Slugs..........

[carrust]

Has anyone on here had any success with using biological methods to control slugs. I'm fed-up with having a lot of spuds been damaged by the little blighters:-(

[Wak]

The best thing I found for slugs was a crystalline product which contained, If I remember correctly, Aluminium Silicate. As the slugs pass over the crystals it affects the slime mechanism and they dry up and die.
I can't remember the name of the product but look for the Aluminium Silicate content.

[SlackAlice]

I used the 'nematode' biological slug killer to quite good results in my flower garden, not sure about vegetable though.

[ttfn]

They really cant cope with egg shells but it would take quite a few to cover a row of spuds or more. I get a large empty coffee jar put a tbsp of salt in it and go in the garden at night with a torch and old silver sugar nips picking up every slug I can find. It takes some perseverance mind but you will cull the devils in the end. When the night duty is done I just put the lid back on the jar and give it a good shake. The same jar can last a few nights.

[heathfield]

Not sure if using beer is strictly a biological answer, but Google for 'slug beer traps'

[boxtops]

ttfn I think you have been looking over my garden fence, I do the same with the zillions of snails we get in our garden.

[Gail_Fawcast]

I hate slugs. I remember when I was abroad this massive "blighter" was crawling up the wall outside. It was called a banana slug - not because it ate bananas, but because it was the size of a banana - RE-VOL-TING

[boxtops]

BTW if you step on a slug in bare feet, the outcome is REVOLTING.

[Gail_Fawcast]

Ooh - that's gross, boxy

[boxtops]

I didn't do it on purpose, I promise!

[madmaggot]

If you have raised beds, put copper tape or wire around the bed. Really works!
Regular raking helps because they follow the slime trail to get back to the plant.

[ttfn]

well who is going to waste any decent brew on slugs. When the slugs are really rampant I go out more than once a night to catch them. Surprise attacks work well!

[johnk]

I've managed to reduce slug damage a lot. I use beer traps and dry traps which I check each day, it only takes 5 minutes. the upside down terracotta coloured plastic pot trays are the best the slugs seem to favour them. I collect the slugs up with an old spoon and throw them in the bin where they are in slug heaven!! I also go out of a night sometimes when they are crossing th path from the lawn. I beleive copper strip works as it does something to the slime but it must be kept bright.

[carrust]

Thank you for your answers. The major problem I have is that the slugs are ones that live in the soil up to 18" deep. The above methods are ok for duffing 'em up on the surface of the soil.

[redman41]

carrust, this is a quote from a Gardening Site

1.Avoid planting potatoes into heavy soil, which is favoured by slugs.
2. Avoid sowing potatoes into a site bordering grass, compost heaps or piles of organic waste, as all of these provide a base from which the slugs will carry out their midnight raids.
3. Dig over your soil once or twice before planting, this will bring slug eggs to the surface to be eaten by birds.
4. You can try planting potato varieties offering high resistance to slug attack such as Pentland Dell, or medium resistance such as King Edwards or Records.
5. Better still plant a variety that you can harvest early to prevent prolonged attack.
6. Avoid excessive watering of your crop, slug’s love slithering on wet soil.
7. Turn old wet sacks and rotten boards to your advantage, by leaving them encircling your potato crop. Arrive each morning with a smile, a wheelbarrow and a spade to gleefully scrape off the slugs from beneath these damp covers

[Nosha123]

nematodes should be fine to use on veg.. and work underground oo - as long as the soil doesnt dry out.. I have just used some and not seen a single slug for weeks!!!

[lizzydrippin]

I use the copper rings (google slug rings) and find they work relatively well if you keep them well scrubbed up, not alot of good for a whole load of spuds tho!

[askyourgran]

Saucers of beer

[Gail_Fawcast]

What - and get them rat@arsed gran? Love it!