Slugs...

[Holly]

Hello grapes!

Following some really great tips from the forum on how to prevent pests on the patch last month, I thought a poll on the best slug-deterrent measures might show some interesting results.


Tell us below how you combat slugs and snails, and feel free to let me know if your preferred method doesn't fit into any of the categories I've chosen!


Thank you!
Holly





Your comments may be edited and printed in the April issue of Grow Your Own

[vicky]

I use the organic pellets but only in the greenhouse where animals can't get to them.
I also surround choice seedlings with a ring of wood ash which seems to be unpleasant for the slugs to crawl over, you need to renew after heavy rain.
Nasties found outside the greenhouse also get sacrificed to the chickens!

[oldie]

Grow Your Own did a test a few years ago and Bran came out quite well. I have used it since then but coupled with Bio-friend slug banish and have few problems.

[Mrs Dobby]

We 'inherrited' some fibre matting rolls with our 2nd plot, about 50m in length and about 3m wide, on using them as weed suppressant fabric (planting thru slits cut on them) we found that not only does the white matting suppress weeds, but also the white colour warms the soil and reflects a lot of light back to the plants, resulting in very well growing crops and as a buyproduct, a very warm atmosphere at the soil, which seems to have persuaded the local slugs to leave our crops alone!

Other than that we have a large pond (frogs and toads are prolific on the plot), a hedgehog house (thats definitely being used) and do occassionally use the organic slug pellets from time to time, especially when planting out tender seedlings, but once they are up and growing strong we generally will remove slugs by hand (and give them flying lessons into the woods surrounding our plot)

[Aberdeenplotter]

If by throw elsewhere, you include - into a bucket of salty water, that is one option. Also, there are copper tapes available which slugs will not pass over as they are very susceptible to electric shocks. Some people put down gritty material including broken eggshells.

Interestingly, HRH Prince Charles in his garden at Birkhall up in Deeside, which I have had the pleasure of seeing, has the most magnificent display of hostas with not a bit of slug damage in view. The hostas are mulched with composted bark. A message there for us perhaps. Also in the main part of his garden Prince C allows ducks to roam around and they really love snails. The ducks aren't allowed into the Hosta garden so they cannot take the credit in there.

Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take photographs on pain of our whole party being ejected. Understandable security precaution but still a shame.

[Incy]

I think you need a 'combination of the above' and an 'other' option.
I have tried nematodes and whilst they were probably the most effective method they did wear off after about 6 weeks and are pretty expensive.
I sometimes use organic pellets as these do seem to work quite well but only on tender plants and in the greenhouse where we have ninja slugs who parachute in as far as I can tell
I also pick them off and will sometimes stick them in the compost or put them in the green bin as this is the one place where they can actually be helpful.

[coreopsis]

Pellets,beer traps,and salty water.I want them dead.I'm not able to grow any lettuces in the ground-last year I grew some lettuce in the pots placed on the old table.I haven't got a clue how the b****rs found the pots.Must've been flying

[Aberdeenplotter]

Must've been flying

Hee hee, well one of the options is chuck them elsewhere

[coreopsis]

Hee hee, well one of the options is chuck them elsewhere

Are you my neighbour?Take back your herds,I don't want them

[northepaul]

Last year, I actually used a combination of the autumn namaslug and then found out we have a colony of frogs (). Been maintaining the area they hatched or lived in, so hopefully they'll be back this year.
I had more problems with snails than anything and used to go on nightime hunts to catch them - one night I got 57!!

[tricky]

I search for slugs on both my allotment and the veg patch in the garden and love to collect them.
The reason , my chickens adhore them and they enjoy a tasty treat.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Are you my neighbour?Take back your herds,I don't want them

Don't be upset at the thought of slugs and snails being chucked into your veg plot. Apparently it has been proved that they are like homing pigeons and will go back to from whence they were chucked.

[coreopsis]

I don't think any of my neighbours collects the slugs,it was me who used to chuck them to their gardens until I kept finding more and more.Despite being very peaceful person I stepped on the war path with slugs,seeing my precious plants disappear overnight.

[Chef_uk]

Are slugs a problem in every patch? I'm planning on getting some lettuce in the ground in March and as it will be my first time am unsure on if to wait and see or be prepared?

[Aberdeenplotter]

Are slugs a problem in every patch? I'm planning on getting some lettuce in the ground in March and as it will be my first time am unsure on if to wait and see or be prepared?

Chef, put down a carrier bag with some soil in it (to weight it down). Lift it after a couple of days. If there are slugs underneath the bag, you will have your answer. You may even have some other troublesome slimy things like New Zealand Flatworm.