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Wool

benmin60benmin60 Posts: 18
in Plants
At last I have found a method of deterring those pesky slugs I have tried everything eggshells copper bands no luck but they dont like wool I collected a load from a local field placed it around the base of my lupins fastened it down with some straightened out paper clips and it works a treat.

Posts

  • ShepherdsBarnShepherdsBarn Posts: 401
    I don't wish to be negative ... but, I sometimes find that the slugs just hide underneath the wool ... so keep a watch on that! 🤷🏼‍♀️ I am a spinner so have MASSES of surplus fleece. I use it to line trenches for new plants; the fleece is great for holding water - holding up to 3 times its weight. Sometimes I need to tie back heavy tomato stems and I use a ball of fleece to prevent the twine from biting into the stem. Fleece can be used as a mulch and for many other things. 
    👍 for British wool!
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited July 2022
    I'm glad it worked for you. My slugs seem to enjoy the wool very much.  I put it out for the nesting birds in the spring and the slugs have a party. Wool is good for composting too. I line hanging baskets with fleece. Sometimes it comes with food deliveries.





  • benmin60benmin60 Posts: 18
    It is still working fine but thought at the time it might be too good to be true.  Will still keep up my slug patrol.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    ShepherdsBarn said:
    I don't wish to be negative ... but, I sometimes find that the slugs just hide underneath the wool ... so keep a watch on that! 🤷🏼‍♀️ I am a spinner so have MASSES of surplus fleece. I use it to line trenches for new plants; the fleece is great for holding water - holding up to 3 times its weight. Sometimes I need to tie back heavy tomato stems and I use a ball of fleece to prevent the twine from biting into the stem. Fleece can be used as a mulch and for many other things. 
    👍 for British wool!
    @ShepherdsBarn My NDN's keep sheep for showing and they gave me several sacks of fleece.  I've used it over veg - early days yet but most of my slugs are the small ones which live in the soil so quite enjoy a nice blanket !!.
    However, what I wanted to know was , apart from the uses you mention, will the wool rot down when layered in a compost heap with the usual ingredients?  I've not used it in this context before and rightly or wrongly, I keep thinking of human hair and how long that takes to break down.
    Would be more than grateful if you could advise :)
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I add my hair to the compost and beds and never notice it in the mix after a month. If adding wool to compost it will break down fastest if it's in small bits of floof rather than in large clumps - as with anything you compost. Mix in well. If adding wool clothes, but them up small.
  • ShepherdsBarnShepherdsBarn Posts: 401
    Yes, wool will compost well, absolutely!
    🙂
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Many thanks @ShepherdsBarn :)
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