Hello

[bharvey]

Hi,

I've joined the forum because my partner and I have recently got an allotment and are keen to make the most of it.

Thought this forum would be a good way to learn more about growing your own food and sustainable living.

My first question:

What's the best way to deal with slugs? Beer traps?

[Bigmallly]

Hello & welcome to the vine. Folks deal with slugs in different ways: Some use the blue pellets, some use Organic pellets then there's beer traps as you mention plus copper tape which apparently sends a small shock through them but must confess I only use pellets & crushed eggshells or similar rough substance.

[Mr Bones]

Hello and welcome. You could also use scissors

[Greenleaves]

Welome, yep scissors here too

[Bren In Pots]

Hello and welcome to the vine

[veggiechicken]

Hello bharvey and welcome to the Grapevine.
There are lots of different ways to "deal with" slugs - I have no idea what the "best" way is. It may depend on whether you want to be an organic gardener or not.

[Knight of Albion]

A very warm welcome to the forum, dear B.

Slugs: I go round late at night with a torch and a plastic cup gather them all up and relocate them on the other side of my house where they can't do any harm. No need for killing, no need for poisons ...

A good anti-slug, no kill, tip:
'Far and away the best course of action against slugs in your garden is a simple adjustment to the watering schedule. Slugs are most active at night and are most efficient in damp conditions. Avoid watering your garden in the evening if you have a slug problem. Water in the morning - the surface soil will be dry by evening. Studies show this can reduce slug damage by 80% ...'

[Raybon]

I watched a vid on utube comparing slug activity on various 'deterrents'.
They took absolutely no notice of the copper bands........

[Bal]

HI and Welcome to the vine Bharvey. You will find plenty of discussion on snails here.

[bharvey]

Hello & welcome to the vine. Folks deal with slugs in different ways: Some use the blue pellets, some use Organic pellets then there's beer traps as you mention plus copper tape which apparently sends a small shock through them but must confess I only use pellets & crushed eggshells or similar rough substance.

Thanks for the reply, think I'm going to opt for beer traps first. We tried using the blue pellets but they seemed to have no effect.

How do eggshells affect them?

Do you really use a spectrum to post? That is awesome.

[bharvey]

Scissors? How does that work?

[bharvey]

Thank you, what does it mean to be an organic gardener?

[bharvey]

Very useful advice, do you have any links to articles about the studies?

[bharvey]

O rly? Scissors?

[Bigmallly]

How do eggshells affect them?

Do you really use a spectrum to post? That is awesome.

There is a train of thought that they do not like rough surfaces. So eggshells, grit or any rough substance is supposed to deter them.
No, I don't use a Spectrum. It's just a bit of banter with iPhone users cos the iPhones' predictive texting is pants................