Slugs are already on the prowl..

I agree, the discussion about killing as an act will go on and on, for a reason.
So just to state out the obvious, a) to slap a mosquito on your arm dead vs. to kill a slug (a1 in garden a2 in forest), b) to personally kill a terrorist to save 1 child/ 20 children/ 10 scientists etc.... Yes.
I'm very happy to be in this forum where we rather respect one another's views and give room to personal differences rather than attact and bully. A big thank you to everybody for the spirit and kindness!

And about Slugs... I personally feel physically sick, just one fatty one on my yard prevents me from enjoying my evening cigarette. I use pellets for the tender plants but, controversially, thank the Sluggies for tidying up my woodland area in fall.

Slugs are needed but, in the area I feel I've claimed to be Mine I want to control them. Pellets are not very ecofriendly but as I risk vomiting with every action I have with the S mob they are the only alternative. At least it says on the jar that they go underground to die...

 

Selleri, try Nemaslugs. They really do work and are a lot more environmentally friendly that pellets - no harm to wildlife or pets. The company I get them from sell them at £10.00 for one pack, that works for 6 weeks and covers 40 square metres. Cheaper than pellets I find.

 

Hi folks.
I think that it comes down to it, as gardeners we are trying to create un-natural conditions and have a choice to make. Let the slugs have their way or protect our crops/plants. I have no problem with using pellets as to me, they are the only effective way of controlling them. I take no delight in killing slugs, it's just one of those things that has to be addressed.
Cheers...freddy.

 

I don't like the idea of scattering pellets (that attract the slugs) around my prized and vulnerable plants, as it attracts them even more! I tried crushed eggshells and used coffee grounds, neither work :( Not tried copper wire yet...and I'd need lots of it...

I still prefer to collect them whenever I see them lurking...that and encourage a few more frogs and toads into the garden.

 

:euw: Cutting slugs in half?!!!!!!!! Totally GROSS!!!!

I have a real problem with killing anything, ridiculous as I enjoy eating meat and am not unrealistic about eating living things. I suck spiders (which I am terrified of) up the hoover on the longest pole, because I can't even bear the thought of touching them with a barge pole. That totally awful crunch when someone squashes them. EEEUGH!!!!! I'm shuddering as I type!

I have no problem with the knowledge that the organic pellets I use will kill the slugs, but I cannot have a direct hand in it! I guess that is pretty hypocritical really.

 

I'm trying the nematode thing this year for the first time, hope it works well as I don't like pellets but have'nt found any other method that really works on veg seedlings. Copper rings work well for tomato, courgette, cucumber plants and vaseline smeared around the top of hosta pots seemed to work ok last year.

 

Really!? i didn't know that. Might iplayer that.

 

Most slugs eat dead vegetation at the soil surface - fallen leaves etc. Clearly they are good for the garden - hundreds of little natural composters that don't harm plants in the slightest.

 

Oh yes, it's the ones that have devoured my newly emerging Delphiniums and Day Lilies that I rather dislike...

 

Luckily for me, there is a large bird population around these parts, so slugs & snails aren't really a problem. If there is a particularly vulnerable plant (I try to avoid slugfood plants such as lupins etc.), then I will put a slug-pub nearby. I don't think I could bring myself to do the scissors job mentioned above as I'd like to think the slugs have a happy (if boozy) ending. I've noticed that the birdies don't eat alcoholic slugs, so they end up on the compost heap and get recycled anyway.

 

birds dont come out in the night though:hehe: thats when they munch my stuff:hehe: