[Misc] Snails and slugs

PeterT · May 20, 2022

Seeing some of my prized plants eaten to bits, I went out into the garden after the rain last night looking for the little b*ggers responsible. I stopped counting at ~40, I’m amazed there was anything left growing if that’s what I can easily find in 10 minutes!

They seem resistant to the pet friendly pellets too!

robinsonsgrin · May 20, 2022

the nursery chap suggested copper around plants.. had a bag of 2ps so tried that instead... definite imporovement on the eaten ratio of my bedding..

stewart12 · May 20, 2022

if you don't mind killing them, stick a glass/mug of beer outside- they absolutely love the smell, they slide on into the cup and die a boozy, drowney death

WATFORD zero · May 20, 2022

stewart12 said:
if you don't mind killing them, stick a glass/mug of beer outside- they absolutely love the smell, they slide on into the cup and die a boozy, drowney death

To be fair, we all have to go someday and I can think of worse ways :wink:

PeterT · May 20, 2022

stewart12 said:
if you don't mind killing them, stick a glass/mug of beer outside- they absolutely love the smell, they slide on into the cup and die a boozy, drowney death

There was a time when I would have considered their welfare too, but I think I’m past that now!

stewart12 · May 20, 2022

PeterT said:
There was a time when I would have considered their welfare too, but I think I’m past that now!

in which case I'd recommend the boozy method

you'll be amazed at how many you get

PeterT · May 20, 2022

stewart12 said:
in which case I'd recommend the boozy method

you'll be amazed at how many you get

I’ll try that tonight. I’ve got some Peroni in the garage that isn’t my favourite, hope it’s to their taste!

Surf's Up · May 20, 2022

robinsonsgrin said:
the nursery chap suggested copper around plants.. had a bag of 2ps so tried that instead... definite imporovement on the eaten ratio of my bedding..

Copper rings don't stop 'em!!

Jack Straw · May 20, 2022

I saw something on the telly this morning about this.
The bloke said he boils up lots of whole garlic cloves in water and simmers them for nine hours, or for as long as you can stand the stench in your kitchen. Then water the brew over the top of the plants that the slugs and snails like.

If it doesn't work, you've got a nice french meal of escargots without any extra cooking!

Bold Seagull · May 20, 2022

Isn't slug repellent wool matting and wool pellets the latest best method of defending against the slimy pests?

zefarelly · May 20, 2022

no more blue pellets

A gang of hedgehogs

as long as they agree to share the hedge at the end of a shift

PeterT · May 20, 2022

zefarelly said:
no more blue pellets

A gang of hedgehogs

as long as they agree to share the hedge at the end of a shift

I would love the hedgehog method, but never seen one in my garden in 20 years. Just had a few days away in Norfolk and saw loads there, maybe I should have brought a couple back with me!

METALMICKY · May 20, 2022

Never mind the slugs it's the neighborhood cats dumping on my lawn that's getting silly. I tried one those ultrasound devices that supposedly scares them off and one virtually dumped right next to it . Tried orange peel as they are not meant to like citrus smell but that too was a miserable failure. It's not that I'm remotely precious about the lawn and I don't like gardening. However, I have two young kids who like to play out and the cats particularly like the area underneath their trampoline.

Aside from bear traps and gun turrets any suggestions please from the NSC garden experts?

zefarelly · May 20, 2022

PeterT said:
I would love the hedgehog method, but never seen one in my garden in 20 years. Just had a few days away in Norfolk and saw loads there, maybe I should have brought a couple back with me!

same, I had a frequent visitor when I lived next to the church yard, but nothing here in 19 years. a walled garden doesn't help!

As for cats . . .bit of friendly fire . . . air pistol pelet up the backside got rid of our neighbours cat . . he never came back.

Mileoakman · May 20, 2022

Jack Straw said:
I saw something on the telly this morning about this.
The bloke said he boils up lots of whole garlic cloves in water and simmers them for nine hours, or for as long as you can stand the stench in your kitchen. Then water the brew over the top of the plants that the slugs and snails like.

If it doesn't work, you've got a nice french meal of escargots without any extra cooking!

Yes I've done that and it really works. You store the foul mixture in an old plastic milk bottle and you only need a tablespoon in a gallon of water. Only problem is that you have to keep doing it at least once a week! You can buy garlic granules which do the same thing but that's a bit more expensive.

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Coldeanseagull · May 20, 2022

Everything seems fair game for the molluscs...except the palms. However, to save my dahlias, cannas, zantedeschias and the like, I'm reverting to the beer method. I have loads of stuff visit which is meant to eat gastropods, but not in the numbers required to have a noticeable effect. I've tried the garlic treatment with mixed results.
I really miss metaldehyde

Is it PotG? · May 20, 2022

Simples, same happens to these critters.

Coldeanseagull · May 20, 2022

Is it PotG? said:
View attachment 148052

Simples, same happens to these critters.

Yeah, I've tried with a weed burner as well. Too expensive

Worried Man Blues · May 20, 2022

Sorry to say this (OP) but this year we have almost no slugs and snails (I will probably regret saying this), none of my little seedlings have been hit. I do have copious amounts of the illegal blue pellets that work brilliantly! But no need as the blackbirds and thrushes seem to have done their jobs this year or maybe global warming is the slugs greatest enemy.

vegster · May 20, 2022

Beer traps are the way to go. I use empty Hummous/Olive plastic pots with lids . I cut a slot about to 2cm down the side of the pot, fill it with the cheapest supermarket beer ( about £1.99 for 4 large cans ) and clip the lid back on.. then place it near your plants and check the next day.

The lid slows down the evaporation of the beer and stops rain or watering diluting it. You will be surprised how many of the ******** there are in a garden.

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[Misc] Snails and slugs

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