Nematodes

hello everyone

Mr DB has bought some nematodes specially for slugs. We are going to water them on tonight and see if they work! I'll keep you posted! :D

Has anyone else ever tried using them?

 

I'm sure the slugs will enjoy them.:D

 

A friend of mine used them, and said they worked, although they were relatively costly.

There was query on the forum a week or so back, about how get rid of slugs without using slug pellets, so I'm sure there would be some interest here in whether the nematodes work.

 

I would defo be *very* interested in any feedback you have! I've thought about using them a few times as I cant really use slug pellets because if my cat.......

 

Mr DB said they were worth after all his newly planted lettuces that he had grown from seed disappeared overnight on the day he planted them out! :D

I'll keep you all posted. On the plus side I did put some of that copper tape around the pots and that definately seems to work:thumb:

 

Hi,
They only work on slugs, not snails.

They are expensive and by the time they have worked, the snails have had a field day.

Snails (very large) are more of a problem for me, they climb to the top of all sorts of flowers, and climb up pots to get at the plants, even though I have the pots resting on feet, clever devils.

I go out with a torch at night,and pick them off by hand,

Cherrio

 

Try the copper tape on your pots makka, it works for me. At least with snails you can pick them off though, not something I wish to try with slugs (eeeuuuggghhh):D

 

Well Mr DB says he's found loads of dead slugs on his 'slug patrols', a few alive ones too, but mostly dead ones.

So far so good:thumb:

 

:eek:Hi,
Have you tried making your own slug traps. I use a shallow plastic containerabout 2 inches in depth with a cover or better still any cover that is slightly wider than the container so, if it rains water can't get in. Fill the container with lager, milk ,water with sugar or fizzy drink. I used lager and it worked well. Dig a hole just enough to put the container,but a bit higher than the level of the ground so, rain won't flow straight inside.If you want put a bit of soil arround the container so the slugs can easily climb up the trap. To put the cover, get 4 same length of stick,and stick it around the container to the ground to hold the cover, leaving a cm.1/2 space for the slugs to get inside. Put a stone on the cover to prevent it from being blown by the wind.

I have to warn you though, that this will look revolting as you can see yucky dead slimy slugs when you open it.

Sorry, for this long explanation and I hope it is understandable.
Good Luck!

 

Hi mnw1let, :thumb:yes we make these from pop bottles, cut a hole in the side of the bottle, sink the bottle into the ground so the hole is just above the soil, pour in some (cheap) beer and put the lid on. That way it comes complete with rain cover!

They do work but did not stop Mr DBs lettuces being eaten, hence the nematodes:D

 

If you have pots in the garden, I find smearing vasaline around the bottom of the pot keeps the slugs from climbing up and noshing on your flora.
I put some on a pot or two last year and it is still there doing the job to this day as it doesn't wash away.

 

Top Tip Fonzie, thanks! Cheaper than copper tape too.

By the way the nematodes are really doing their job!

 

Have heard that nematodes are meant to work wonders, but if they only work on slugs, not snails as well, then they sound like they might be an expensive gimmick to me; Afterall even if a got some to deal with my slugs I'd still have to find a way of keeping the snails off as well *sigh*

That vaseline tip sounds like a good one though! :thumb: I've had good success with beer traps in the past, but the results do start to look pretty gross after a while...