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Slugs
jean d
Posts: 3
I bought myself a lovely big pollytunnel this year and was excited about getting things going. I planted up some old wooden pallets round the outsides and had broad beans, dwarf french beans, mange toute beetroot carrots celery and 4 attempts with courgette plants but everything has been gobbled up by those pesky slugs, the awful thing is there was no sign of slugs until I put slug repellents down. I tried a new one to me that was like a carpet and had nutrients in it, but everything has gone. They have even had a go at the petunias that I put old favourite slug pellets round. I started off with crushed egg shells but there are only so many eggs one can use! and was ok.
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I feel your pain Jean. Like any others, I'm having terrible trouble this year with the little buggers. Currently resorting to lamb wool pellets, which fingers crossed seem to be doing the trick (as of last night). Nematodes is another option but my area is too big to cover it
I've seen them walk over copper tape with ease & coffee grounds.
Last edited: 22 May 2016 09:19:52
Drown them in slug pubs. Shallow dishes of beer scattered around.
Just thought I'd mention that my slugs also like non alcoholic beer. Any other drinks that members have found works?
They are terrible this year! I have been outside picking them off every morning and evening and have caught hundreds, but I'm not winning.
I have found Garlic Wash to be very useful, especially in spring, before plants grow too big... I spray new growth of Hostas , from the very first signs of leaves, and all the soil around them. Then I surround the Hosta with grit and spray that too. In fact I spray everything with it and it kills off aphids on Meadow rue and Clematis etc. I found this recipe on the 'Bowdens Hostas' site https://www.bowdenhostas.com/
I keep spraying everything in the evening all throughout spring and summer and it works a treat...then come mid August , end of summer , I just let the slugs have em!!
Garlic Wash Recipe
2 whole bulbs garlic crushed
Blanch in 2pints of boiling water for 3-4 mins
Cool - Make up to 2 pints again with water
Strain and filter.
1 Capful to 3 litres full sprayer
I use 4 pinter plastic milk container to store it...
I use Hoselock Killaspray 4605 max 3 litres. Slings over shoulder and is great.
Hope this helps.
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Esspee
i found the little slimmy buggers love a bath in John Smiths Bitter
Mine would turn their noses up at non alachol drink as they are a fussy lot
I've got some nematodes which are past their sell-by date. Does anyone know if they will still work?
Otherwise - I've found egg shells work well, also lamb wool pellets have been really good.
Don't put down too many pellets they go for the plants first then have the pellets for dessert.