What's eating my marigold flowers?

[Outdoorsman]

I recently planted six marigold flowers in the small front south facing garden. The next morning all the flower heads had gone, leaving only the stems. I collect about five slugs and snails every morning, using a freezer bag and dispose of them in the bin. Is it these that are eating the flowers?
Thanks.
Odm.

[xanderma]

In my experience, it IS slugs and snails - they always ruin my marigolds.

Not sure what the answer is - I resorted to slug pellets, which did work, but then I worried about the effects on the garden environment, so stopped. I've tried other methods of catching slugs such as beer in a pot, which they climb into and drown, which seemed to work, but that seems too cruel!

I'll keep watching this thread, to see if you get any better answers than mine!!

[-scrumpy-]

Yes, I've had the same thing too, and I put it down to slugs and snails.

We've started using "nemaslug" this year to get rid of slugs. Do a google for nemaslug and find out all about it!

[janetsflower]

Salt is good at killing slugs too, and a catapult for firing them into your least favourite neighbours garden!! Maybe your neighbour is doing the same thing?? also crushed egg shells round plants

[Lonnie]

Just a word of warning, yes, salt does kill slugs, melts them, but its not good for the plants, too much will kill them too.

[robbiebobs]

hi there Yes answer is slugs they dont like crushed eggshells put a ring of crushed egg shells round plant stem in pot. slugs wont go over the gritty shell. i find it works good luck

[Outdoorsman]

Thanks for all your answers...The catapult idea is good, but you still have to handle the slugs! My house is on the side of a steep mountain overlooking a valley, so I could "ping" them over the edge of the cliff. Brilliant!
I'll try the eggshells too. Salt and slug pellets are out of the question because the make a slimy mess, thanks anyway. I'll give the beer a go too: what a wonderful way to die!
Odm.

[bricro]

If you can entice frogs,toads & hedgehogs into your garden your problem will be solved!.