Slug trapping

[alldigging]

We all know slugs love to hide during the day so turning over bits of wood or pots will track them down.

If you put some plastic down (and weigh it down so it doesn't blow away) then you'd in effect be making a place for them to hide that you could easily check.
If you water it underneath then will it attract them? Especially if it's not rained for a while?

Am going to experiment I think and see what results I get.

[rustylady]

If the soil is moist when you put the plastic down you won't need to water.

[alldigging]

Might be worth trying one soaked as well as not soaked though ... just to see if they prefer the excess... or if it attracts them more.

[PyreneesPlot]

I certainly collect a lot from under the plastic covering my unused beds.

[alldigging]

I've cut one bag and put it out on the ground. Will see what it has under it tomorrow.
Ground damp so didn't water.

[marchogaeth]

The Complete Manual of Organic Gardening Ed Basil Caplan, pge 306 explains how to build a Pitfall Plot and in that it talks about how to encourage beetles. It explains the need to put down 'Controlled Refuges' as alternative sor in addition ie to put some slates/bits of wood/pieces of carpet down among the plants. This will attract slugs, which will in turn attract the beetles. It goes on to say that you should pick these slates up once a week to remove the slugs and their eggs.

[Two_Sheds]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

It works well. I turn the plank over, and salt the slugs underneath

[alldigging]

It's funny to see that as I had some rocks I used and then one of the thin planks I use for getting in between rows without leaving footprints