The Villanueva’s entomology laboratory at the UK Research and Education Center (UK-REC) in Princeton has been monitoring slugs and snails and conducting studies using molluscicide baits at both commercial and research sites for many years (Beware of Slugs Outbreaks in Soybeans & Corn in Kentucky). In 2024, at least 30,000 acres of soybeans were affected by snails in Central and Western Kentucky. In 2025, outbreaks have continued to occur in corn and soybeans across Northern and Central Kentucky, including Clinton, Wayne, Nelson, Woodford, and Harrison counties, (Beware of Slugs Outbreaks in Soybeans & Corn in Kentucky).

Despite the high cost of molluscicide baits, farmers are using them to maintain profitable yields. I believe the work conducted by my program, along with support from the Kentucky Soybean Board and the North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP), has helped farmers adopt bait usage - even at costs ranging from $20 to $25 per acre.

Currently, we are working closely with county extension agents and commercial farmers throughout Kentucky. If baits are not used, the cost of replanting—including seed ($40/acre), labor ($7/acre), and equipment ($8/acre)—can total at least $55 per acre. In some cases, replanting may be required up to four times. As slugs and snails emerge as significant pests in soybeans across many U.S. regions, some Kentucky farmers are now using metaldehyde baits preventatively. A few have reported that using these baits is essential for achieving profitable yields.