Slug protection

Good morning last year I had disastrous results with my dahlias all 15 destroyed by slugs bur I am determined not to give up on them has anyone used this product before thank you

The price is £1 53p

 

Obviously it only works for plants in pots! But yes it is a deterrent - you'll still need to do the late evening patrol which in my opinion is more effective than copper strips for plants in containers.

 

Seaweed
If you have access to seaweed, it's well worth the effort to gather. Seaweed is not only a good soil amendment for the garden, it's a natural repellent for slugs. Mulch with seaweed around the base of plants or perimeter of bed. Pile it on 3" to 4" thick - when it dries it will shrink to just an inch or so deep. Seaweed is salty and slugs avoid salt. Push the seaweed away from plant stems so it's not in direct contact. During hot weather, seaweed will dry and become very rough which also deters the slugs.

• Copper
Small strips of copper can be placed around flower pots or raised beds as obstructions for slugs to crawl over. Cut 2" strips of thin copper and wrap around the lower part of flower pots, like a ribbon. Or set the strips in the soil on edge, making a "fence" for the slugs to climb. Check to make sure no vegetation hangs over the copper which might provide a 'bridge' for the slugs. Copper barriers also work well around wood barrels used as planters.

A non-toxic copper-based metallic mesh Slug Shield is available which can be wrapped around the stem of plants and acts as a barrier to slugs. When slugs come in contact with the mesh they receive an electric-like shock. The mesh also serves as a physical barrier. These slug shields are reusable, long-lasting and weather-proof.

• Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (Also known as "Insect Dust") is the sharp, jagged skeletal remains of microscopic creatures. It lacerates soft-bodied pests, causing them to dehydrate. A powdery granular material, it can be sprinkled around garden beds or individual plants, and can be mixed with water to make a foliar spray.

Diatomaceous earth is less effective when wet, so use during dry weather. Wear protective gear when applying, as it can irritate eyes and lungs. Be sure to buy natural or agricultural grade diatomaceous earth, not pool grade which has smoother edges and is far less effective. Click for more information or to purchase Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth.

• Electronic "slug fence"
An electronic slug fence is a non-toxic, safe method for keeping slugs out of garden or flower beds. TheSlugs Away fence is a 24-foot long, 5" ribbon-like barrier that runs off a 9 volt battery. When a slug or snail comes in contact with the fence, it receives a mild static sensation that is undetectable to animals and humans. This does not kill the slug, it cause it to look elsewhere for forage. The battery will power the fence for about 8 months before needing to be replaced. Extension kits are availabe for increased coverage. The electronic fence will repel slugs and snails, but is harmless to people and pets.


• Lava Rock
Like diatomaceous earth, the abrasive surface of lava rock will be avoided by slugs. Lava rock can be used as a barrier around plantings, but should be left mostly above soil level, otherwise dirt or vegetation soon forms a bridge for slugs to cross.

• Salt
If all else fails, go out at night with the salt shaker and a flashlight. Look at the plants which have been getting the most damage and inspect the leaves, including the undersides. Sprinkle a bit of salt on the slug and it will kill it quickly. Not particularly pleasant, but use as a last resort. (Note: some sources caution the use of salt, as it adds a toxic element to the soil. This has not been our experience, especially as very little salt is used.)

• Beer
Slugs are attracted to beer. Set a small amount of beer in a shallow wide jar buried in the soil up to its neck. Slugs will crawl in and drown. Take the jar lid and prop it up with a small stick so rain won't dilute the beer. Leave space for slugs to enter the trap.

• Overturned Flowerpots, Grapefruit Halves, Board on Ground
Overturned flowerpots, with a stone placed under the rim to tilt it up a bit, will attract slugs. Leave overnight, and you'll find the slugs inside in the morning. Grapefruit halves work the same way, with the added advantage of the scent of the fruit as bait.

Another trap method, perhaps the simplest of all, is to set a wide board on the ground by the affected area. Slugs will hide under the board by day. Simply flip the board over during the day to reveal the culprits. Black plastic sheeting also works the same way.

