Does anyone use Slug stoppa granules?.What was the result ? I understand you surround plant you wish to protect with the granules and once the growing area has been harvested you can dig the granules in as a soil improver!
Duke
I've only used them in my cold frame or under enviromesh so that they don't get washed away too quickly. They seem to work ok.
I've used then on the plot and in my garden at home - they seem fairly effective but as Barnowl says, you have to be careful you don't wash them away.
Cheers,
Rob ;)
I used it last year on the squash at the plot
It got washed away
The squashes died of natural causes anyway
Have to say I wasn't impressed, either slugs were eating the granules then eating my plants or they found a way to abseil in!
I found it worked, as part of the combined strategy... nematodes, bee traps, new pellets, and just plain squashing... ;D
It has taken me about a decade but have/had it finally under control... famous last words.. :-[ :-X
Im using these granules alot on areas i have also used nematodes on or covered in black memebrane (not plastic). Have had great success protecting courgettes, strawberries, etc but when it has been very wet I have done some serious torch lit raids at my plot using scissors as my weapon of choice :o ;D
I do make sure that i pile the granules up quite deep around each area as the packet shows though.
I've found SLUG STOPPA to be quite effective when the conditions are dry (but then slugs are less troublesome then anyway) but if there is a lot of rain it either gets washed away or the slugs don't mind crossing it - either way, my plants got very slug damagd in the rain.
What I have found to be much more effective is the blue slug pellets from the Organic Gardening Catelogue. I used it for the first time this year and have hardly lost anythnig, despit heavy rain.
I used them round brassicas last year a hated them, any plants touched got brown patches on them, the rot in the slightest amount of water/rain and slugs don't mind going over them. (I noticed that with my own eyes)
I'm now trying Slug Buggers outside (but will keep slug stoppa for the cold frame where it doesn't get wet.)
I used them a lot last year and they worked very well. But they get quite expensive.
It's a good thing to use while things are young and tender and you can ease off the slug stoppa as the plants get established.
Thanks for all your input. I have bought a box of them but yes I quickly went through a box. To keep buying it at the rate I have been using it this week could be quite expensive. My next experiment will be bran ~not sure about the cost of this though.
Duke
Bran is dirt cheap...... ;D
what type of bran?
thanks
Crystal I was going to buy the bags of bran you can buy in the supermarket! or health food shop. Usually found in the baking or breakfast cereal sections!
Duke
Thanks Duke i will look for some at my local supermarket.
I was wondering though if putting bran all over my allotment will attract rats? has anyone any experience of this?