If that’s the case, it appears copper tape on my raised bed is working. I’ve just checked and the melon seedling planted about 3 weeks ago is still there. It’s rained for most of the week here.
Not sure if it’s because it’s better quality copper for guitars, the width or due to the razor sharp edge. I cut myself a few times when I was applying the copper tape.
Ps - I know everything is planted too close. I always do this and just hope for the best.
July 16th 2021- Exactly four weeks / 28 days since application.
5 min night search with torch
damp but no rain today
The earth has stayed damp or soaking since the day of the application.
14 huge, blasted Spanish slugs that have decimated gorgeous ladybird poppy plants plud three unidentified small and tiny grey slugs.
The packet says that re-application is needed after six weeks from the day of first applying, so I would imagine it 'stops working' after six weeks or efficacy falls off a cliff, or they are trying to sell you more product.
The nematodes seems not to have slowed down (what I am identifying as) Spanish slugs at all. If the nemamix is slowing down / eradicating other types of slugs, then it might indeed be creating a Spanish slug 'free for all' fiesta, as there is less competition.
@Woodgreen Here is a picture of the slugs drinking my beer happily in my back garden (not the test bed). Life on the edge. I can confirm that there were no dead bodies floating in the pool next morning. Nor can I see why there would be. Are they supposed to slip and fall?
@Fire. I don't know about your weather temperature but here it would have been to cold to apply nematodes on the 16th May. Although the right time by the calendar, it wasn’t by the weather. I used them a few years ago but far too expensive for me as I have a very big garden and lots of borders and beds. I have to own up to using a tiny amount of slug pellets on planting, no more than 4 around each plant just until they get them going, I also wait until the plants are big in pots first.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
@Fire I see what you mean! The only difference here is that I use glass and sink the jars further into the soil. And the beer is often past its best before date, but can't see that helping. But in they go, and then presumably unable to get out? I believe Lynn has a point, about temperatures when you applied the nematodes. But nothing beats a nightly patrol with secateurs, as others have found. I noticed on Gardeners World that it was stated that these big slugs, including leopard slugs 'may' eat other slugs. Hmmm, 'may'. I hope you can find a solution that works for you.
I don't know if all brands have good effectiveness. I saw some on Amazon with mixed reviews. I went for Nemaslug which seems to have the highest appraisal. I think it worked on mine. But not like slugs went distinct. I still go out every night for several times. But I did gradually found fewer and fewer. Still can find fat large ones nearly everyday. But I remember before I did the first application, I saw the tiny slug babies on top of nearly each grass leaves on the lawn. But now I do have to look hard and mostly only found near my young climber which was only planted a few weeks ago.
Another recommendation is Strulch straw mulch. I didn't have confidence to begin with after having tried all sorts of so-called solutions. But so far it seems to have prevented my newly transplanted veggies being chewed (TOUCH WOOD!). Not cheap, but it works and only good comments online.
Chilli pepper powder works too. But really need a thick layer everywhere around the target plant and have to reapply every often, and all get washed away in rain.
God this is the most awful thread ever (the photos!). Anyway I moved into a slug and snail infested garden a few years ago as a novice gardener. The only thing that works is going out and spearing them with a bamboo skewer and disposing of the bodies (or whatever gruesome instant murder you can dream up). I almost eradicated them but then eased off the homicide (slugicide really) and they are back, although not as much. I've been throwing their bodies into the backs of my borders but have just recently read that it simply attracts more as others will come to eat them. So the myriad of very small strong plastic bags I get from shopping deliveries are useful now.
Sluggo helps around specific plants too. Not sure about copper.. too difficult to do a garden with but have strips on some pots. Had beer traps and yes they catch some slugs but are awful to empty (liquid PLUS) slugs. They don't work on snails. Nematodes are too expensive and fiddly. Essentially you need to get the ones you see on your plants. The big ones. So nematodes don't help there. Ducks, and frogs apparently great. But im in London.
I'd never seen a yellow/Spanish slug before and had some enormous ones at first. Ugh. Now I have medium sized ones. And so much less overall. But as it's just coming into egg season I think now is the time to get as many as possible. Go forth, and wage war! We can win this with a well timed push over the top!
@Woodgreen Here is a picture of the slugs drinking my beer happily in my back garden (not the test bed). Life on the edge. I can confirm that there were no dead bodies floating in the pool next morning. Nor can I see why there would be. Are they supposed to slip and fall?
The slugs that didn't drown in the nightime.
They drown when they fall in. But this container has a nice grippy side to hold onto and they can safely drink away. Then slink off. Maybe there should be less beer so the level is lower and they fall trying to get to it? Also glass jars apparently are best. Or drink the beer (not that one obvs) and then go out with scissors/a skewer? Then it's the big ones that you get first!
Posts
If that’s the case, it appears copper tape on my raised bed is working. I’ve just checked and the melon seedling planted about 3 weeks ago is still there. It’s rained for most of the week here.
Much more likely to be hardcore drunks who like to swim.
I used them a few years ago but far too expensive for me as I have a very big garden and lots of borders and beds.
I have to own up to using a tiny amount of slug pellets on planting, no more than 4 around each plant just until they get them going, I also wait until the plants are big in pots first.
The only difference here is that I use glass and sink the jars further into the soil. And the beer is often past its best before date, but can't see that helping. But in they go, and then presumably unable to get out?
I believe Lynn has a point, about temperatures when you applied the nematodes.
But nothing beats a nightly patrol with secateurs, as others have found.
I noticed on Gardeners World that it was stated that these big slugs, including leopard slugs 'may' eat other slugs. Hmmm, 'may'.
I hope you can find a solution that works for you.
Another recommendation is Strulch straw mulch. I didn't have confidence to begin with after having tried all sorts of so-called solutions. But so far it seems to have prevented my newly transplanted veggies being chewed (TOUCH WOOD!). Not cheap, but it works and only good comments online.
Chilli pepper powder works too. But really need a thick layer everywhere around the target plant and have to reapply every often, and all get washed away in rain.