How often do slug pellets need applying?

lol. Yes, rain does make a difference, it causes the pellets to biodegrade much more quickly, so if its very wet then you need to apply more often. You're right though, its always guesswork how often to apply - I usually just sprinkle liberally, but rarely. I reckon they hang around for up to a week, but after that, there's none to be found, and maybe they disappear quicker than that if its wet.

Ah, so basically, if they can no longer be seen and have vanished to the eye, that's the time to apply more. I've got it. I should have thought of that really, but I hadn't. I will have to get into the habit of scrutinizing the soil surface carefully to spot and examine the little blue things, and to see what they've reduced to. Thanks Bamboo.

Well I'm not saying that's a scientific truth, but that's how I've always done it - though I must admit, I use them rarely, as I said, and after an application, I tend to not reapply for a good month or so, if at all, depending on the weather and the slug/snail population.

A point worth considering, is that slug pellets work because they attract slugs.
Yes, put down the pellets in your garden, and slugs from all your neighbours gardens will be high-tailing it into your deliciously tasting vegetable plot and flower beds, deliriously dying on big fat bellies!!!.

Far better to find some closeby verge or rough ground, and lob all the pellets in there.

Hmm, not sure I agree with that, Burgundy! I usually put them round the plants they choose to eat, like hostas, so they eat the pellets and not the hosta, which they're heading for anyway.

Worse still Burgundy, they are ever so attracted to their dead friends, to dine on them necro-cannibal style. I put the pellets on my patio, then end up with swarms of greenbottles to really have to fight my way through. Ten or more flies per corpse!

Ha ha I like the joke jonathan.
xx