how many ways can anyone rid the garden of the slugs

[Robert_Brenchley]

Toads eat a lot of small slugs, but one problem is that the great majority of the slug population is underground out of reach.

[Robert_Brenchley]

[Fork]

Anchor a few small bits of black plastic sheeting around and keep checking them in the mornings.You should find slugs underneath.You can then dispose of them any way you wish.

[valentinelow]

I pass this on without comment. It is from an interview in the Times with a guy from Bristol called Andy Hamilton, who with his twin brother Dave has just published a book called The Self-Sufficient-ish Bible: An Eco-Living Guide for the 21st Century.
"Chuck a load of slugs in a food mixer, blend them and then put the goo around your plants," he said. "They won't come near it."
Anyone else ever tried it?

[Fork]

I can just imagine my wifes face when I tell her Im about to blend slugs in her blender!!  :o ;D ;D

[Old bird]

How totally gruesome!

Old Bird

;D

[Philbasford]

chickens are best things for smaller slugs,mine love them!,uncover slabs and they go mad:)

[norfolklass]

I've yet to be plagued by them at my allotment but get loads in the garden chomping through my little veg seedlings while they're hardening off. despite the carnage they cause I just can't bring myself to kill them, I'd rather spend ten minutes flinging them over the hedge, although the neighbours must think I'm mad :-[
I have a special 'slug spoon' that I use – I bash them a few times with it first (like cracking a soft boiled egg) so that they shrink into a nice round shape for better aerodynamics. then I use the spoon to fling them as far as possible over the hedge and down the hill. to find their way back they have to negotiate several back gardens, a row of garages (they make quite a satisfying thonk if they land on the roof) and quite a steep grassy slope ;D

[posie]

Up until now, I've tried to be nice, tried to get rid of them humanely.  However when I get my hands on the little toerag that ate my very first ever Nasturtium that I planted 3 days ago, I think I may turn into a deranged slug killer.  I was very proud of that Nasturtium!!! >:( >:( >:(

[Robert_Brenchley]

They do return when you throw them, as they have quite a well-developed homing instinct. When I was about four, I could never understand how it was that throwing snails over the garden wall didn't seem to get rid of them at all!

[Pumper]

Our problem isn't slugs - but snails. Millions of them from titchy ickle five pence size up to wagon wheel size.
Our lottie is right on a river so I guess that's what attracts them.

When we dig the soil up one end, it's like the seaside - millions of shells. Can't do anything other than pellets.

[manicscousers]

Shove them in the dalek with the lid firmly closed, stick them in the water butt, making sure they don't come up for air or throw them in the pond..these methods work just as well for snails  ;D

[saddad]

and the stomping method gives avery satisfying crunch!
;D

[Crystalmoon]

I had to partake in a mass murder of slugs today eagerly helped by some blackbirds  ;D
My new lottie had masses of daffodils at the bottom end (26ft by 6ft bed full to bursting). I was going to leave them there until I needed the bed for planting but on close inspection today I discovered they were being a slug haven, providing homes for hundreds of the slimey buggers  :o The daffs had to go  ;)

[tonybloke]

they ain't that much of a problem on my allotment, but if they are a problem, you can sort them out easily.
a bucket, laid on it's side, with some horse bran in it (a dit like porrige, but drier, and more flour-like).
the little blighters smell it for miles, they crawl in, and dessicate! can't get the slime to travel out again!!
they have to be replenishad daily, (morning dew) but only cost pennies.
rgds, tonybloke

[sims girl]

l have just found a book all about slugs so l thought l would put one of the pages on her so here goes

                               prepare the battleground

there are many approaches you can take to minimize the chances  of slugs thriving in your garden. Start by eliminating their favourite habitats.

1. prune shrub branches that touch the ground.

2.trim grass edges, as slugs hide in the overhang.

3. remove excess mulch.

4.check out their favourite hideaways-under decking, around compost heaps and bins, anywhere dark and moist.

5.spring-clean your garden regularly, and hoe your weeds as slugs and eggs hide under them, as well as under earth clods.

6. encourage slugs predators-many creatures are known to feast on the odd slug or two, including moles, hedgehogs, frogs, salamanders, carnivorous beetles and millipedes

7.plant tender seedling somewhere safe away from the prying eye of the slug, or protect them by surrounding them with the cardboard centres of toilet rolls.

will try and put other one on some time

[star]

they ain't that much of a problem on my allotment, but if they are a problem, you can sort them out easily.
a bucket, laid on it's side, with some horse bran in it (a dit like porrige, but drier, and more flour-like).
the little blighters smell it for miles, they crawl in, and dessicate! can't get the slime to travel out again!!
they have to be replenishad daily, (morning dew) but only cost pennies.
rgds, tonybloke

Bran works a treat..........£4 for a huge sack :D

[Robert_Brenchley]

3. remove excess mulch.

Not much help if you're into no-dig (or minimal dig) gardening with layers of mulch everywhere! I like the idea of using toilet roll centres though, and it's a good point about predators. The more cover you have round the garden, the more slug-eaters you're likely to have.

[saddad]

 :'( Why Crystalmoon... I know they were a slug haven now but at least you knew where most of the B*******d's were... and those daffs would be really cheerful at the start of evry plot year..
;D

[manicscousers]

I got told off for using bran, one of the older plot holders says it encourages rats  :o :o

[caseylee]

On gardners world alan did a test on things people use to avoid slugs, he tried nearly all the methods discussed here, and the results were that no matter what you do slugs will find a way, they even crawl over the eggshells, broken stone and everything.  I have tried all sorts, but I make it a game with my kids, we go outside early morning and late enving and hunt slugs.  Fo every slug they find they get 5p, and a trip to the sweetie shop, trust me they never come back empty handed and they have great fun.