Here come the slugs!

[robbra]

After the dry period it's rained for two days and this morning lots of slugs and snails. In anticipation I scattered slug pellets near the beans in pots and got quite a lot,
What do you do to deter/kill them as pellets don't seem to me the best solution. All my plants are in pots but of course they can climb.
Rob

[Small pumpkin]

Nematodes. Brilliant and don’t harm anything else unlike pellets

[robbra]

Thanks SP,
That's a new one on me, looked up on Wiki, went right over my head(quite easy really)
Looks a more pleasant solution, not sure if the slugs would agree though. Does it work on snails too?

[Penellype]

A combination of nematodes (kill slugs living in the soil but not snails), copper tape around pots, "Slug Gone" (sheep's wool pellets) and removal of any I see. This works reasonably well, although it doesn't remove every slug and snail. If you go out with a torch after dark you can often find large numbers of slugs and snails and remove them.

[SarrissUK]

Yes definitely nematodes. It does have an impact on snails too, but not nearly as efficient as it is against slugs. My slug population is still not recovering from last year's treatment. Snails are more prolific now.

A fellow plot holder on my allotments has slug pellets that you spread very, very sparingly that stops them from procreating, for both slugs and snails. I'm buying some from him

[Vegi potager]

Using nematodes myself for the first time this year, there has been a significant difference. Hardly a lettuce nobbled. Started end of March when the soil warmed up and am expecting my last delivery beginning August. Hopefully by October the slugs will start hiding for the autumn. Snails are still around but just a few safe for GYO/pet friendly pellets on particular plants (sweet peppers) help with that.

Nematodes are not a cheap option but they are certainly doing the job on my raised beds and I get to drink the beer rather than filling the slug pubs.

[Dynamite]

Yes definitely nematodes. It does have an impact on snails too, but not nearly as efficient as it is against slugs. My slug population is still not recovering from last year's treatment. Snails are more prolific now.

A fellow plot holder on my allotments has slug pellets that you spread very, very sparingly that stops them from procreating, for both slugs and snails. I'm buying some from him

Can you let us know what the name and manufacturer is when you get them please Sarris.

Kind Regards.............Rob

[SarrissUK]

Can you let us know what the name and manufacturer is when you get them please Sarris.

Kind Regards.............Rob

I'll certainly find out Rob! I don't think he's mentioned the name or make of them, but he swears by them.

[robbra]

Very interesting replies, strange this morning, very dewy and many snails but only one slug. They come from the farm track at the back of the garden and then pounce. I've been throwing the snails back over the other side of the track and hope they toddle off to the farmers land and eat his stuff.
I like the sound of nematodes and will give them a try and would also be interested in those pellets too.
Rob

[MillieBee]

I use hair (either from my hairbrush, or I keep the boy's trimmings when I cut his mop) or wool (I have some alpaca fleece left over from a craft project), seems to have worked touch wood. Mind, I don't have many plants to provide barriers for! Can't see anyone with a full plot of many seedlings wanting to do that.....

[Lumpy]

Copper tape around some pots and a head torch, pound shop tongs and a bucket of very salty water.
I’m lucky as I also have a resident frog/toad and next door but ones hedgehogs who really do keep the population of slimiest under control.