slugs,snails

[iknownothing]

have read lots of threads on this but still not sure which way to go - am just starting to grow veg for first time in plastic raised beds on paving slabs on patio - can't decide which way to go with slug control, nemotodes, crushed granite/ceramic stuff, copper tape or bait I'm sure ther is no definitive answer to this question. I have 2 beds 2mx1m and some other planters and willbe growing potatoes in sacks. thanks for any help

[alan refail]

[glallotments]

We are trying the crushed granite method this year but don't know how effective it is yet.

We have used nematodes but for large areas it is expensive and also as they are soil based I don't think that they are effective on snails. I think the nematodes also are inactive or die at temperatures that are too low. The soil needs to be at 5C. The application only gives six weeks control so can protect seedlings, otherwise you need to reapply. It's always difficult to know how effective it is as the dead slugs will be underground.

I've found copper tape and smearing vaseline just below the rim of the pot (so fingers don't get messy when moving pots around) great for tubs or pots but again expensive for larger areas and the slugs may well be in the soil inside the barrier already or even come up under the raised bed sides.

I've never tried bait so can't say anything about that.

Up to now we have used as Alan suggests pellets to prtiect seedlings but don't think the more you use the better it will be. I was curious to see small blue piles appearing on a plot near to us.

Do go for the ones that don't affect other creatures though.

[Nature's Babe]

Before planting your tender plants out, place a few lettuce leaves with organic slug pellets, it gets them before they get your plants !

[John P]

Natures Babe, Thats a great idea,why didnt I think of that before. Good thinking.Anyone else out there got any ideas on simple but effective pest control.

[PLUMPUDDING]

I've put a few piles of bran in the prepared seed bed and am going out tonight with my bucket, torch and rubber gloves to gather them up while they are dining. I'm also going to check the daffodils as something has been eating them.

I also use the organic slug pellets that Alan uses just to make sure. Who is that chap by the way? I liked your lambs better Alan.

[Geoff]

PP he's from the time when politicians were even worse than they are now - and he was Welsh as well.

[alan refail]

I liked your lambs better Alan.

They will return in due season.

he's from the time when politicians were even worse than they are now

He was very very bad. If you want scandals - sex, sleaze, corruption - Dewi Llwyd's your man.

[PLUMPUDDING]

Thank you Alan, Lloyd George did occur to me as he's the only Welsh politician I could think of, but I'd no idea what he looked like.

Regarding the slugs and snails, this thread prompted me to have a slug hunt on Saturday night. I know I should have been out clubbing, but decided to go hunting instead.

I managed to break my record by catching over 1,300 slugs and snails in less than 2 hours. I stopped counting when I got to that number. There were lots of small ones that looked as if they had just hatched out and quite a few larger ones that were busily eating the flowers on my daffodils. They were mainly on the tender new shoots of the brassicas, having a feast on the aubretia, arabis and pansies and generally on the lawn, the paths and anywhere else with a bit of moisture. Hopefully my plants will start to recover now that lot have been removed. It just goes to show if I hadn't gone out at night I'd never have known there were so many.

A new tub of slug pellets is on my shopping list.

[mrs gruntilla]

hi

I think I'm going to try as many different things as possible! I've been saving egg shells for quite a while (which, in reality will probably protect about 4 plants!).

Also, I'm going to try cutting up plastic milk bottles with a jagged top, to put round the plants as collars (which apparently doesn't feel the greatest if you're a slug). I think pinking shears like my mum used for dress making, will do a top job.

For years, I've been lusting after some copper tools, and would be really interested to know if anyone has ever had any improved chances, using copper tools?

my biggest problem is that I don't want to kill them - stupid, I know - so essentially I just want to keep them away from my tastiest plants.

Finally, I'm putting in a wildlife pond (old bath tub) in the hope i will attract plenty of wildlife to eat the blighters

[JohnN]

WOW, Plumpudding, 1,300 in two hours!! What do you use to pick them all up, a vacuum cleaner? I just hope there aren't thousands of starving birds all over S. Yorkshire this Spring
John N

[glallotments]

Yesterday I noticed a pile of broken snail shells in a corner of the garden rarely visited by us - the usual messy bit.

A thrush must have found it to be a good feeding place - or do blackbirds break snail shells in this way too?

[PLUMPUDDING]

I wear some latex gloves and take a nice big bucket and my torch and gather them up by the handful.

By the way, I don't deprive the birds as I take the slugs for a walk across the road and tip them out at the edge of some woodland, or if there aren't too many people coming home from the pub I walk along the road and tip them over the railings (the slugs not the people), again into woodland. I think I mentioned last year that I try to avoid passing the drunks as it is rather embarrassing trying to look as if you are doing something normal when you are carrying a bucket of slugs and wearing rubber gloves at 11.30 pm.

[WestHamRon]

I wear some latex gloves and take a nice big bucket and my torch and gather them up by the handful.

By the way, I don't deprive the birds as I take the slugs for a walk across the road and tip them out at the edge of some woodland, or if there aren't too many people coming home from the pub I walk along the road and tip them over the railings (the slugs not the people), again into woodland. I think I mentioned last year that I try to avoid passing the drunks as it is rather embarrassing trying to look as if you are doing something normal when you are carrying a bucket of slugs and wearing rubber gloves at 11.30 pm.

Nothing unusual there for the average late night drinker. (So I've been told.)

[PLUMPUDDING]

Here's a picture of the little dears: