Can't get nematodes from garden centre......a friend suggested SALT.......do you think a couple of pinches around a plant would be ok as long as it wasn't too near.......not sure.....I know it would affect the acidity of the soil......anyone got any thoughts about this?
FB, I wouldn't use salt. A bucket of salty water to drop them into, yes, but the salt will not do your plants any good at all. If you get a slug and cover it in salt, it's like some disgusting effect from a sci-fi movie. I didn't know about that until I moved into a shared house at college which had a serious slug infestation, not helped by one of the girls leaving food out all over the place, we had a serious clear-out one day, and found an apple crumble absolutely heaving with the things. She accused us of eating it! Next time we just left it out, and let her clear it up!!
FG, the bitumen paint is very good on rasied beds, but is black like tar, so if you've a veg patch covered in brand new beds, it might not be the way to go! It does dry quite quickly, so as long as you're careful, I don't think it will be an issue with plants, especially if you do it on a dry, still day (I know we don't get many of those). It's great for beds on an allotment, though, where looks aren't that important.
Two weeks ago I put organic type slug pellets around all my vulnerable plants (such as hostas) just at the new shoots had started to show. I then put big piles of pine needles in heaps over all the pellets / new shoots a really thick layer. My hope is that they will deter the slugs and as the foliage grows it will hide the needles. Then I'll be starting with the garlic spray. Will let you all know if all this works...
I used pine cones last year to tuck under my ripening strawberries ... kept them nice and dry and off the soil and it stopped the slugs.
Gardener and beekeeper in beautiful Scottish Borders
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
I experimented with taping a square of copper tape onto a paver and placing slugs and snails inside. They slide out over the copper with no hesitation...
Spearing on a stick for the birds seems like a wildlife friendly idea and hopefully encourage birds to search them out in the garden.
I think that I am feeding my birds too well. I can't remember when I last saw one eating a slug or snail. There have been a lot of them this year. Tidying up one of my shrubs recently, I was amazed to find a tiny snail tucked into the centre of almost every leaf cluster. There was no sign of nibbled leaves, though. Is it a snail nursery, I wonder? Unfortunately, I absolutely hate killing anything, and accidentally stepping on a slug or worm makes me feel really sick. I've tried catching the pesky critters and dumping them on the common land opposite my house, but I think they come straight back again.
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Can't get nematodes from garden centre......a friend suggested SALT.......do you think a couple of pinches around a plant would be ok as long as it wasn't too near.......not sure.....I know it would affect the acidity of the soil......anyone got any thoughts about this?
FB, I wouldn't use salt. A bucket of salty water to drop them into, yes, but the salt will not do your plants any good at all. If you get a slug and cover it in salt, it's like some disgusting effect from a sci-fi movie. I didn't know about that until I moved into a shared house at college which had a serious slug infestation, not helped by one of the girls leaving food out all over the place, we had a serious clear-out one day, and found an apple crumble absolutely heaving with the things. She accused us of eating it! Next time we just left it out, and let her clear it up!!
FG, the bitumen paint is very good on rasied beds, but is black like tar, so if you've a veg patch covered in brand new beds, it might not be the way to go! It does dry quite quickly, so as long as you're careful, I don't think it will be an issue with plants, especially if you do it on a dry, still day (I know we don't get many of those). It's great for beds on an allotment, though, where looks aren't that important.
MMP- I've used it on walls as a bit of waterproofing before putting soil in but I'd be wary of putting it too close to an actual plant I think.
Much as I don't care for them I couldn't put the slugs in salt or chop them...I'm too soft probably.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thank MMP.......will stick to natural methods of coarse grit........
Coffee grounds mixed with crushed egg shells,seems to work well.
Hi Folks,
This year I'm trying a new tactic ....
Two weeks ago I put organic type slug pellets around all my vulnerable plants (such as hostas) just at the new shoots had started to show. I then put big piles of pine needles in heaps over all the pellets / new shoots a really thick layer. My hope is that they will deter the slugs and as the foliage grows it will hide the needles. Then I'll be starting with the garlic spray. Will let you all know if all this works...
I used pine cones last year to tuck under my ripening strawberries ... kept them nice and dry and off the soil and it stopped the slugs.
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
Happy to report still no slugs at all...nematodes all the way for this gardener
just been on night watch, slugs crawling up my pots (removed) but not on my beans! there is hope ! PHEW
Spearing on a stick for the birds seems like a wildlife friendly idea and hopefully encourage birds to search them out in the garden.
I think that I am feeding my birds too well. I can't remember when I last saw one eating a slug or snail. There have been a lot of them this year. Tidying up one of my shrubs recently, I was amazed to find a tiny snail tucked into the centre of almost every leaf cluster. There was no sign of nibbled leaves, though. Is it a snail nursery, I wonder? Unfortunately, I absolutely hate killing anything, and accidentally stepping on a slug or worm makes me feel really sick. I've tried catching the pesky critters and dumping them on the common land opposite my house, but I think they come straight back again.