Allotments 4 All
Produce => Pests & Diseases => Topic started by: Georgie on August 09, 2008, 14:45:24
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I've just read in a gardening magazine that dried lavender flowers and leaves sprinkled around plants is a successful slug/snail deterrent. This is a new one on me but I think it's worth a try. What do you think?
G x
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I think I'll try that, georgie..I've plenty of dried lavender flowers and just planted some lettuce, that'll be a test for them ;D
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Its a new one on me too!! Is it the fact that the lavendar once dried is rough to the feel of a slug and they dont like it ? or is it the scent.? Anytihing is worth trying. I read that bran was really successful around plants as slug protection. It got one of the highest marks in a trial.
Duke
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It wasn't made clear except to say that the slugs/snails didn't seem to like moving on it. I'm assuming it's the oils because I've never seen a slug or snail on my Lavender plants.
G x
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I think I'll try that, georgie..I've plenty of dried lavender flowers and just planted some lettuce, that'll be a test for them ;D
Hi Manics. Could you set up a little trial and let us know the results i.e. some protected and some not?
G x
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I'll try but there are only 6 lettuce and they're quite close to one another, I'll see if I can split them in half :)
will do it tomorrow
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I'll try but there are only 6 lettuce and they're quite close to one another, I'll see if I can split them in half :)
will do it tomorrow
Awww thanks, that'll be great if it's not too much trouble. :)
G x
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Wow I will have to cut and dry my lavender out and give it a try. Have tried beer but the slugs just took their girlfriends out for a drink and then a meal on my veg.
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Wow I will have to cut and dry my lavender out and give it a try. Have tried beer but the slugs just took their girlfriends out for a drink and then a meal on my veg.
ROFL ;D
G x
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trial set up, don't have lots of trouble with slugs in the tunnel, too many frogs but will give it a go ;D
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i found out where good slugs go after they die ....my allotment they eat so much they must be in heaven ...wheres the pellets grrrrr
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hiya, fatboyexmarine, welcome to the site ;D
i think there's an epedemic of slugs and snails, took 7 from under 1 piece of netting today :o
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Great Manics, this should be interesting. It struck me last night that if Lavender works then Rosemary might as well. I'm going to try both next time I plant out something vulnerable. :)
G x
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well, we're away for 2 weeks from friday, maybe it'll protect them and I'll have some lettuce to pick when I'm back, the outside ones have been razed to the ground :-\
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Am gonna try it. I did put lavender oil down an ant run and it cleared them. You can learn something new every day
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I am desperate for an affective eco friendly slugand snail killer. After finishing work at 1:30am i went out and killed 40 slugs did the same a week later. This was in addition to slug pelletts which i found attracted them but they then went on to eat my beans. I am told that they hate copper strips so i will try this on my raised beds
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I have a book called "50 ways to kill a slug". It's quite tongue in cheek but some of it's suggestions are quite useful. At the moment I'm using the coffee approach. I don't about the slugs but the cabbage whites have been conspicuous by their absence.
CC
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Just to be clear I'm not out to kill slugs and snails, I just want to deter them from eating tender stuff. On the whole I've got a pretty good balance in the garden now (after about three years of following organic principles) and I only kill anything as a last resort. I haven't had any success with coffee grounds or copper tape as a barrier.
G x
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If slugs don't like rough surfaces, has any one tried sandpaper around plants, like a collar, No idea if would work, just thought about it....!!
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???
Someone mentioned bran. I read that the way it works is that they eat the bran, it swells up inside them and they explode. Ho Hum...every cloud etc!
;)
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I'm using a wool based one called Slug Buggers bought from WWF. Expensive but seems to work. There are organic products like Grow Aid/Slug Gone that seem identical but without Organic mentioned quite so prominently on the label:
http://www.ukpetsupplies.com/Details.aspx?CatId=1078&ParentId=1077&ProdId=1943 (http://www.ukpetsupplies.com/Details.aspx?CatId=1078&ParentId=1077&ProdId=1943)
Because they weigh postage is costly, best to try and pick up from a local supplier.
