Female slaters keep their eggs in a pouch until the young hatch. Hatchlings then leave the parent and are completely independent. Slaters grow through a series of moults in which the outer rigid skeleton is shed, allowing growth to the next larger skeleton and finally adult stage. During moulting the slater is very vulnerable and must find shelter.
Mulch, compost and regular watering favours the development of dense slater populations as they feed mainly on decaying organic matter. They help the breakdown of organic matter and can be at low population densities. At high densities, they can damage new seedlings and ripe fruit, such as strawberries in contact with the ground. Orchid growers report slaters feeding on the roots and damaging the growing tips of plants.
Cultural control
Where slaters are considered pests try to make the environment less favourable to them. Reduce compost to the minimum and disturb it frequently by raking in the middle of hot, dry days. Slaters shelter under objects in contact with the ground. Reduce the amount of harbourages by removing empty pots and stacks of timber, bricks and rocks.
Make traps from hollowed out orange halves or fill seedling punnets or empty toilet rolls with potato peelings. Each morning dispose of the slaters that congregate in the traps overnight.
Chemical control
Treat areas supporting high slater populations with snail baits containing methiocarb or use the iron EDTA baits which are safer around pets. Granular products containing bifenthrin are also registered to control slaters.
Warning: Be careful when applying baits to avoid the accidental poisoning of children and pets. Read the label and follow the directions.