Slug management

[northepaul]

They pretty much decimated my crops on the allotment this year, plus all my potatoes got blight!

Ironically none of my neighbours had much trouble with pests, but they use non organic everything. They certainly had a snigger when they harvested pounds and pounds of courgettes, and out of the 20 plants we put in, only one survived!!

Back to the issue, we are rubbish at getting rid of slugs - if we see them, we stamp on them/spear them etc.
But atleast I am not poisoning the ground or insects or other friendly/useful animals.....

[lettuceleaf]

Chickens like slugs. Mmmm... Will have to find out who keeps chickens in my area. The compost idea is out because I don't want to spread their eggs around and I can't possibly cut them up or spike them - too horrid for words. For the time being I'm back to the organic slug bait.

I do wish Monty Don had explained exactly how he "destroys" them. His website isn't functional and doesn't look as if it's going to be and the BBC gardening people aren't able to help. But people here have been very helpful. I welcome any more suggestions preferably those that don't involve gunge.

We've got literally hundreds of slugs in our area and they're the big fat orangy adults.

[veggiechicken]

My chickens would only eat the tiny slugs - even then they would shake their beaks and try to rub off the slime. No way would be they look at a "big fat orangey adult".
There really is no easy option with slugs

[chris]

Same here.. ducks on the other hand! They go mad for them, even the massive beasties.

If I had the space for ducks, I'd keep them soley for munching on the slugs

[madpiano]

Don't destroy the ones that feed on the dead bodies! They don't harm your plants! They are predatory slugs that feed on other snails on slugs!
There are also lots of slugs that will only eat decaying plant parts and would be really beneficial in the garden as they keep your plants healthy (a bit like maggot treatment for wounds) - trouble is, I can't keep the critters apart and this year we had too many of any kind, my seedlings didn't stand a chance!
If all else fails, catch them and put them into your bathroom:
Hate housework? Can't find a reliable cleaner? Try a slug.