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Can't see how it kills slugs unless it expands after they have eaten it or sticks their stomachs up or something foul!
Looks interesting - I will wait until a few of you lot have tried it first!!!
Sit on the fence? MOI!
OB
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It doesn't kill them - it's a barrier.
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I'm using a wool based one called Slug Buggers bought from WWF. Expensive but seems to work. There are organic products like Grow Aid/Slug Gone that seem identical but without Organic mentioned quite so prominently on the label:
http://www.ukpetsupplies.com/Details.aspx?CatId=1078&ParentId=1077&ProdId=1943 (http://www.ukpetsupplies.com/Details.aspx?CatId=1078&ParentId=1077&ProdId=1943)
Because they weigh postage is costly, best to try and pick up from a local supplier.
That's interesting, Barnowl, and a new one on me. What sort of coverage can you expect from a 3.5kg container?
G x
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Now you're getting technical on me! I just make a ring of it around each plant rather than around the entire bed but I'm afraid I haven't kept count of how many plants it was before the tub ran out. I remember it wasn't as many as I would have liked but isn't that always the case?
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During the day slugs take cover in your nicely tilled soil, then at night they come out. There's only one way to rid yourself of these pests. Anyone heard of "Rabbit lamping", use a similar approach, go looking for them at night with a powerful torch. Kill them by cutting with a sharp knife (razor blade fixed to a tomato cane), salt cellar (sprinkle it on them) and another way is to have about 3 inches of water in a bucket add a table spoonful of sulphate of ammonia and drop them into it.
We are in a plague situation with these pests, no kid glove approach.
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Now you're getting technical on me! I just make a ring of it around each plant rather than around the entire bed but I'm afraid I haven't kept count of how many plants it was before the tub ran out. I remember it wasn't as many as I would have liked but isn't that always the case?
Oh I see. Thanks for the suggestion. If the lavender doesn't work I will try it.
We are in a plague situation with these pests, no kid glove approach.
You may be in a plague situation, Larkshall, but I'm not. Lots of slugs do more good than harm in the garden and I'd rather work with nature, than against it. I also think snails do more damage than slugs in the scheme of things. The keeled slugs are a menace I agree, but as I said before I'll only kill them if absolutely necessary and then in the most humane way as possible - which I gather is cutting them in half (which I couldn't do) or dropping them into very hot water (which I have done). Using salt is just cruel. Naughty snails get lobbed over the fence into the neighbours' wilderness.
G x
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i read somewhere that a lady used to lob her snails away into the wilderness of next door, and decided to paint nail polish on some oneday, and guess what they came back :o >:(. don't know how true the story is. :-\
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i read somewhere that a lady used to lob her snails away into the wilderness of next door, and decided to paint nail polish on some oneday, and guess what they came back :o >:(. don't know how true the story is. :-\
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i read somewhere that a lady used to lob her snails away into the wilderness of next door, and decided to paint nail polish on some oneday, and guess what they came back :o >:(. don't know how true the story is. :-\
LOL I've heard that tale too. But they don't move that quickly so it gives the tender plants and the snails a nice little break. ;D
G x
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i read somewhere that a lady used to lob her snails away into the wilderness of next door, and decided to paint nail polish on some oneday, and guess what they came back :o >:(. don't know how true the story is. :-\
LOL I've heard that tale too. But they don't move that quickly so it gives the tender plants and the snails a nice little break. ;D
G x
:D your right it probably does give them a break ;D
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I have been growing Moonflower Vines from seed and they have taken. Once the seedlings were established, I planted them in the ground but found that the slugs and snails were very interested in them and had started to eat one of them.... I told this to a lady at work and she suggested that I cut the bottom part off a large plastic bottle, leaving the top off the bottle. Push it into the earth around the plants....This way the slugs and snails cannot get to the plant - Thus providing an excellent way to protect your plants - I hope lots of people will benefit from this idea! :) The plants are now thriving! It's great!
