Open Association of Landscape Industries
Weapons grade slug solution
Recently I've been having a few problems with slugs naturally eating everything I plant or care for. In some cases stripping 2-3m of planting border back to the ground (Hostas and Petunia mostly). I've tried slug pellets (en masse) Nematodes and beer traps, but so far they still seem to be getting through. I know its a fact of life, but in these particular gardens the slugs seem to be immune to everything I throw at them!
Has anyone got any suggestions, bar Chickens, Ducks or going to a customers house at 2am on a rainy night with a skewer?
Replies to This Discussion
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
Can you do anything to attract hedgehogs and toads? Both are rather partial to slugs.
You could build/install a hedgehog house to attract hedgehogs or lay down some old carpet or old wooden boards (not tin because it can get too hot) in a dark damp spot to attract toads.
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Permalink Reply by Bigyin on -
A few ideas here.
http://www.ghorganics.com/page13.html
If it were me I'd try a combination of garlic wash or neem oil and a sprinkling of ferrous sulphate in crystal form.
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Permalink Reply by Simon Smith on -
Here is a new one for you, Nematode Worms! I found this via a guy over here in northern ireland who is an expert hosta growers with over 100 varieties. A customer of mine has 30 varities in his garden and not one is touched by a slug. You have to keep them in the fridge though which is a bit weird.
They are not particularly cheap but as i said very effective
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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Ward on -
Have a look at www.ecocharlie.co.uk
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Jen@A&J Owenwindows&gardens on -
All good ideas above!
I have actually gone for a more drastic solution in our garden (and in my recommended plantings to clients) in that I remove from the garden plants such as hostas and plant them up in pots. I find that if these are surrounded by gravel the slugs don't bother with them. In fact there is virtually nil slug damage in our garden and the gardens I've planted because I don't give them what they like to eat! Two years ago it was a plant massacre out there - I'd had enough and I won't use chemicals (and it doesn't sound as if they work anyway!) so the only solution was to move the most attacked ones into pots and replace with things they don't like.
I do like petunias but again these are in pots and on gravel. I also never water at night because I find damp surfaces make it easier for them to move on.
Copper tape round pots is also good.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by David Cox on -
Thanks for the Hints - I've tried the Nematodes, but reading more into it, they seem to take time to take effect.
I will be saving the Hostas into pots this week - hopefully they shall recover. As for the Annual bedding plants - alas over 200 have been munched out of existence. The only issue I've got is the customer wants a border, and not pots which means perhaps crushed cockle shells to be added to the armoury.
Phil - I like the idea of Hedgehog and toad, however the property is bounded on 2 sides by busy roads, and the area is quite urban, so alot may get flattened. Toads probabbly are most likely to move in tho.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Jen@A&J Owenwindows&gardens on -
You can try them - I found them only to be of any use until it rained......I had to keep replenishing them.
How about trying different bedding. Petunias and marigolds do seem to be their favourite. Perhaps try something like Diascia, Lobelia or Nemesia - they didn't touch those?
David Cox said:Thanks for the Hints - I've tried the Nematodes, but reading more into it, they seem to take time to take effect.
I will be saving the Hostas into pots this week - hopefully they shall recover. As for the Annual bedding plants - alas over 200 have been munched out of existence. The only issue I've got is the customer wants a border, and not pots which means perhaps crushed cockle shells to be added to the armoury.
Phil - I like the idea of Hedgehog and toad, however the property is bounded on 2 sides by busy roads, and the area is quite urban, so alot may get flattened. Toads probabbly are most likely to move in tho.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by David Cox on -
There are a few lonely Lobelia left! However I really need something with a nice simple flower (I.E. Petunia) which is good for quick ground cover.
Im going to try Mesembryanthemum as a quick solution, and perhaps some Tagetes, though it means totally changing the feel of the area.Bummer.
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Permalink Reply by pete on -
Bad news David – slugs like Tagetes - If you use pellets, you do only need one every 4 or 5 inches.. the slugs are attracted to them. I limit the planting of slugs favourite plants and spread fine gravel round any big ones I do plant... and Hostas look great in pots.
Here's a piece Pip Howard posted a couple of years back... “Slug and Snail Control”
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Garden Doctor Chris on -
Following advice from a hedgehog sanctuary in Devon I bought a large sack of horse bran that I keep in the shed and every now and again I sling handfuls of the bran around vulnerable plants. The slugs and snails are rather partial to the bran which diverts them from the green shoots. It may also give them some dehydration problems when it's still dry but I can't be sure about that. I also leave some less vigorous but unwanted plants/weeds around my wanted plants for the same reason - culinary diversions.
good luck
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Permalink Reply by Dan Pearce on -
Crush a clove of garlic, boil it in boiling water. Strain it, then when cold add 20mil to a water can and happy watering. Oh and throw away the remains of the garlic.
The Hanging Hostas of Hampshire use this method and they have thousands of hostas and no slug damage.
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