I was wondering last night why some studies show they do not move far and why I find moving them works for me but others say it doesn't work and they come back.
I figured I always put the slugs in suitable habitat when I move them, the researchers doing the studies would likely do the same, so they don't need to move back to where they were caught.
I have a huge variety of slugs in the wildlife garden, find them just as fascinating as anything else in there. It provides a place to put them if they stray onto the veg plot where they will find what they need and likely stay put.
I'm a bit dubious about the nematode treatments. They usually have 5 larval stages in their life cycle, often in different hosts. I would be concerned that high concentrations of the larval stages in slugs would pass up the food chain particularly to the helpful slug eaters such as other slugs, frogs and slow worms. Not sure it is an area where there is enough research to declare them 'safe'.
I seem to recall reading somewhere that one of the particular species of nematode only parasitises gastropods already colonised or infected with a particular species of bacterium. I might be wrong but if so, isn't that letting the strongest ones survive to breed another day?
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I was wondering last night why some studies show they do not move far and why I find moving them works for me but others say it doesn't work and they come back.
I figured I always put the slugs in suitable habitat when I move them, the researchers doing the studies would likely do the same, so they don't need to move back to where they were caught.
I have a huge variety of slugs in the wildlife garden, find them just as fascinating as anything else in there. It provides a place to put them if they stray onto the veg plot where they will find what they need and likely stay put.
I'm a bit dubious about the nematode treatments. They usually have 5 larval stages in their life cycle, often in different hosts. I would be concerned that high concentrations of the larval stages in slugs would pass up the food chain particularly to the helpful slug eaters such as other slugs, frogs and slow worms. Not sure it is an area where there is enough research to declare them 'safe'.
Out of interest Gemma, which slugs are the predatory ones so I know which to leave in the garden?
I seem to recall reading somewhere that one of the particular species of nematode only parasitises gastropods already colonised or infected with a particular species of bacterium. I might be wrong but if so, isn't that letting the strongest ones survive to breed another day?
It does sound that way Frank.
The one most often found in UK gardens is the Leopard Slug. Some species of Shelled Slug eat earthworms and other slugs too.
I squash the slugs and throw the snails, but cannot get them to bounce and skim on the river, ho hum I will keep practising.
I launch them over the back fence! into an alleyway so no harm done!!
those I slice in half or stamp upon certainly don't return.
Not much point trying to recruit a Hosta fan to my 'love a slug' campaign
Hosta, by June of last year I was out after dark torch in one hand wielding a carving knife in t'other, OH thought I was bordering on certifiable.
I'll pass on any invitations to a roast, Caral.