Reducing Slug / Snail Population

We have had an unbelievable explosion to the slug / snail population this year. Things have been attacked that I have never had trouble with before.

What steps to take to make sure that their large numbers don't create an ongoing excessive problem next year?

(Big garden, I don't think that nematodes will be affordable, but I'm open to ideas)

 

recurring post this one Kristen . I really only use Bayer slug pellets , in fact just spread a few more this week under some planters . May have another couple of spreads before the weather cools down and they become less and less active.
I did use beer traps 8 to 10 years ago which worked quite well then , but don't seem to work now ? There must be some other trap / bait out there that is effective and safe . Any ideas anyone ?
Anyone tried this slug-pub ?

 

Good article on slug defence here, unfortunately no answer !
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-Suddenly-slimy-blighters-How-fight-back.html

 

Multiple approaches work but you have to keep them going this year. Beer traps, nematodes, hand picking and now ferrous slug pellets have finally got them back under control. My garden's only 6m x 6m though and I've spent hours on it!

If I were you I would be setting up ponds for frogs and toads, and lots of bird feeders to bring birds in.


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Imo, the best (and possibly cheapest) option is to encourage natural predators. Things such as Frogs, Hedgehogs, Thrushes etc. Once they are in they won't leave and won't cost you anything to maintain. You have a pretty large garden too so you're more likely to be able to house them without them looking elsewhere.

http://www.haywardm.supanet.com/predators.html

You would probably need to create/buy habitat boxes for them, something which I did in my garden and intend to do with my plot too. Hedgehog boxes are probably the most expensive to buy but you can make your own from an old wine box like I did.

 

I'm going to try old copper piping next year,not sure how effective it's going to be but I've some lying around so I'll give it a go and also rings of grit around the vunerable plants.

 

I just bought lots more copper tape for all my pots. The ferrous sulphate slug pellets have completely solved most of the problem though. I've been careful to hide them from view and they're slightly less poisonous to animals. Nearly all slugs and snails gone. I'll use sparingly in future (hopefully very, very rarely) but at least something worked.


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My approach is generally organic there are a number of log piles around and a population of thrushes, ground beetles, slow worms and toads etc. I treat the vegetable beds with nematodes, I "terminate with extreme prejudice" any slugs or snails found in the greenhouse, the coldframe or on seedlings in seed trays and plants in pots. Any slugs or snails found during general gardening will probably also end up dead. Everything else takes its chance, this means that I have to grow dahlias and marigolds in pots if they are to stand a chance.
I do find that plants that have just been planted suffer more from the dreaded molluscs and if they survive until the next year then the molluscs are less of a problem with them and no I have no idea why.

 

Growing some French marigolds next to more important stuff can be a useful way of discovering the presence of a slug/snail in a greenhouse/polytunnel before it gets them, and they can be baited with slug pellets.

 

I've never tried nematodes (mainly because they look quite expensive) I read somewhere that the nematodes are non-specific and wipe out all molluscs. OK, I can understand that ... but are there any beneficial ones anyway?

 

My understanding is that they are less effective against snails.
I agree on the cost though it is not a cheap solution for a large garden.
For more information http://www.beckerunderwood.com/productsservices/nemaslug-/