slugs slugs slugs and more slugs

too many slugs this year, their munching their way through a few things in the garden now. 3 of my fennel are almost unrecognisable, and one of my petunia is almost gone. the worst is probably my hydrangea . . poor thing, alot of the lower leaves are now slug dung!!! what do you guys use to keep them away?? i have the blue pellets but i don't think there that great, seem to be ok for a couple of days but the slugs soon come back

 

just read that were seeing 2nd and 3rd generations of slugs here due to the wet and warm weather . . . you can tell too :-|

 

Do you have access to diatomecious earth? it works by dehydrating them. You may not see the effect immediately, but over a period of time. Sprinkle it around the plants and work it into the soil. Wood ashes sprinkled sparingly helps to get rid of them, too. Copper "strips" deter them. You need to have the entire bed surrounded, though, to keep them from coming into the area, but if they are already in the area I don't think it will work as well. Otherwise it's the slug bait for me. carbryl based is very effective.

 

I've tried the copper strips, worked ok.
Most recently I've tried the sunken bowl with
beer trick. Only got a few baby slugs, none of the
real big munchers.
My next try will be crushed up egg shells.
Not big on poison, too many cats and wild critters
to worry about.

 

I've used the beer trick too My worst garden enemy right now are the darn aphids and earwigs

 

gonna have to look that one up carolyn, does the beer trick work with cider too??? i can't waste good beer :-D :-D

 

I have snails,snails and more snails.I have tried the beer sucers didn't work that great.

 

Oh, the egg shells sound doable. they will stay really sharp for a while making them hard for the slugs to go through.

 

carolyn keiper, I have to disagree with you on this. When we put our mini Hosta garden in around the old oak tree we put copper piping in. Doesn't work at all. Slug bait does, along with beer in saucers. That's what my grandma did.

Barb in Pa.

 

If there are so many slugs, capture some, give them no choice but to be subjected to whatever method you choose. Find out what they do not like. See which method works best for you. After the testing is done, execute the remaining slugs by salt shaker. :twisted:

Jerry

 

Carolyn--I second your suggestions. Diatomacious Earth has worked well for me. I use it in a circle around susceptible plants. It is not toxic to people or pets. I find though that it needs to be replenished after a rain. I have also used strips of aluminum foil (not having copper to hand) and thought that worked too.

I think I'll try the egg shells. Anything that is sharp & cuts their delicate little s-l-i-m-y bodies.

Anyone know if a use has been found for slug slime? I bet is is good for something.

 

Lo & behold!!!

http://www.washington.edu/research/path ... 1990g.html
(The title of the first article is rather catchy: "Of Slug Slim, Spider Silk and Mollusks Shells")

and

http://everything2.com/title/slug+slime

 

I've heard pecan shells, a neighbor would save hers in a bag and hit the bag with a hammer them sprinkle them around the plants, they have very sharp edges! And make for a good reason to buy shelled pecans

 

Flash light, yes I found this to be the best solution when I had slug problem.... no you don't use the flash light to whack them! About an hour or two after dark, these varmints will be frolicking around your garden looking the most tasty and tender plant on the menu. Now this is the time to arm yourself with the flash light and pay them a surprise visit. Make another round after another two hours to get the late comers and after a couple of days once would be enough. You can get them just after rain too.

 

i've been going out most nights with a set of hand shears and a beady eye . . . when i spot one i chop them in half :-| its a bit grisly but someone has to do it :-D