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There's an article in today's Guardian magazine about leaving piles of comfrey at the edge of the beds as a diversion. It's also reported in more detail on the author's blog, here:
http://allanshepherd.com/ (http://allanshepherd.com/)
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I have been growing Moonflower Vines from seed and they have taken. Once the seedlings were established, I planted them in the ground but found that the slugs and snails were very interested in them and had started to eat one of them.... I told this to a lady at work and she suggested that I cut the bottom part off a large plastic bottle, leaving the top off the bottle. Push it into the earth around the plants....This way the slugs and snails cannot get to the plant - Thus providing an excellent way to protect your plants - I hope lots of people will benefit from this idea! :) The plants are now thriving! It's great!
Hello Simon and welcome to the site. :)
Forgive me if I'm being a little slow but what is to stop the slugs and snails climbing up the bottle to reach the plant?
G x
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Could you please tell the slugs about the comfrey and that they should be diverted. My plot is infested with the stuff but the slugs seem to prefer my veggies.
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Plastic bottle "collars" seem to work well- maybe the slugs don't like the sharp edges- and they act as a funnel when you're watering, too.
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Plastic bottle "collars" seem to work well- maybe the slugs don't like the sharp edges- and they act as a funnel when you're watering, too.
Okay, I've just come to the conclusion that I must be a 'visual learner'. Can someone post a pic of this method please?
The way I see it this method would only work for seedlings as plastic bottles don't have a very large diameter and soon the larger plants would have leaves hanging over the sides. Or am I missing something?
G x
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Plastic bottle "collars" seem to work well- maybe the slugs don't like the sharp edges- and they act as a funnel when you're watering, too.
Okay, I've just come to the conclusion that I must be a 'visual learner'. Can someone post a pic of this method please?
The way I see it this method would only work for seedlings as plastic bottles don't have a very large diameter and soon the larger plants would have leaves hanging over the sides. Or am I missing something?
G x
i think this is what they did at least this is what i do, minus the smoothing of edges.
http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/extras/49cloche.php (http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/extras/49cloche.php)
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Welcomr to the site SimonL ;D
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So......now I'm expected to cook my empty plastic bottles?????? ;D ;D ;D
Is that taking green living a little too far???
CC
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So......now I'm expected to cook my empty plastic bottles?????? ;D ;D ;D
Is that taking green living a little too far???
CC
LOL!
Bit OTT I reckon, nor do I think it's the method Simon and Caroline are suggesting. I have it mind they mean turn the bottles upside down so the wide edge is at the top and thus forms a 'funnel'. Is that right?
G x
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i read somewhere that a lady used to lob her snails away into the wilderness of next door, and decided to paint nail polish on some oneday, and guess what they came back :o >:(. don't know how true the story is. :-\
I know when I was a kid I tried chucking all the snails along the garden wall over into the warehouse yard next door. They were all back next day.
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I cut the top and bottom off a 2L bottle so that I have a"tube" approx. 5" high. I put this over the sedling and push it into the ground. I can't say the leaves don't hang over the edgese once they have grown a bit, but at least the plant has had a chance to build up its defences a bit! I do sometimes sprinkle slug pellets inside the tubes, too- less chance of birds or animals getting poisoned?
Hope that's a bit clearer!
As Georgie suggests, I also use upturned bottles to channel the water to the roots, although I've only used this method in growbags.
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Ah right, I've got it now. Thanks Caroline. ;D
I use empty 2L water bottles as mini cloches but I'd never thought about using them as tubes to keep the slugs and snails off. Good idea. :)
G x
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Georgie & Caroline
The best bottles are indeed the 2 litre kind. The tops of the bottles once their tops are removed are small enough to allow you to pour water in, but are also too small for snails and slugs to get in....Also, the bigger bottle types present
quite a way for a slug or a snail to climb!
Another thing is, use a clear bottle. This allows more sunshine!
