I have loads of slugs in my garden..if I put slug pellets,it will only kill those venturing on the paving slabs,won`t it...how I would love to get rid of the horrid things permantly!!!!
I have many many less slugs and pests generally in my garden since I started encouraging wildlife. I don't just mean putting out birdfood, although I do that, I mean by leaving nooks and crannys and protected areas and planting bee and butterfly plants.
I used an old bottle of Slug Clear earlier in the year, doesn't seem to have done much though this time, my Hostas have been munched. I did move them to a different spot, so am hoping that is what has caused the problem. Will be buying Nemaslug next time round.
Modern slug pellets are not as harmful to wildlife as they used to be,keep at them every year,dont forget slugs and snails can hibernate for up to 3 years.
Use beer traps.
Sink a shallow container into the soil and half fill it with beer. The slugs will flock to it, fall in and die happy. No other wildlife is harmed using this method.
Thanks for that link, Milvus. A comprehensive piece.
I was going to stick my oar in, regarding hedgehog decline but I would first need to study the facts and figures of slug poison sales (both types) to see if there was any real synchrony. Fencing and decking has surged in recent years whereas slug pellets have been used for decades.
Regarding hedgehogs eating slugs, I always thought they did until the local hedgehog rescue lady told me they have tiny mouths and slugs are a bit too big for them, they eat mainly insects.