I found a recipe on the internet that works well - 1/2 tsp yeast, 1 tsp sugar, 2 tbsps. flour, 2 cups warm water. I need to clean the traps out every few days though as the dead slugs (or the yeast) attracts flies who also drown
I have a problem with slugs too, like most gardeners do. I do a slug hunt nearly every day and collect between 100 to 200 of the little darlings each time. I drown them in soapy water because I cant chop or squash them. I still feel guilty about killing them even though they chew through my lovely plants. does anyone else feel bad about killing them?
I slug hunt most nights. I sometimes take them across the road onto the field opposite. If they can get back without getting squashed they get salted and binned.
Who would have thought that the subject of slugs could be so amusing!
This thread has certainly made me laugh
On to more serious things...
Slugs are biologically controlled by the pathogenic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita.
The nematodes enter a slug's body, infect it with a fatal pathogen and then complete their lifecycle within the dead slug. Baby nematodes hatch out of the body a few days later ready to infect more slugs.
The control is watered into warm, moist soil (between 5 and 20 degrees Celsius), usually between late spring and early autumn. It is best used on lighter soils - not so successful on heavy clays.
The nematodes (marketed as Nemaslug) are available from some large garden centres, where they are kept in fridges and, as Verdun said, online.
Posts
I just like the smash it approach - very gratifying!
I found a recipe on the internet that works well - 1/2 tsp yeast, 1 tsp sugar, 2 tbsps. flour, 2 cups warm water. I need to clean the traps out every few days though as the dead slugs (or the yeast) attracts flies who also drown
I have a problem with slugs too, like most gardeners do. I do a slug hunt nearly every day and collect between 100 to 200 of the little darlings each time. I drown them in soapy water because I cant chop or squash them. I still feel guilty about killing them even though they chew through my lovely plants. does anyone else feel bad about killing them?
Yes.......
I slug hunt most nights. I sometimes take them across the road onto the field opposite. If they can get back without getting squashed they get salted and binned.
I understand that nematodes are very good and target slugs and nothing else but does anyone know from where they can sourced?
Thanks
Hi Patricia,
Who would have thought that the subject of slugs could be so amusing!
This thread has certainly made me laugh
On to more serious things...
Slugs are biologically controlled by the pathogenic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita.
The nematodes enter a slug's body, infect it with a fatal pathogen and then complete their lifecycle within the dead slug. Baby nematodes hatch out of the body a few days later ready to infect more slugs.
The control is watered into warm, moist soil (between 5 and 20 degrees Celsius), usually between late spring and early autumn. It is best used on lighter soils - not so successful on heavy clays.
The nematodes (marketed as Nemaslug) are available from some large garden centres, where they are kept in fridges and, as Verdun said, online.
Try www.defenders.co.uk and www.fargro.co.uk
Hope this helps and thanks, everyone for a good sense of humour!
All the best
pbff
Thanks everyone, I am planning my action for the Spring - slugs beware, I am on the slugpath lol