The war on slugs-
young codger
Posts: 543
I think most of us have been there-you put some small but vibrant healthy plants in the garden, and a few days later the slugs have decimated the young leaves.
I think I know almost all the remedies, and my weapon of choice is hunting them late at night armed with a torch. Plus, a dosing of slug pellets around the plants for the slugs that elude my night time prowling.
I’ve been spraying the plants with insecticide to keep aphids off (I grow loads of Rudbeckia). I’m just wondering if a “consequential” effect of the insecticide may render the leaves unpalatable to slugs. I guess it depends on the chemicals used. Anyone else got some unconventional ideas/remedies for the slugs (I know about the beer traps etc).
One other idea I`ve yet to try, what about a small area-say 1 meter square ( shallow wooden frame around the edges) and filled with stuff that slugs love to eat-banana skins, kitchen waste etc all dosed with slug pellets. The idea/theory is to encourage and hope that the slugs would be attracted to the frame more that the plants you’re trying to protect-a kind of decoy.
Posts
Early treatment with nematodes is one of the best environmentally friendly methods.
I don't like to use pellets, I've been using slug stop granules, and so far so good. I like your idea Verdun of seaweed, is it something you can buy as I don't think I have seen that.
When my cat died I had lots of cat litter left over, the woody variety. I used it around my runner bean plant lets and it worked a treat, so much so I've considered buying some more. Cat litter is absorbent and slugs like to remain moist so I can see how it may work.