(Slug) pub chat.

To keep off slugs I have successfully used a) slug collars and b) slug traps, also called slug pubs. In the pubs I use cheap beer, which we get given regularly, but don’t like ourselves. John Smith, to be precise.

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Having used them for years but being naturally lazy, I wonder what other people do. Do you have to clean the traps properly whenever you refresh the beer? Can you just top it up when the beer has gone down, or should you give them completely fresh stuff every time?
One thing I have found, is that slugs hide underneath. So early in the morning, even when I don’t refresh the pubs, I put them carefully on the grass for a while, so the slugs don’t bury in the veg patch, but disappear into the soil elsewhere.
It all works: I even sow lots of lettuces etc. all together in one slug collar, before planting them out in individual ones.
Thanks! Annemieke.

 

I don't really like the idea of beer in the garden with some watery snails inside. I will stick to crushed eggs.

 

I'm a hard person! At least they die happy.

 

The main slug that we are troubled with here is the Spanish Slug or (translated) Killer Snail, as the Swedish word for slug and snail is the same. These are somewhat different to many slugs, in the fact that a) they are social, and b) they are cannibals.

When we see them in the garden, the normal thing is to cut them in two. Then we get a beer, and wait....Soon, the dead slugs friends appear, and start to eat the dead one. So these new ones get cut in two. After that, its another beer and wait...and so on.

Positive aspects: We dont waste beer. Its a social event

Negative aspects: Environmentalists complain we hurt the slugs...and its not very social for the slugs!

 

I'm glad you're having fun Sandy!

 

food and drink event

 

All part of the fun of gardening...

 

Could they not be sold to a local French restaurant? Or even better, one in France!

 

I find the Hedgepigs empty the traps, beer and slugs. Either that or its Simon

 

That method is OK , unless you have the Croatian homing slug . They will make a slug line straight back to your garden , oh in about two years

 

Is the latin name for the Croatian Homing Slug "Migrantus Tomanius Calais" ???

 

I was weeding this evening with my weed wand and came across a slug........you only need a
few secs on heat for them to barbq

 

Brilliant, never thought of that, I shall be on patrol between 7-15 pm and 8 pm, or Emmerdale and Masterchef.

 

True, but dont forget to add the garlic...