• Garlic-based slug repellents
Laboratory tests at the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (UK) revealed that a highly refined garlic product (ECOguard produced by ECOspray Ltd, a British company that makes organic pesticides) was an effective slug killer. Look for garlic-based slug deterrents which will be emerging under various brand names, as well as ECOguard.

• Coffee grounds; new caffeine-based slug/snail poisons
Coffee grounds scattered on top of the soil will deter slugs. The horticultural side effects of using strong grounds such as espresso on the garden, however, are less certain. When using coffee grouds, moderation is advised.

A study in June 2002 reported in the journal Nature found that slugs and snails are killed when sprayed with a caffeine solution, and that spraying plants with this solution prevents slugs from eating them. The percentage of caffeine required in a spray (1 - 2%) is greater than what is found in a cup of coffee (.05 - 07%), so homemade sprays are not as effective. Look for new commercial sprays which are caffeine-based.

• Commercial Slug Baits
You can buy slug bait at garden centers marketed under several name brands. These baits commonly use one of two active ingredients in their formulations - Ferric Phosphate and Ferric Sodium. Although both formulations are effective, there are significant differences in their chemical toxicities.

Ferric Phosphate, is on the OMRI products list for certified organic growers. It is non-toxic to people, pets, birds, insects, earthworms and other wildlife. Ferric Sodium, however, is highly toxic to wildlife. The most common brand, of slug bait, Safers, sells both kinds but they are packaged in similar looking plastic boxes. If you are buying commercial slug bait, check to be sure it uses the Ferric Phosphate formulation.

When applying commercial slug bait, apply thinly over a wide area and not adjacent to your plants. This is because these baits attract slugs but do not kill them instantly, so the slug can still damage your plants.

 

Very true, so it's best to use a good quality fresh compost in containers, don't be tempted to mix in garden soil or use any old opened bags. Slug eggs lurk in soil by the millions and will hatch out to replace any falling population of adults, so you can never eradicate them, only deter them.

 

Good morning everyone and many thanks for all your comments ,very much appreciated as always

@ARMANDII I have access to seaweed as much as I want,I shall try it this year ,hope it is alright to collect it from the sea shore is it legal

 

"Fresh seaweed has long been used by coastal gardeners as a soil improver and plant feed, but there is no public right to collect seaweed from the beach unless you own the beach and it is not designated a site of special scientific interest or a special area of conservation. If you plan to gather seaweed, it is always advisable to check with the land owner and the local council first."

It's a very grey area, Woo, in most cases you can gather Seaweed in reasonable amounts before some "Jobs worth" person challenges you. Some Councils, like Thanet Council [who seem to have a problem with too much seaweed] and have published this.......

There are lots of benefits of using seaweed.

Seaweed benefits

• Seaweed provides a habitat that is important for shorelife, including feeding for several over wintering bird species, notably turnstones which are found in internationally important numbers on our coastline.
• The strandline is an important habitat for species that help with decomposition of seaweed as it breaks down and reintroduces nutrients back in to the environment.
• Seaweed contains many benefits for the garden, including plant nutrients and soil conditioners. Seaweed is recommended as compost or as mulch as it tends not to have existing weeds with it.
• Using seaweed on your plants can help to make them more resistant to frost.
• Seaweed can be used as soil conditioner on your garden or allotment.

Seaweed decomposition

• While the tide pulls some loose seaweed back out to sea, some seaweed is deposited onto the shoreline.
• Storm surges can also deposit larger amounts of seaweed onto the beach.
• Once the seaweed collects on the shoreline, it starts to decompose quickly - this is because seaweed has very little cellulose.
• Seaweed breaks down into small pieces that either blend with the sand or continue to break down.
• The seaweed decomposes and many nutrients return into the beach ecosystem.
• Although in small amounts seaweed decomposing is often not noticed, in large amounts, and over a period of time, this can smell.
• Large amounts of seaweed can have a strong aroma and deter bathing in the sea. The council works very hard, on a daily basis, to remove as much of it as possible.