Cucumbers, they're the answer I'm told. Could be a leg pull, a joke at my expense we shall see. Put slices of cucumbers in a dish or tray. 1st put in a layer of dampened soil and a sprinkling of slug pellets-- the ones containing Ferric Phosphate -- Make up a few and place them where you think they should go.I shall go outside around midnight and report back sometime. Maybe!!
I would ONLY go out at midnight , if the moon is full, with a big powerful torch, and a big boar badger for ultimate protection. Wear good foot gear so's you don't slide on the slugs or cut your feet on the crunched snail shells !
On a roll tonight ! There's a nice little chappie on youtube, doing a homely video on natural slug control ! So, just google into youtube and natural slug control, sit back and enjoy.
and a lot of the snails and slugs seem to congreMr T suggested leaving pieces of wood and slate in handy places as day-time hidy holes for slugs and turning these over during the day to provide a feast for the birds. Ground beetles find theses a good refuge too and they will prey on the slugs.
The nematode option might work at this time of year now that it's getting warmer and the nematodes can thrive. Some folk advise watering these in around the hedge area and a lot of the beasties seem to congregate around there in my garden. Trouble is the nematodes don't work against snails and they don't always seem interested in the pellets I offer them - tem more modern ones are supposed to be wild-life friendly. Hope this is of some help.
Nematodes, are both expensive and short term. I wouldn't think of using them. I've tried using a catapult but the slugs kept sliding out of the pouch !
And another thing............. why do slugs leave a trail along the path, in a series of 'dashes'.? It looks as tho' they hop !! That's ALL we need ! Leap frogging slugs !
Salting slugs to me, is a completely unacceptable way of dealing with slugs ! It doesn't matter how slimy or destructive they are, I cannot think of a more loathsome way of dying. Perhaps we need to re-asses the situation and prevent rather than cure. The dried bramble sticks, broken down to make a painful path for the critturs seems fair enuff. OK, it might make preparation for the next crops difficult, BUT one could live with one's conscience easier, I think. After all, these molluscs have been around for millions of years, and we as a species have been here only for the blink of an eye.
On the other hand, hire the services of a friendly neighbourhood badger. Then it would be a win win situation.Badger has a full nutritious belly, and you have the equivalent of a machine gunned veg patch !
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Cucumbers, they're the answer I'm told. Could be a leg pull, a joke at my expense we shall see. Put slices of cucumbers in a dish or tray. 1st put in a layer of dampened soil and a sprinkling of slug pellets-- the ones containing Ferric Phosphate -- Make up a few and place them where you think they should go.I shall go outside around midnight and report back sometime. Maybe!!
I would ONLY go out at midnight , if the moon is full, with a big powerful torch, and a big boar badger for ultimate protection. Wear good foot gear so's you don't slide on the slugs or cut your feet on the crunched snail shells !
And don't forget to feed the badger !
On a roll tonight ! There's a nice little chappie on youtube, doing a homely video on natural slug control ! So, just google into youtube and natural slug control, sit back and enjoy.
G'night all!
tsk
and a lot of the snails and slugs seem to congreMr T suggested leaving pieces of wood and slate in handy places as day-time hidy holes for slugs and turning these over during the day to provide a feast for the birds. Ground beetles find theses a good refuge too and they will prey on the slugs.
The nematode option might work at this time of year now that it's getting warmer and the nematodes can thrive. Some folk advise watering these in around the hedge area and a lot of the beasties seem to congregate around there in my garden. Trouble is the nematodes don't work against snails and they don't always seem interested in the pellets I offer them - tem more modern ones are supposed to be wild-life friendly. Hope this is of some help.
Nematodes, are both expensive and short term. I wouldn't think of using them. I've tried using a catapult but the slugs kept sliding out of the pouch !
And another thing............. why do slugs leave a trail along the path, in a series of 'dashes'.? It looks as tho' they hop !! That's ALL we need ! Leap frogging slugs !
O M G !
Two lettuce patches, one completely surrounded with old, dry bramble branches the other not protected at all.
Finding: Unprotected area not a single lettuce left,. Bramble area, not a single lettuce touched.
Conclusion: Brambles deter slugs.
Note: Use the really dead, brown, dry bramble otherwise it could re-root and take over your garden and even slugs and snails are preferable to that!
KT53 Your thing on the slug and snail debate is great. Buy 12 , 2 for the beer trap and the rest for you is CLASSIC X
Salting slugs to me, is a completely unacceptable way of dealing with slugs ! It doesn't matter how slimy or destructive they are, I cannot think of a more loathsome way of dying. Perhaps we need to re-asses the situation and prevent rather than cure. The dried bramble sticks, broken down to make a painful path for the critturs seems fair enuff. OK, it might make preparation for the next crops difficult, BUT one could live with one's conscience easier, I think. After all, these molluscs have been around for millions of years, and we as a species have been here only for the blink of an eye.
On the other hand, hire the services of a friendly neighbourhood badger. Then it would be a win win situation.Badger has a full nutritious belly, and you have the equivalent of a machine gunned veg patch !