Whats the least painful death for slugs?

just stab the little b******s with a sharp twig & watch em squirm, that what I like to do!

 

AndyK,

Stake 'em out with toothpicks in the sun until they cave in and tell you where all their mates are hubby says

 

KG,

That one had one hell of a cold, wouldn't like to see wots in his hanky yeeuuk

 

Many thanks. Just been out at 00.45 am and caught 30 for the saline bucket. The grapefruit dotted around have done nothing and the beer trap only 2 caught. Apart from someone reporting me as a prospective burgler I will carry on with my night patrols.

 

I bet it was one of the slugs that reported you, evil little sods!

 

play a des o connor cd :D

 

I pleed guilty to actually doing the stabbing routine lately. They've certainly reduced since. I even see more in the front garden to which i dont partrol. So maybe the evil tactic works.

 

stabbing slugs!! suprised you not had a march outside your house and lazy long haired lay a bouts screaming murderer and banners saying animal rights ...SAVE OUR SLUGS....

 

What there's a 'Save our slugs' group! :eek:

Oh dear I'm a gonna then 'they' are sure to find me out...I think Bob's one of 'them'.

You haven't seen me ......right?
Helen.xxx.

 

Helen,

Ya secrets safe, i fink a lot of us have a 'way' of dealing wiv 'em

 

I am not so sure birds make that many inroads into slugs. They are not entirely defenceless. When touched they emit a very sticky slime. have you ever touched a slug when weeding, or perhaps when lifting a pot or seed tray that has one underneath? I find the slime is so sticky that it is difficult to clean off even with a scrubbing brush.Birds find the slime particularly awkward cause it gums up their beaks. Snails are much easier if the birds know how to smash through the shell.
I would argue that it is also difficult to create a natural balance in the garden. By our interference in creating artificial environments ie. gardens we produce environments that benefit pest species. It may not be possible to leave it just to nature and organic methods often require more intensive human interference than by using chemical methods. A relatively new product is advanced slug killer which are blue pellets. Based on ferric phosphate and harmless to humans, pets and wildlife. Available in the Organic gardening catalogue.
Have to disagree with walnut on this one. The nematodes are specific to slugs. They are not going to affect an animal that eats an affected slug, unless its another slug. Its not the same as DDT. Also DDT was never safe.
Organic gardening is not about leaving it to nature. You have to work with nature but usually you have to do more work in order to combat pests and disease. That is one reason why organic produce will never be as cheap as produce grown using chemicals.

 

So very true Geoff and pretty sad too, maybe if the organic way were a little cheaper and easier more people would try doing things that way.

I'ave tried the pellets way not very good I'm afraid I'll stick to the brutal way of crushing the snails and salting the slugs in a bowl of water that works way better although the new neighbours might think we are a bit potty hunting the garden at night with out torch! :rolleyes:
Helen.xxx.

 

Geoff what I said about the nematodes is they will kill all slugs there are about 30 species of slug only a few are a problem most do a good job clearing up decaying matter etc take for instance the large black slug(arion ater)most people are usually reviled by it yet it does very little damage in the garden will feed on other slugs dead anmals dog poo even so I am not a nematode fan.

 

So what slugs are the 'bad' ones then walnut? I've seen both black and brown ones in my garden. I didn't realise they dont all eat your plants.

 

Yes Walnut I just did not want anyone to think that hedgehogs etc might get affected - i thought that was what you meant. I was also being pedantic about DDt cause I know you really meant " we thought DDT was safe rather than DDT used to be safe"
I think the main slugs that are pests are those little black keel slugs and those white medium sized ones - don't they have a little bit of orange on them? i did once see a huge black one leaning over and nibbling a pond plant in my pond. I would agree with walnut a lot of slugs nibble away at decaying matter etc and in doing so form part of the breakdown process. My compost bin is full of some whoppers and I leave them be.
Snails though get squashed. Quickest and most humane way I reckon. No point in chucking them cause they have a homing instinct.