I also use a tried and tested barrier to reinforce my defences and that is to use plain old partially crushed-up egg shells around the bottles. They really don't like the sharp edges and this puts a lot of them off attempting the climb.
Slugs and snails are only really interested in young shoots...So once your plants get established they become less interested and look elsewhere. (honest!)
You can then remove the plastic bottles, reasonably confident that they will be ok. I am really pleased to have been able to offer another method to deter slugs and snails I hope that this helps all Gardeners. Thanks for your comments! I hope this answers your questions!
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Have found that clearing the grass and soil along the side of my wood edged bed, making a mini ditch -
has cleared the slug problem by two thirds !! Don't know where they went but ' am I bovered ' !!
In the past I have smeared Vaseline around the tops of my tubs - just under the rim, as slugs find it hard to cross over and it worked very well. Made a horrible mess though and was not nice to wash off after use ! Soooo, used masking tape then Vaselined -- much better to strip off.
This year I tried Albas Oil smeared round the top of a tub of marigolds - dont they just love 'em, that worked well and the plants are still undamaged [ to date ].
one word tho, pick your raspberries before messing about with Albas Oil !!
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Thanks for your tips, Simon and Flossy. Lot's of ideas for people to try there. :)
G x
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Sounds interesting. There is a lavender farm not far from me. I'll pay them a visit and let you know what they have to say.
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Sounds interesting. There is a lavender farm not far from me. I'll pay them a visit and let you know what they have to say.
Look forward to hearing their thoughts, Zeed. :)
G x
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well, went to the plot today, the results are as follows
All the lettuce have been reduced to a stump, there was a great, fat slug sat in the middle of the one SURROUNDED with lavender , never mind, my mate gave me one of his ;D
onward and upward,when the weather is cooler, I use plastic bottle cloches and old demijohns with the bottom cut off, causes too much mildew this weather :)
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well, went to the plot today, the results are as follows
All the lettuce have been reduced to a stump, there was a great, fat slug sat in the middle of the one SURROUNDED with lavender , never mind, my mate gave me one of his ;D
onward and upward,when the weather is cooler, I use plastic bottle cloches and old demijohns with the bottom cut off, causes too much mildew this weather :)
>:( Similar thing happened here. I tried top dressing one of my potted Chilli plants with Lavender clippings and found a big slug curled up asleep in the middle of them next day. >:(
G x
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at least the slugs will be relaxed, maybe it makes them easier to catch ;D
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at least the slugs will be relaxed, maybe it makes them easier to catch ;D
ROFL ;D
G x
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The last time I visited the hairdressers, she told me she had heard that a barrier of hair deters the slugs. anyone heard of that before?? I know you can buy copper strips to deter slugs so what if you surrounded the bed with copper pipe, would that work? ???
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I've lost loads this season to snails, but while there are 1000s of slugs in the front, I haven't spotted any round the back.
I suspect this is due to having a small pond and a completely-enclosed back garden: any frogs I happen to find get relocated into the back and then can't get out again so I have very good slug control!
This from a week or so ago:
(http://www.moonbells.com/A4Apics/froggy.jpg)
moonbells
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aaarrgggghhhh....slugs and catterpilars....the enemy!! This is my first year having an allotment and I could cry!! Not only those sneaky little b*ggers but cabbage fly too :'( I wanted to grow organic but the main reason for getting an allotment was pounds pence and shillings. next year I mean business!!! So tell me how I can deter but failing deter..KILL these pesky blighters?
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Georgie's far too nice :) kill the buggers I say, I've got a kebab skewer and I stab half a dozen and leave them sticking out the ground as a warning to the others. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Georgie's far too nice :) kill the buggers I say, I've got a kebab skewer and I stab half a dozen and leave them sticking out the ground as a warning to the others. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
I can only agree with the first four words in that sentence. ;D As for the rest, I don't believe you are that cruel Kev. ??? But then agaiin, you do live on the other side of the A10! ;) ;D
G x