field slug, banana slug and giant African land snail.[1]
Where it is used
Scatter the pellets thinly on the soil around plants you want to protect. Never leave them in piles, and don't measure with kitchen utensils that go back to food use.[1]
Ring vegetable plots, berry patches and herb beds with a band of bait so slugs cross it on the way in. Around trees, seedlings and ornamentals, use a 6-inch circle at the base.[1]
Slugs and snails feed mostly at night, so the label suggests applying in late afternoon or just before dusk. Reapply as the bait is eaten or every two weeks.[1]
It can be used up to and including the day of harvest. Agricultural workers have a zero-hour restricted-entry interval.[1]
Products and registrations
| Product | Registrant | EPA Reg. No. | Active % | Formulation | Signal word |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferroxx (also sold as IronWorxx Slug & Snail Bait)[1] | W. Neudorff GmbH KG | 67702-33 | 5.0% | granular bait (pellets) | Caution |
Label rates
| Product | Use | Pests | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferroxx (also sold as IronWorxx Slug & Snail Bait) | Home vegetable gardens, fruit and nut trees, berries, herbs, ornamentals, lawns and greenhouses | Slugs and snails | 0.11–0.44 lb product per 1,000 sq ft[1] In a small garden that works out to half a teaspoon per square yard. Use the heavier end for bad infestations, well-watered beds, or after long stretches of rain. |
| Ferroxx (also sold as IronWorxx Slug & Snail Bait) | Commercial vegetables, orchards, berries, field and seed crops | Slugs and snails | 5–20 lb product per acre[1] Broadcast or row application with calibrated spreaders. Not for broadcast or aerial use over soft-leaved crops such as leafy greens and herbs. |
Safety and environmental hazards
People
Signal word CAUTION: causes moderate eye irritation. If it gets in your eyes, rinse slowly with water for 15 to 20 minutes. Farm handlers wear long sleeves, long pants, shoes and socks.[1]
Pets
The label's general information says it can be used where pet and wildlife protection is a concern. It still says to store it out of reach of children and domestic animals.[1]
Bees and pollinators
The label has no bee statement. The pellets are scattered on soil, not sprayed on blooms.[1]
Fish and water
Keep pellets out of storm drains, ditches, gutters and surface water. Apply in calm weather with no rain due for 24 hours, and sweep stray pellets off pavement back onto the lawn or bed.[1]
Common questions
- How much Ferroxx slug bait should I use?
- 0.11 to 0.44 pound per 1,000 square feet, or about half a teaspoon per square yard.[1]
- Is sodium ferric EDTA the same as iron phosphate?
- No, they are separate active ingredients. The Ferroxx label lists sodium ferric EDTA, at 5% by weight, as its only active ingredient.[1]
- Why don't I see dead slugs?
- After feeding, slugs and snails usually crawl back to sheltered places before they die. Watch for less chewing damage instead.[1]
Sources
- U.S. EPA Pesticide Product Label System, “Ferroxx (IronWorxx Slug & Snail Bait) master label label, EPA Reg. No. 67702-33 (EPA-stamped, July 12, 2023).” www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/067702-00033-20230712.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)