Ferric sodium EDTA, also known as sodium ferric ethylenediaminetetraacetate, is a broad spectrum

molluscicide Molluscicides () are chemicals that kill molluscs. They are also known as snail baits, snail pellets, or slug pellets. These pesticides against molluscs are usually used in agriculture or gardening, in order to control Pest (organism)#Gastropods, ...

used to kill snails and slugs and protect agricultural crops and garden plants, and in particular to eliminate infestations of ''

Cornu aspersum ''Cornu aspersum'' (syn. ''Helix aspersa'', ''Cryptomphalus aspersus''), known by the common name garden snail, is a species of land snail in the family Helicidae, which includes some of the most familiar land snails. Of all terrestrial molluscs, ...

'', the common garden snail. Chemically, it is a

salt In common usage, salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl). When used in food, especially in granulated form, it is more formally called table salt. In the form of a natural crystalline mineral, salt is also known as r ...

ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), also called EDTA acid, is an aminopolycarboxylic acid with the formula . This white, slightly water-soluble solid is widely used to bind to iron (Fe2+/Fe3+) and calcium ions (Ca2+), forming water-solubl ...

(EDTA).

Mechanism of action and environmental impacts

Ferric sodium EDTA works by interacting with and destroying

hemocyanin Hemocyanins (also spelled haemocyanins and abbreviated Hc) are proteins that transport oxygen throughout the bodies of some invertebrate animals. These metalloproteins contain two copper atoms that reversibly bind a single oxygen molecule (O2 ...

, a copper based compound found in the blood of molluscs and arthropods which is used to carry oxygen, similar to

hemoglobin Hemoglobin (haemoglobin, Hb or Hgb) is a protein containing iron that facilitates the transportation of oxygen in red blood cells. Almost all vertebrates contain hemoglobin, with the sole exception of the fish family Channichthyidae. Hemoglobin ...

found in vertebrates, and typically kills snails and slugs in a matter of days following exposure. The compound is much safer than

Metaldehyde Metaldehyde is an organic compound with the chemical formula, formula (). It is used as a pesticide against slugs and snails. It is the cyclic tetramer of acetaldehyde. Production and properties Metaldehyde is flammable, toxic if ingested in large ...

and does not pose a significant risk to birds, pets, or humans so long as the bait is not consumed. Snails and slugs which feed on or ingest ferric sodium EDTA stop feeding almost immediately after exposure, and die within two to three days. Ferric sodium EDTA is highly toxic to aquatic arthropods and care should be taken in applying it.

Toxicity to dogs

Reports of dogs eating large amounts of ferric sodium EDTA have resulted in abdominal pain and haemorrhagic gastroenteritis, however, in all reported cases the dogs recovered after being treated.

Impact to Non-targeted Animals

Ferric Sodium EDTA is considered a narrow target pesticide. It will target possibly beneficial predatory snails, but its mechanism of action is not considered to target other possibly beneficial insects.

References

{{reflist, 30em Molluscicides Sodium compounds Iron(III) compounds