polytunnel pests

[nat'n'lou]

Hi
Last year we bought a small polytunnel for the back garden and had great plans! However slugs and snails had other ideas.
They first decimated all of the kids sunflowers then they moved onto the peppers and chillies and then when there was nothing else they started on the tom's.
I am trying to be chemical free this year and was wondering if anyone had any success with diatomacious earth against slugs and snails?
Cheers
Nat

[WendyC]

Never heard if it used for slugs and snails. Have you tried beer traps or surrounding plants with grit. Going out every night with a torch and removing them is very effective in reducing numbers. As it checking the underside of pots and module trays during the day when they are not active. What did you try last year?

[Bren In Pots]

Nat an Lou until you get replies I've found some older thread for you to read :-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ies_81633.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...cas_67046.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ent_61502.html

hope this helps

[Jungle Jane]

What if a ladybird walks through the powder,or a pollinator comes into contact? I don't use any pesticides. I do the nightly slug walks,use copper tape,beer traps & sow French Marigolds as trap crops. I went out to look at my runner beans one night,checking for slugs-none,but about 12inches away my marigolds were covered,5 slugs on one of the plants & it makes them easy to find

[Vince G]

I think I'd hand pick them off then when you're fairly sure you've got as many as you can that way, use copper tape round the doorstep and frame of the door

[Jungle Jane]

Another tip - make a circle of sand around the plants,but not where you will be watering. I made a sand barrier last year near my sunflowers/corn,have to re-apply it if it rains,but might last longer under a polytunnel. I always find loads of slug eggs when I'm taking the old compost out my pots in the spring,i spread it all by the bird feeders,hopefully they find them & eat them

[marchogaeth]

I would honestly consider using organic slug pellets, sometimes I have to put these out despite going round with the scissors (very satisfying cutting the b3gg3rs in half) - depends on your definition of chemical.

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

I am hoping they like rank cider. I made a 40 pt kit and it is awful. I must remember to put the traps out tomorrow.

Had an email from Green Gardener about Nemaslug, may get some this year to save a bit of faff.

My mum used to perilously dangle out of her wheelchair to dispatch slugs with scissors. I have inherited her murderous instinct. I have dedicated slug scissors.

[nat'n'lou]

Well thank you all for such a great response !
Sorry for my seemingly slow replies but for some reason all the posts i do with my phone are not showing up on the thread, so heres me thinking i'm being polite and responsive but in reality...oh well i will get to the bottom of it
Hadnt really thought about the 'blue on blue' possibility of using diatom and thanks to your replies, I think I will endevour with beer, egg shells, organic pellets, night time sorties with scissors n salt!...

cheers nat