slugs

[feutty]

what is the best product to protect my spuds against slugs

[Elle's Garden]

Hi Fuetty,

Welcome to the forum.

There is a current thread in the Weeds, Pests and Diseases forum that has an answer for you. I would put a link, but I am not as efficient as Alan who always manages to do that!! But I think that the Organic slug pellets properly applied are the best thing.

[glallotments]

Hi Fuetty
The thread the Elle is talking about is here

http://www.kitchengarden.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=8229

[PLUMPUDDING]

When the weather warms up a bit an application of Nemaslug will work wonders on reducing the slug population.

In the mean time I would put a sprinkle of slug pellets in the bottom of the drill when you are planting the potatoes if you haven't got them in yet.

I don't apply Nemaslug every year as it is a bit expensive.

I also avoid growing varieties that I've found to be more prone to slug damage like Maxine. Even though it was another very wet summer there was hardly any slug damage.

I also do night time slug hunts on warm damp evenings, trying to go out every night for four or five nights and disposing of the catch - well away from the garden. Last summer I caught nearly 3,000 slugs in a week with the numbers reducing drastically by the end of the week so it was working.

[Suzie]

what is the best product to protect my spuds against slugs

Cricket bat in one hand, slug in t'other and whack

Welcome feutty

[oldherbaceous]

You just can't beat the sound of slime on willow.

[Geoff]

Couldn't resist posting this again

Trapped Slug.jpg (22.95 KiB) Viewed 4474 times

[Suzie]

Now I know you're having me on Geoff - everyone knows slugs will only eat cheese if there is lettuce with it

[Geoff]

It was genuine, I've often wondered if a mouse killed it!

[feutty]

thanks everyone may try the pellets in the drill

[alan refail]

thanks everyone may try the pellets in the drill

Before you do that, consider this: potatoes are attacked by keel slugs which, unlike most others, live underground. By putting pellets in the drill it is more than likely you could increase slug damage; pellets will attract the slugs to where the potatoes are and I suspect the cleverer slugs will go for the potatoes rather than the bait. Far better to use pellets on the surface and attract slugs away from the tubers.
Years ago, I recall, an allotment neighbour used vast amounts of pellets in his trenches and was amazed that his potatoes were the worst affected of anyone's.

[Suzie]

I was told that the beer trap trick actually increases the slug population as slugs from next door can smell the fine ale and will hop along for a drink

[feutty]

thanks alan point taken