Carrying on the fight against slugs in the garden.

[Benchwayze]

Hi folks,

Has anyone tried this adhesive, copper faced strip, that is supposed to cause slugs to turn round, when they reach it. Knowing how slugs can stretch their bodies, they could possibly find a way round it? Any comments on the usefulness or otherwise, would be welcomed.

T.I.A

John

 

[NazNomad]

I grew courgettes in a huge planter, raised on copper-pipe legs. Not a single slug got up there.

Although the best prevention is to use soil that doesn't already have slug-eggs in it.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I ringed my raised beds with scrap copper wire. It seemed to work for quite a while, but we went up to look yesterday after leaving it a couple of weeks and everything is riddled with slug holes. I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss it, as it was ten tons of bought in soil compost and they may have come in with that.

 

[AJB Temple]

Gardeners question time this weekend had a question on this. The favoured advice for slugs (but not snails) was nematodes. Available on line and highly effective apparently.

Wood ash also works but is ineffective after rain. Bob Flowerdew suggests grit around the plants.

My wife has tried copper bands (bought in strips or rolls) and they are partially effective but easily bridged when weeding or when foliage dangles. Slugs and snails can climb very effectively according to GQT.

 

[Benchwayze]

Thanks folks. I am trying to nurse some young shrubs through 'infancy', ready to plant out, but it's a losing battle. I think I shall give in, and try the nematodes. As for slugs eggs, I presume the nematodes will 'attack' when the eggs are become slugs!

Thanks for the info.

John

 

[Rorschach]

Pair of chopsticks and an old jam jar works for me, a little labour intensive but there is nothing more effective.

 

[Aggrajag]

Nematodes are microscopic wotsits that end up inside the slugs and eat them from within. We found them very effective but only for a couple of weeks - the instructions say they need re-applying every 2-3 weeks and at the price they're, in my opinion, unsustainable.

Me and my now-ex tried everything from pellets, to choicier sacrifice food, nematodes, copper, wine, beer, eggshells, salt, you name it. We lost.

 

[n0legs]

We have a hedgehog.
Prickles is his name and slug wrangling is his game. Best deterrent we've ever had, no slugs.
He earns his beef in jelly every night

 

[Benchwayze]

There's a point. A plate of dog food might persuade one to visit. Although all the loose moggies around here would demolish the 'bait' in no time.

I recently bought a large plastic plant container; sort of window box that is looking for a window cill; and needs some drainage holes! l! It's been partly filled with water over the past few days and the other day I saw this ginger cat balanced on the edge, leaning into the trough, drinking.

Oh yes... It slipped and fell in. I never saw a cat move so fast. He must have thought it was ten feet deep! I swear he leapt a metre in the air before burning rubber across the lawn! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[AJB Temple]

Ah yes. We have a resident hedgehog too. Very effective.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

You could always get yourself a couple of ducks. Not hens - many hens won't eat slugs.

 

[Benchwayze]

Phil..

I am too fond of duck to entertain keeping them. I might never resist the urge to go wild, and put them on a plate! And is it true they leave goo all over the lawns? :|

 

[Benchwayze]

Pair of chopsticks and an old jam jar works for me, a little labour intensive but there is nothing more effective.

I'd use an old pickle fork myself; not too good with chopsticks. :lol:

 

[Blister]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoBeKS64_xc

 

[Aggrajag]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoBeKS64_xc

I would be using 100v for the little bar stewards!!

 

[DrPhill]

 

[Jacob]

Personally I favour an untidy garden. If there's plenty of debris lying about - cabbage leaves, pulled weeds, you name it, the slugs will turn this into rich compost for you.
If it's all tidy and you just have bare soil, plus brussels, lettuce etc, slugs will turn these into rich compost for you.
Or you can go around with some long sharp scissors and chop them (and caterpillars) in half. Any remaining slugs will turn this into rich compost for you (they eat anything, even dog sh|t) - win win!!
Basically they are just trying to do you a favour and tidy the place up a bit and turn stuff into rich compost for you.

 

[monkeybiter]

Sorry to revive the thread but I can see slime trails heading to the roof of my garage. When I demolished my wooden lean-to 'day room' I found clumps of them at the roof edges, rotting the joist ends.
What are they doing and how to stop and prevent them? Liberal dusting of salt perhaps?

 

[worn thumbs]

I have Spanish slugs and they are a scourge.

 

[RogerS]

Pair of chopsticks and an old jam jar works for me, a little labour intensive but there is nothing more effective.

Um, Size 9 Dickies ? Squelch..quick and effective 8)