Slugs

[barbaramaureen]

Hi

I am having a nightmare with slugs this year.  Every seedling I put in is getting eaten up overnight.  Any ideas.  Does coffee work and I think there is a garlic spray that you can spray on plants.  If anybody has any info I would be grateful.  I am trying to avoid slug pellets for obviously reasons.

Thanks

Barbaramaureen

[barbaramaureen]

[RosieMcPosie]

i have the same prob, even after putting in raised beds, my poor marrows are being attacked as soon as the flowers drop off the end, help please! i have been told coffee but i have heard its not good to use while my plants are growing... they're crwling up and over all my obstacles, tried cutting the tops off coke etc bottles but they crawl up and drop into the hole... im at my wits end and no matter how many i stamp on next day there is so much more damage... please please help!

[antipodes]

In Oz they use beer traps... sink a container into the soil so the slugs can climb into it easily. Fill it halfway with beer. should be full of dead slugs, but I haven't tried it personally.
otherwise I toyed with this idea: a small "gutter" type layout around the affected bed containing salt. The slugs would have to crawl through the salt to get to the bed, but you wouldn't necessarily get salt into the earth.
Heck, I should apply for a patent!!!

[RosieMcPosie]

OOOH ANTIPODES, THIS SOUNDS LOVELY... HAVE U OR ANYONE U KNOW TRIED IT...? OR ANYONE ELSE... XX

[OllieC]

I've always pelleted before but finally got round to trying a couple of traps last night. I used the 50g fish food tubs & caught about 20 this first night, on a bit where I have used loads of pellets this year. A good mix of small ones & giant gingers, so I'm very pleased.

BTW, after much debate I decided to start with Sainsbury's 92p for 4 cans of bitter. I can't think of any other reason for buying such stuff!

[barbaramaureen]

Thaks for the advice.  I am thinking of going down the nuclear route cos nothing seems to work at the moment!!!!!!

Barbaramaureen

[cornykev]

I've tried the beer traps in my garden and caught a load, but they seemed to avoid them on the lottie so I just nuked them with pellets, but I have asked down my local club and they will save the slops when I find a decent container.  ;D ;D ;D

[OllieC]

Did I mention, 92p for four, yes FOUR cans?!?!! I'd drink slops before I'd drink that stuff! :P