Wednesday, 1 June 2016

Homage to Slugs

I've been chastised for using slug pellets (not by an allotment holder, obviously!). I agree they are horrible. They kill horribly and are indiscriminate in the type of slug they kill. Not all slugs are bad slugs. Many of them kill unwanted pests in the soil. Others help in the decomposition of organic matter to make our lovely compost. But lots of them enjoy fresh veg more than Jamie does!
There are other methods of clearing slugs - all just as nasty and painful (I usually regret talking to people about their slug deterrent methods!) and mostly ineffective. Beer traps are probably the least offensive and reasonably successful slug deterrent, though still indiscriminate. We've tried using broken pottery, coffee and sand around plants but they have either been ineffective or the rain washes it away just as the slugs are on the move. Copper tape is only good for pots and we're not convinced it works.
So, we'll continue to use organic slug pellets sparingly. We'll use them under netting to stop the birds eating them.
If slugs eat the parsnips we sowed at the weekend (we've opted for Tender and True this year) or eat the bud off our remaining blue poppy I'll be very unhappy.
If they take out our runner beans (Scarlet Empire) and the squashes the day after we plant them out we'll be very unhappy!
If they eat our peppers which we've just moved up to the greenhouse we'll be very unhappy!
But, I'll try not to hate all slugs. Really, I will!

14 comments:

  1. No point feeling guilty. Kill them like a warrior!
    Hope your plants survive.
    If only the slugs would learn to stay away...

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  2. I loathe and detest the little buggers. The only good slug is one that the chickens have eaten.

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  3. At the moment I am inspired to do a twin blog to yours but with the title changed from "slugs" to "rabbits."

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    1. Ah, that's something we don't suffer because of the rabbit fencing. I guess we should count outselves lucky!

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  4. They are interesting creatures but I just cannot bring myself to love them. At the moment we are a little anxious about the climbing beans we have put out. As an attempt at deterring the molluscs,we are using a spray that is supposed to repel slugs. It worked on the hostas last year.

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    1. I haven't seen the spray. That sound interesting, will take a look

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  5. Lots of slugs here in the rainy Seattle area. I would love to be able to live with them. I'd even plant them their own little patch if they would confine themselves to its boundaries. Unfortunately they will not be corralled. I use the pellets but not without a little guilt.

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  6. I use 6 Beer Traps or Slug Pubs as I like to call them. They seem to work well. Also I have been using Slug Gone wool pellets which I am impressed with. My slugs hunts at 11pm always find a few too. If only there were one easy solution. I really think it would be great if they sold Frogs in the Garden Centre. Take care now. Marion x

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    1. Slug pubs, hoho! I'd love a pond, but will wait till we have a permanent site...

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  7. As long as you use your slug pellets sparingly I fully approve!
    Some idiots put them on as a blue mulch - in fact most gardeners do! They are of course a bait and the slugs will find them and unless it is really wet they will die.

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    1. Yes, we often see people doing the "Marsh Lane shake"!

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Belinda