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Slug pellets
Ken Stanley
Posts: 2
in Fruit & veg
is it ok to use slug pellets around veg. ie tomatos
0
Ken Stanley
Posts: 2
Posts
I grow all my tomatoes outside - I've never had a problem with slugs or snails.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I have ventured down the nematode route this year, so far so good, what do you think Verdun?
Thanks for all replies. I only use them in the greenhouse. Slugs and snails do eat young tomato plants. It may be that I was impatient and put them in too early. Never had a problem before.
I use slug pellets. They are a simple chemical that breaks down easily, and the residues are harmless. The criticism is regarding toxicity to animals. The RSPB IIRC reckon they are okay if used sparingly, as opposed to a large number. There are measures you can take such as reducing slug hiding places, collecting and killing them at night, and so on.
Never use slug pellets, too many friendly animals and birds about. Pesky birds as well as cats.
as well though.
The RSPB are not gardeners, and I find slug pellets the only way to avoid devastation. One important measure is to net off beds, which prevents birds eating seedlings and pellets.
Best thing to remember about slug pellets is they are an attractant, so don't scatter them around the things you want to keep the slugs away from. If you do need to use them, put a few out on a wet night, just as its getting dark. Birds should be roosting and any slugs will be dissolved or dead by the morning.
My understanding is that slug pellets containing metaldehyde are dangerous to birds, mammals and amphibians and they are definitely not recommended by the RSPB.
Slug pellets containing the active ingredient aluminium sulphate or ferric phosphate are not believed to harm wildlife and are considered safe to use in limited amounts, according to instructions on the pack in the short term or if other methods of slug control fail.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.