slugs

[mats01_99]

I went into my back garden yesterday evening and I noticed literally tens of slugs crawling all over my lawn. I thought they only came out in the wet!, not the searing heat we've been having of late. Should I get rid?, and if so, how? Thanks all

[WendyS]

They don't like the heat & dry weather but have to come out when the temperature cools down in the evening to eat. If you have plants that arn't vulnerable to slugs I'd be inclined to leave them in case you have frogs, hedgehogs visiting your garden, both of whom eat them and the early morning birds visiting will also finish a few off. If they're happily munching away at valuable plants, then you may have to use slug pellets which you can buy from garden centre.

[$~Jeep~$]

Please, please, please don't use slug pellets. We are loosing our blackbirds, thrushes, frogs and hedgehogs being poisoned by the pellets when they eat the slugs and snails! I know that they are a damn nuisance, but there are other ways to kill em off. Sprinkle salt on them; put them in boiling water; set beer traps; slice them in half lengthways (they can reproduce if cut across the body), anything but not the pellets.

If you have any vunerable plants in posts i.e Hosta the Slug Stoppa Tape (made by Fito) is excellent. I have this around two planters in my garden and the leaves are untouched, and have been since I first used the tape 4 years ago. Apparently the copper tape gives the slugs or snails a mild electric type shock.