Slug Deterrent, It Seems Like The Answers Been Right Beneith My Feet...literally

[Chipchopper]

I thought I'd share this tip with those who are plagued by slugs.
I was reading an article in a gardening magazine regarding Runner beans, when I came across this tip, that I think is worth trying...

"Believe it or not, pet hair can deter slugs"
"Runner beans are not just delicious, they're productive and give a great yield in a small space too."
"Traditional types have scarlet flowers but modern kinds with pink or white flowers can be easier to grow since they 'set' more easily.

"Slugs love them because...
Theyoung plants are tender and have stem and shoot when small. Beans need lots of water and that can encourage the slugs too. Seeds sown direct in the soil are even more vulnerable".

How to stop them...
Wool,dog hair (from brushing) and human hair, if you know a barber, are all effective barriers to slugs, which hate crawling over it. As a bonus, hair releases nitrogen to the soil as it decomposes - great for your beans".

[Old_Geezer]

Oh good. Got an excuse to shave the neighbours' cats then.

[Patsy33]

Thank you for that piece of information Chipchopper. Going to brush my cat now!

[Tilly2]

The thought of going to the barbers and coming home with a sackful of hair, fills me with dread. Uggggh!

[jomifl]

The cheapest and most enviromentally friendly slug killer is aluminium sulphate (the active ingredient in many slug/snail killers) just sprinkle it around plants in the evening or when slugs are active. It kills slugs by inhibiting muvus secretion and doesn't leave any toxic persistant residues that can harm garden wildlife (other than slugs).

[Old_Geezer]

It's avoiding making the growing veg toxic that I am wary about.
Do slug treatments work equally well on snails ? They seem to come & go together.

[jomifl]

O_G, Aluminium sulphate works just as well on slugs and snails and doesn't leave any toxic residues.

[Old_Geezer]

Cheers

[Oleanda]

Where do you by aluminium sulphate?

[melv16]

Where do you buy aluminum sulphate from, jomifl?

[Chipchopper]

Patsy,They say, its the cats whiskers ;-)

[murraymints]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_18?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=aluminium+sulphate&sprefix=aluminium+sulphate%2Caps%2C167

[Hopkirk]

Surely a slug is just a homeless snail

[Chipchopper]

Jomifl, Wont aluminium sulphate lower the Ph levels though ?

[murraymints]

it will !

[Togo]

It does chip. I use it on my Hydrangeas to turn them blue or deep purple. "She who must be obeyed" decided that pink was boring.

[jomifl]

/Wont aluminium sulphate lower the Ph levels though ? /
In theory yes but not significantly if used in the quantities necessary to kill snails. I used it on calcareous clay soil which has a strong buffering effect anyway and once the little *** are dealt with only occasional applications are needed around affected plants.

[webbo3]

This one is made from sheeps wool, we use to sell this where I use to work, the only thing is it pongs a bit.



Dave.

[Chipchopper]

Dave, If it pongs a bit who cares ?, as long as it deters the slugs and snails !
Hopefully, that old dog of mine can earn his keep and without the genocidal effects of chemical warfare :-)

[roopower]

Wow, I do hope it works. Finally, a use for our cats loose fur, they can start earning their keep.

[kuulteach]

I use stuff called slug clear which is systemic. I get trails to my wall planters but no damage to my mostly petunias. I also have a old wall covered in ivy which is home for s &n . Five years ago we (my son) 're pointed using lime which they def did not like... before planting I wire brush the walls to liven up the walls and lime which seems to put them off for a month ish