slugs

Hi Sheba. If anyone knew any way at all of 'stopping' slugs they would become very very rich. All you can hope to do is keep them in check a bit. I think more time has been devoted to slug control on gardening forums than any other single subject. As you don't want to use slug bait then (amongst others) suggested measures have included -

Going out at night (particularly when it has been raining) and physically collecting them with a torch, a shovel and a bucket to be disposed of in a manner you see fit.

Keeping ducks and/or geese. Encouraging frogs and toads into the garden will also keep them down but not out.

The method I use of putting down beer traps. Shallow dishes with beer, lager or even cider in. The slugs come for the yeast residue and die happy.

I am sure others will have their own ways but you do have to remember that you will never get rid of them completely and you do have to remember that it is a war and against these horrors you should show no mercy.

John.

Sadly, these are the little ones that live underground and I don't think that any of the normal ways of dealing with slugs would work on them. I read somewhere that lifting them a bit earlier than you normally would helps. Obviously, the yield is smaller, but at least you get potatoes you can actually eat!

The little ones that live underground Spritzhenry are the babies of the big ones that live in damp sheltered places on top. If you can nobble them before they lay their eggs then you don't get so many babies in the ground. It's long term but what in gardening isn't? You know as well as I that impatient people don't make gardeners. The little ones do come up at night as well especially on damp, rainy nights. That's where frogs and toads come in very handy. It's the babies that they eat. Delicious.

Well, well, now I've learned something new. I honestly had been led to believe that they were different species. Now a lesson on baby snails, please, John, so that I can deal with them....

The Slugs are attracted by beer then you can make a slug trap and the slugs must drown themself in the beer tell me if this way is right normaly it's sure

I think there are a couple of different species of slugs, brown ones and black ones. The brown ones are more voracious than the black but they are all horrible and want to eat your garden bare. The small yeast residue in beer or cider (maybe even wine, I don't know, it's too expensive to try) attracts them, the alcohol affects them and they are either poisoned or fall into the dish and drown, never could work out which, but I don't intend to carry out autopsies on slugs at my age.

It works. If you object to slug bait, or if like me you are worried about using it around children or animals, then this is humane and organic.

The slugs actually lay there eggs in the soil Spritzhenry, which is where the young end up. They are white when young but darken later.

Baby snails, John????

No thanks Spritzhenry. I like my escargots large, juicy and in garlic butter. Oh and beer traps do work for snails but not as well.

You may think when you've seen one slug you've seen them all, there are dozens of different species.
The garden slug has a dark yellow colour underneath and leaves a yellow slime.
The grey field slug comes in various shades with a milky white slime.
The black striped slug is a monster 6 inches long.
The greenhouse slug and the bulb slug feed below the soil in daytime.
The large black slug is found in hedges and does little harm.
Not all slugs are after your plants, some are harmless, live below ground and are carniverous, eating worms, other slugs, wireworms and other grubs. These are distinquished by a small shell on their tails.
There are various ways of deterring them, apart from the beer trap, prop up half an orange peel to make a trap and in the morning pick them up. A lettuce leaf under a roof tile is another trap. Lime, soot, grit or ashes round your plants will keep them away.

Unfortunately, I can't use beer traps - our Labrador Henry would be reeling round drunk as a skunk. The mind boggles! He also likes orange and lemon peel and lettuce. I could try the other suggestions. Watch this space!

Oh Dear, I wouldn't want to be responsible for a drunken orgy by Henry, and seems he's a veggie.
The soot etc. is a good one apparently they can't be bothered to crawl over it.
I wait to hear how it goes.

I once had a border collie who liked beer so couldn't use beer traps then. She also liked gooseberries so we had to fence off the soft fruits. Ed is strictly TT and carnivorous though so we are quite safe apart from if we have chocolate. Thanks for filling in some details on these little horrors Doctorbob. I found it most interesting but I still hate them.

Henry likes to pick his own tomatoes from the greenhouse and blackberries straight from brambles when we're out walking He also likes raw vegetables and is often indulged by my friend who pulls up carrots and picks beans for him! He enjoys small pieces of cabbage stalks, sprouts,peppers, beetroot, and any sort of fruit - apples (fallen ones are fair game!) as well as most veggies except mushrooms and parsnips. Of course I only give him a very small amount - but does anyone else have a dog who loves all these? I wish he'd develop a taste for snails....