I hate slugs

[SarzWix]

I must admit, I have a worse problem with snails than with slugs - I'm surrounded by dry stone walls, at home & the lottie, which are like snail hotels The nemaslug stuff doesn't work on them at all, as they don't live on the ground. At home, they get 'relocated' at high velocity onto the road - the birds like them once they've been pureed by passing cars I haven't found a decent solution on the lottie yet, although I think I spotted a Song Thrush a couple of weeks ago, so I've put a few handy flat stones around for them to use as an anvil

[lynda66]

actually blackbirds do eat slugs ...... i pick up the ones i find normally, and put them on the bird tray, which has the edge covered with vaseline and salt ...... and one or other of them is usually hanging around when i'm in the garden ........ the huge ones i stick in the compost heap, which i surround with slug pellets, so if they try to escape they die, but i cover them so the birds can't get them.

but having been away for the week, they seem to have been partying, and having millions of babies ....... and i really can't be bothered spending 3 hours picking miniature slugs off plants, have enough of that with caterpillars. ok they may attract them, but it doesn't really matter, as long as they die when they get there

[Joe]

the huge ones i stick in the compost heap, which i surround with slug pellets, so if they try to escape they die,

I read that it was ok to put slugs in the compost bin as they've no need to go out but as Lynda says they do try to escape. So what is the truth about slugs? Kill em in a soup and then put them in the compost? Or let them live in the compost? I've a plastic compost bin and after depositing about 100 slugs in there last night, I find most of them clinging to the underside of the lid this morning; horrible blighters. I'm doing another slug hunt tonight; torch, bucket, gloves; but I think tonight's bucket will have warm soapy water in it, or perhaps beer, at least that would be a tasty end for them and that would be ok in the compost bin.

Is it ok to put dead slugs in the compost bin?

[BrideXIII]

I have dual war going with slugs and snails, my nieghbours has both ivy and a virginia creepr, which the beggers just love to live in, and then come into mine for dinner.

The kids do a slug patrol every day, and i DO use pellets, right at the back of the beds to attract them away from the plants.
In the greenhouse, where I have the worst trouble, I have a slatted floor, and sprinkle down under liberally, so they are drawn underneath rather than up the sides, all the shelves have bramble suckers around them to deter them. the slatted floor can be lifted to clean out the corpses.
I HATE THE BEGGERS WITH A PASSION.

[quark1]

The ones I hate the most are those enormous ones, the size and length of a large finger - particulary the paler coloured ones and ESPECIALLY when they sail across any stetch of my garden in a frikkin' armada! Horrid if you tread, slip and slide on one in the dark when giving the dog a constitutional.

Vile, slimey, voracious creatures in search of their long lost fathers! Their close cousins in solid accommodations as well! Duronal's recommendation of an intro via the 'dating agency' to 'Mr Brick' fast becoming a serious option!

[lynda66]

can't see why dead slugs can't go in the compost, of just leave them in a bowl for the birds, if you've drowned them in beer .... although you may end up with alcoholic blackbirds

ewwwwwwww i hate the huge ones *shudders*

mine seem to have got back to manageable proportions now, i really need to get some ducks

[wiccanlou]

A cheap way to protect you plants would be to buy some twin and earth cable, strip it and wind round pot large enough to go over you plants or seedlings. I tried it with my brussels and it worked a treat shame the caterpillers weren't affected! You can also wrap it around the top, middle or bottom of large pots to.

[SlugLobber]

I tried copper around my beds, but I have masochist slugs. Crying out with pleasure, they were, as they slithered onwards to my veg. I use the pellets sparingly around the outside of the bed, in a trench (it's a potager-style bed, now). Easier to monitor dead/dying slugs like that, so I can bury them before the birdies spot them. I've gone back to using cloches for the moment, which does seem to have worked, for the kale at least. Not sure how to deal with them on the onion patch, though.

[squashman]

I'm sure I could be proved wrong but I'm convinced it's a war you can't win, if you can keep the numbers down to a minimum you are doing a very good job...whatever the method.

My favourite is the biological control squishbetweenus fingerandthumbus

[Demeter]

The b***rs have eaten one and a bit of my cauli seedlings. They ate some rocket too, but I feel more protective of the caulis cos I splashed out on plants rather than growing from seed... Well the beer trap has caught 5 small ones and there was no more damage the last 2 nights - will put down fresh beer before I go away and hope for the best!

[lynda66]

mine seem to have got back to manageable proportions now,

seem to have spoken too soon the %^&$*% things have eaten my one and only cucumber, it was nearly 2 inches long yesterday ..... grrrrrr out with the pellets

[Joe]

I've had a rethink about these slugs; I'm not even sure they are doing any good in the compost bin. Kill them all and make them into something useful. I've just read that they used to be very good for lubricating wooden cartwheels. Perhaps we could turn them into biofuel? Any other uses for dead slugs?

[lynda66]

lol, they must do good in the compost, they eat stuff then poop it out the other end, like worms ..... helping it break down

I was in holland and barrett the other day and found 'snail face cream' ..... nooooooooo..... not now not ever, (insert puking smilie) but maybe you could use slugs too?? it was expensive lol

[Wren]

There must be a market for slug glue surely! Its got to me the stickiest substance known to man kind. You can wash and scrub your hands but still it wont come off.
If you do use slug beer traps just make sure you empty them every couple of days. I left mine in situ for a week an the smell was so bad i had to tip it down the drain in the street because there was no way i could tip it on my compost heap like that. I could still smell the stench as it hung in the air all the way back to my house *retches*

[Joe]

lol, they must do good in the compost, they eat stuff then poop it out the other end, like worms ..... helping it break down

Yes, but I can't stand the beggars all over the inside of the lid, they've just got to go. Besides which they will be multiplying in there. Yeuch!

If you do use slug beer traps just make sure you empty them every couple of days. I left mine in situ for a week an the smell was so bad i had to tip it down the drain in the street because there was no way i could tip it on my compost heap like that. I could still smell the stench as it hung in the air all the way back to my house *retches*

I'm renching at the thought of this.

I did my bit for the Morrocan gardeners recently, I had some snail soup.