Non Technical Summary
This USDA SBIR Phase II project aims to develop an improved snail and slug control bait. Current baits in the market are not very effective due to their low attractiveness to pests, requiring high application rates and often failing to kill the pests. In Phase I, we created a prototype of that showed promising results. In Phase II, we plan to refine this prototype by making it more cost-effective, stable, and compliant with regulations, as well as testing its effectiveness in various locations and its impact on non-target species. The goal is to create a commercially viable bait that is more efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly than current options.

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
214	1430	1130	100%

Knowledge Area
214 - Vertebrates, Mollusks, and Other Pests Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
1430 - Greens and leafy vegetables;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology;

Goals / Objectives
The overall goal of this program is to enhance and optimize the prototype product developed in Phase I for commercialization.The Phase II research will focus on the following objectives:1. Efficacy Optimization2. Specificity optimization3. Field life4. Field performance

Project Methods
We will utilize - lab efficacy trials, semi-lab efficacy trials, and field efficacy trials along with the non-target studies.