Bonide Captain Jack's Slug Magic Granules (Iron Phosphate) Review (2026)
By The DIYPicks Team · Updated July 2026
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- Slugs
- Snails
- Pet safer
- Organic gardens
A low-toxicity iron-phosphate slug and snail bait that's a close match for Sluggo at a lower price. It's labeled safe around pets and wildlife used as directed, works around edibles per the label, and keeps going after rain. Slugs stop feeding fast but take a few days to die, and it needs reapplying every week or two, so scatter it thinly (never in piles), reapply after storms, and store it sealed.
Pros
- Iron-phosphate bait is much lower-toxicity than old metaldehyde products and is labeled safe around pets and wildlife when used as directed
- OMRI-type organic formula can be scattered around edible crops per the label
- Pellets keep working after rain or watering and break down into the soil
Cons
- Slugs stop feeding fast but take several days to die, so damage doesn't halt instantly
- Needs reapplication every week or two and after heavy rain to stay effective
- 'Pet-safer' is not 'pet-proof' — keep bait scattered thinly, never in piles, and store sealed away from animals
Specifications
| Active ingredient | Iron phosphate |
|---|---|
| Organic | For organic gardening |
| Coverage | About 1 lb treats 1,000 sq ft |
| Safety | Safe around pets and wildlife when used as directed |
| Speed | Slugs stop feeding quickly; die within 3-6 days |