Sum and Substance is said to be slug/snail proof, but it's not really. As my screen-name suggests, I'm a bit of a fan of Hostas. I have about 200 and I don't use any repellants like pellets or copper, but what I do have is a small pond with toads which eat them and I also feed the birds, some of which are partial to slugs/ snails too, especially thrushes and blackbirds. These two don't tend to feed at bird tables / hanging feeders but prefer ground forraging. I use suet based bird food ( seed based food germinates in the soil ) and the birds happily rummage around munching on the treats and also any slugs / snails that come to view. Hedgehogs do a wonderful job too.
I do a regular slug and snail hunt mostly every day. I do miss the odd day though. I always manage to find one or two and take a great delight in squishing them.
I've no idea why I have so many. You'd think I'd only find small ones but no they are always big, fat, well fed ones!
There was a hosta grower featured on the covergae of the Malvern show one spring. She says she goes out on Valentine's Day - because it's easy to remember - and sprinkles the wildlife friendly slug pellets on her hosta beds and pots. She then repeats this every week through the growing season. Just light scatterings, not a blue carpet,, and repeat after heavy rain.
I've done this too and it works for me. I have a pond for frogs and toads and I feed the birds so they come and eat pests but I still need the pellets.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
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Sum and Substance is said to be slug/snail proof, but it's not really. As my screen-name suggests, I'm a bit of a fan of Hostas. I have about 200 and I don't use any repellants like pellets or copper, but what I do have is a small pond with toads which eat them and I also feed the birds, some of which are partial to slugs/ snails too, especially thrushes and blackbirds. These two don't tend to feed at bird tables / hanging feeders but prefer ground forraging. I use suet based bird food ( seed based food germinates in the soil ) and the birds happily rummage around munching on the treats and also any slugs / snails that come to view. Hedgehogs do a wonderful job too.
I've no idea why I have so many. You'd think I'd only find small ones but no they are always big, fat, well fed ones!
There was a hosta grower featured on the covergae of the Malvern show one spring. She says she goes out on Valentine's Day - because it's easy to remember - and sprinkles the wildlife friendly slug pellets on her hosta beds and pots. She then repeats this every week through the growing season. Just light scatterings, not a blue carpet,, and repeat after heavy rain.
I've done this too and it works for me. I have a pond for frogs and toads and I feed the birds so they come and eat pests but I still need the pellets.