slugs slugs slugs (and snails)

I have a big slug problem, they devour everything that's not in a pot with a copper ring round it. I have lost countless small plants and seedlings. Next year I am going to have to take action because it's out of control!

The thing is, I hate the idea that I have to kill any creature that lives in my garden. I have been vegetarian for 10 years. I also hate using chemicals, but I'm starting to think this might be the most humane option.

I was going to use nematodes, but my sister pointed out that they are about the most unpleasent and slow death possible for a slug to have - so now it's between pellets and traps. (daily manual squashing is just not enough!)

I know pellets are nasty but are they likely to give a quicker death than drowing in beer? How effective are they in comparison?

I know its a bit odd to consider slug welfare but I'd be a hypocrit if I didn't!

 

I am proud to say that after a good watering on a summers evening I return to the garden about midnight and smash them to pieces with my rubber leveling mallet. If I am feeling humane I collect the snails and put them in the brown bin for a last feed before bin men wednesday! On one evening in about 30 minutes I have collected approximately 50 snails from front and back. Failing that there is a product discussed recently on here which I am going to try next year which is everyone but slugs friendly but I can't find the link to it. Sorry.

BM

 

Trying to rack my brains BM, there was something mentioned, I can't find the link either!

Only thing I can offer is that I have tried an organic pellet by Vitax called Slug Off, which I bought from Aldi Stores.

I tried a test by piling up a barrier into a circle and placing a slug in it. He never got out of the circle, didn't even try! Then the birds got him!

To put this around every plant would be a nightmare and expensive I suppose, but I keep it ready! Snails are more my problem but even thats not bad at the moment, so havn't field tested it!

Hope that helps......

 

The product you are referring too comes as granules or a gel. Called Slug Stoppa, it creates a barrier which they cannot cross because it dries up their slime. See here http://www.harrodhorticultural.com/HarrodSite/search/product/Pest+Control%5FSlug+traps+and+barriers/GPC-197.htm

 

It contains Aluminium sulphate, also used in human antiperspirants because of its' moisture absorbence. Also works for snails.
This was where Hornbeam originally posted it:
http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=000077#000000
This was a good slug thread too:
http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=000060#000000
My experience is that no method works on its' own, you have to use different methods for different places, and a combination of methods will usually control the problem.

 

Does beer work thats what i had heard to put down or maybe they would fancy a drop of gin, probably got it wrong it could be for snails. rosa

 

Thank you all, that other slug thread that Liz posted has lots of good ideas. Sounds like this barrier stuff is exactly what I need for seedlings and hostas. And I will try BBQ ash as well (no bonfire :( ) If I can stomach it I will try picking them off and dumping in the park!

I have a very damp garden, mushrooms everywhere, probably only 2m above river level and less than 500m from marsh, so that kind of explains it! Plants love it though so can't complain.

 

They also won't cross shells or chippings (not pea shingle, they go over that - not sharp enough). Trouble is shells in dinky little bags cost a fortune.

I thought Aluminium sulphate was water soluble, so had to be re-applied after any serious rain? I have tried using the crystals of it, apparently quite effectively.

Another thing: get to know your slugs 'n' snails. The big scary yellow fellas are carnivorous, as are many other species - and indeed eat the veggie ones that do the damage. Its often the little dark ones that cause the problem but they are difficult to find and even BM's mallet won't help there.

 

when i went to spain years ago friends had a restaurant in the hills from palma just fancied snails as i had them in garlic in a restaurant in london. she said to me by the way i have snails for you picked them fresh off the hills early this morning for you. I could of died when she come out of the kitchen with the biggest bowl you could ever imajine, didnt really want them but felt awful i ate as many as i could and i was up ill all night, will never forget that experience have never ordered them abroad again sorry for changing the subject somewhat

 

It's a big favourite here, as well, but NOT with me, I might add :eek: In fact, our "local" taverna has a yearly Caracol Festival ... a snail festival ... and all you (NOT ME) eat is snails. I've never seen so many in my life in one place :eek: Also, you see the locals out all the time with a bucket or carrier bag picking them. My neighbour would come over and as she was talking to me would be picking snails off things and putting them in her pocket :D They boil them in herbs :D Sometimes they can't understand why we've not very keen on the local cuisine! :rolleyes:

 

I couldnt think of anything more gross than eating snails! eeeewww.

My heart went out to you Rosa when i read what happend with that woman. Well done though matey!

The slugs do love beer. I recently have stopped using the pellets. Hornbeam made me feel guilty about the chemicals and the effect it has on the rest of wildlife, so i stopped. In replacement to the pellets i've bought some of the bowl like things that you put in your bed, into the soil. You can put beer in it if want or water. They'll drown (at least if there is beer in there they can die happy and drunk!.. :D :D ) anyway, when you think the bowl thingy is full (it has a lid on it so you don't have to see the dead ones) you just empty it and re-use...Perfect!

 

I'm reading that as "flowerbed" as opposed to the one in the house? :rolleyes: Wouldn't want them crawling into there to get their beer! :D :D

 

yes L.o.L! eeww the thought of em in my bed...horrid things they are....as for the beer, im just about to crack open one...care to join me?

 

Have a V&T alreadym,thanks ... but enjoy and cheers ... or saude!