Author Topic: Some ideas on how to deal with slugs. (Read 15146 times)

Fleecewife · « **on:** July 11, 2015, 07:45:48 pm »

This strikes me as a useful article on ways to deal with slugs. It's written by a permaculture designer, but his methods can be applied everywhere.

http://www.permaculture.co.uk/articles/20-ways-control-slugs-permaculture-garden-or-allotment

pgkevet · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2015, 08:35:44 pm »

All those ideas sound wonderful but are impractical for a 1/4 acre plot on cost or in my case that the plot is within a section of meadow so surrounded by just a barrier i keep mowed short. I use slug bait and have no qualms about it.
the grrenhouses on the other hand are designed so slug entry is almost impossible.

the copper idea is old and very nive... but again cost is a facor unless you just want to keep them off a special plant or two. I;ve got three ponds all with frogs and there's plenty toads about...but it'd take many times that number to clear this acreage.

cloddopper · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2015, 12:18:21 am »

i recently saw several pictures where 6" wide copper band was covered in slug & snail slime as well as there being four slugs on it.

I'm using the nematode control method ..it's working but I might have to give them another dose in three weeks time if it turns humid . It is expensive at £18 a session for enough to treat 40 sq /mtrs from seed merchants like Suttons etc. .
If I were a farmer or small holder I guess it could be had for far less cost per sq mtr if I purchased in bulk .

Lesley Silvester · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2015, 12:36:31 am »

I have an old kitchen knife which is known as the slug murdering knife, although I do use if for other things in the garden as well.

pgkevet · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2015, 08:05:01 am »

Quote from: cloddopper on July 12, 2015, 12:18:21 am

i recently saw several pictures where 6" wide copper band was covered in slugh 7 smnbail slime as well as four slugs on it.

I'm using the nematode control method ..it's working but I might have to give them another dose in three weeks time if it turns humid . It is expensive at £18 a session for enough to treat 40 sq /mtrs from seed merchants like Suttons etc. .
If I were a farmer or small holder I guess it could be had for far less cost per sq mtr if I purchased in bulk .

The concept of copper and electrolytic deterrance for slugs should work well. If ya thinks about it it has to depend on a potential difference.. so either copper oxide on one surface with a clean edge or an effect between the copper and whatever it's attached to... and the slug slime as the electrolyte. Once the whole slug is on the strip it's not going to work any more than birdies sitting on power lines.

It'd be a reasonable guess that copper mesh would be better than a solid wide band. or even bands made up of paired diferent metals?

waterbuffalofarmer · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2015, 09:54:00 am »

I always sink Marg containers with cheap beer in them into the ground, the amount of slugs which I find are tons. Salt is also good, but near plants is a no go. You can buy organic slug pellets from harrods horticulture. Hope this helps

Fleecewife · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2015, 10:57:01 am »

Quote from: Mad Goatwoman of Madeley on July 12, 2015, 12:36:31 am

I have an old kitchen knife which is known as the slug murdering knife, although I do use if for other things in the garden as well.

For a moment I thought you were going to say.........'though I do use it for other things in the kitchen....'

Being quite primitive creatures, I'm not sure just how immediately chopping in half kills slugs. Standing on them against a concrete path, and twisting about, as long as you don't have deep treads on your boots, obliterates them, then other mini critters come along and clear up. I've never had hens or ducks that would eat slugs - fusspots don't like the slime I suppose.

mab · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2015, 08:35:40 pm »

The one I like (as I have the means to hand without buying anything) is dog food tins:- don't wash them out, just put a bit of water in the bottom with the residue of dog food and sink 'em half way into the beds and the slugs are attracted to the dog food.

Although I do wonder if it's the right slugs I'm catching.

devonlady · « **Reply #8 on:** July 12, 2015, 08:40:43 pm »

My brother does this and finds it very effective. Also, he doesn't have to wash out the tins for the re-cycling box!

clydesdaleclopper · « **Reply #9 on:** July 12, 2015, 09:07:02 pm »

Well their suggestion of attracting predators such as toads is a pants idea. Look what I found today when I moved some undergrowth - he obviously hadn't read the article

doganjo · « **Reply #10 on:** July 12, 2015, 09:28:26 pm »

Yuk on both counts, Katy!

Quirkygirl · « **Reply #11 on:** July 12, 2015, 09:58:43 pm »

I read the article and I go for the duck idea.. I want ducks...

doganjo · « **Reply #12 on:** July 12, 2015, 10:21:52 pm »

I have ducks - they're not loose on the garden yet till I get my dog proof fence built.

Lesley Silvester · « **Reply #13 on:** July 12, 2015, 11:56:10 pm »

Quote from: Fleecewife on July 12, 2015, 10:57:01 am

Quote from: Mad Goatwoman of Madeley on July 12, 2015, 12:36:31 am
I have an old kitchen knife which is known as the slug murdering knife, although I do use if for other things in the garden as well.

For a moment I thought you were going to say.........'though I do use it for other things in the kitchen....'

Being quite primitive creatures, I'm not sure just how immediately chopping in half kills slugs. Standing on them against a concrete path, and twisting about, as long as you don't have deep treads on your boots, obliterates them, then other mini critters come along and clear up. I've never had hens or ducks that would eat slugs - fusspots don't like the slime I suppose.

If they are on the path I tread on them like you said, but it's no good doing that on soft surfaces so it's the knife. I hope they don't suffer but they have to go. I'm hoping my resident frog(s) are busy with them at the moment.