Kitchen Garden Forum

what is the best product to protect my spuds against slugs

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.

Hi Fuetty
The thread the Elle is talking about is here

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

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.

feutty wrote:what is the best product to protect my spuds against slugs

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

Welcome feutty

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

Couldn't resist posting this again

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

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

thanks everyone may try the pellets in the drill

feutty wrote: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.

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

thanks alan point taken