just answering Red Dahlia on Nemaslug - I have used them over the last couple of years. I apply in Autumn (in the hope that I will kill off some overwintering slugs and any planning to play happy families in the dead leaves) and in Spring. They do seem to reduce the slug population, although of course they don't get rid of them entirely, and I wouldn't want that - they do have a place in the natural order. I garden in the city and there probably isnt a hedgehog for miles. I did see frogs some years ago, but sadly they got that virus that turns them red and died, and I havent seen them since. Have never seen a thrush in my garden. So, despite the best efforts of other birds, the slugs and snails don't really have enough predators and nemaslug helps adjust the natural balance.
The only major downside is the cost really, nematodes are not cheap. They are also quite arduous to apply - need to be mixed with water, watered onto damp soil and the soil needs the same amount of water again. That can mean a lot of trips up the garden path with a watering can!
They need at least a fortnight to have much effect, and during that time the soil must be kept moist and the temperature needs to be above 5 degrees........ so although it's quite mild and damp at the moment, it probably is best to save your pennies for spring.
I use cat food. Seriously. Put out an old saucer with cat food in it. Repeat every day for a week or so. Then go out just after dark and scoop the slugs up. Once the scent trail has been followed by a couple, they seem to come from all directions and some nights there is practically a queue as they emerge from the flowerbeds.
Confession though, I don't actually scoop the slugs up anymore because (1) I'm completely soft in the head and actually end up feeling quite pleased they look so fat and happy because (2) they can't be bothered to eat the plants anymore because they prefer the cat food. So result anyway. Mind you, as I watch them stuffing their fat little faces, I do tell them to enjoy the moment as I'm planning on using Nemaslug in the spring, so they're getting fair warning
I go for the "Torch Patrol at Dusk" approach - followed by another round at dawn. After an intensive week of this treatment in early summer, I can generally enjoy the rest of the season relatively 'slug/ snail-free' - or am I just deluding myself!!??
I start to give plants a spray of watered down liquid seaweed from about March. At first I thought it was the smell the slugs didn't like but it must be the salt in the liquid and the spray doesn't do the plants any harm.
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just answering Red Dahlia on Nemaslug - I have used them over the last couple of years. I apply in Autumn (in the hope that I will kill off some overwintering slugs and any planning to play happy families in the dead leaves) and in Spring. They do seem to reduce the slug population, although of course they don't get rid of them entirely, and I wouldn't want that - they do have a place in the natural order. I garden in the city and there probably isnt a hedgehog for miles. I did see frogs some years ago, but sadly they got that virus that turns them red and died, and I havent seen them since. Have never seen a thrush in my garden. So, despite the best efforts of other birds, the slugs and snails don't really have enough predators and nemaslug helps adjust the natural balance.
The only major downside is the cost really, nematodes are not cheap. They are also quite arduous to apply - need to be mixed with water, watered onto damp soil and the soil needs the same amount of water again. That can mean a lot of trips up the garden path with a watering can!
They need at least a fortnight to have much effect, and during that time the soil must be kept moist and the temperature needs to be above 5 degrees........ so although it's quite mild and damp at the moment, it probably is best to save your pennies for spring.
I do it Autumn and Spring too.
Thanks for the info. Will research cost. do they build up in the soil or only effective for a period??
I use cat food. Seriously. Put out an old saucer with cat food in it. Repeat every day for a week or so. Then go out just after dark and scoop the slugs up. Once the scent trail has been followed by a couple, they seem to come from all directions and some nights there is practically a queue as they emerge from the flowerbeds.
Confession though, I don't actually scoop the slugs up anymore because (1) I'm completely soft in the head and actually end up feeling quite pleased they look so fat and happy because (2) they can't be bothered to eat the plants anymore because they prefer the cat food. So result anyway. Mind you, as I watch them stuffing their fat little faces, I do tell them to enjoy the moment as I'm planning on using Nemaslug in the spring, so they're getting fair warning
LOL I love mental gardeners!
I go for the "Torch Patrol at Dusk" approach - followed by another round at dawn. After an intensive week of this treatment in early summer, I can generally enjoy the rest of the season relatively 'slug/ snail-free' - or am I just deluding myself!!??
I start to give plants a spray of watered down liquid seaweed from about March. At first I thought it was the smell the slugs didn't like but it must be the salt in the liquid and the spray doesn't do the plants any harm.