Help! Slugs are eating everything is sight!
by
Ann B
+14
I have these little tiny slugs that come out at night and eat all my plants. I have tried Bug Getta,
beer, pine needles and mulch to keep the little boogers from destroying everything in my garden.
I have even resorted to going out at night with a flashlight and actually picking them off the flowers! Any one have a solution?
beer, pine needles and mulch to keep the little boogers from destroying everything in my garden.
I have even resorted to going out at night with a flashlight and actually picking them off the flowers! Any one have a solution?
14 answers
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Take a lids from a old jars and pour any beer in it. Set it out in the garden and they will climb in for a drink, but can't get out. Check it the next day. If it rains don't forget to dump it and replace with fresh beer. This really works.
Cindy T. Of Mich
on Aug 16, 2013
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I know someone who swears by gum balls (from the trees, not the mouth!) I collect the ones dropped in my yard and bring them to him for his hostas.
Becky P
on Aug 17, 2013
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Thanks, Becky, that's one thing I had not thought of. My slugs are so small they could probably go between the tines of the balls. I will try these, if I can find some. For once in my life I have no sweet gum trees in my yard.
Ann B
on Aug 17, 2013
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@ what are gum balls? From what kinds of trees? I haven't heard that expression before.
Kim Campbell
on Aug 17, 2013
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I have not tried this but read to save egg shells crumble them and put around your plants. The slugs don't like crawling across them, probably same theory as the gum balls.
Charlotte Kent
on Aug 17, 2013
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Tthanks, Charlotte. That would be good if we ate a lot of eggs and I had only a few plants that needed help. There are LOTS of plants and so few eggs!
Ann B
on Aug 17, 2013
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Kim, Sweet Gum trees are beautiful trees sort of like Maple Trees with one exception. In the fall they produce round seed balls that are about the size of a quarter rounded that have spikes all over them.And they fall all over your yard. The spikes are not like briars but are spiky enought to hurt your feet when you walk on them and are a real pain when you are trying to mow grass!
Ann B
on Aug 17, 2013
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Slugs that small? wow...wonder if they really are slugs? Course if they are hatching all over then maybe there is some way to control them from the source?
Tanya Peterson Felsheim
on Aug 17, 2013
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@ ahh haven't seen one. I am in the PNW... or actually our PSW in Canada.
Kim Campbell
on Aug 17, 2013
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I wonder if bird gravel, would work, it is crushed oyster shells I think.
Kim Campbell
on Aug 17, 2013
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I've used beer in the past with good results!
Bea
on Aug 18, 2013
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@Cindy T. Of Mich Get a bag of crushed oyster shell and dump a small trail around your most precious plants. Slugs don't like crawling across that. If you have wooden box raised beds, nail a copper wire, all the way around from edge to edge. Slugs like to lay under that mulch, under stacks of old wood, and other things to stay cool during the heat of the day. Also, in an empty dishwashing detergent bottle put 1/4 to 1/3 ammonia and then fill the rest of the way with water. Take this concoction with you to the garden and squirt the slugs when you see them. Grandma used to carry a salt shaker in her apron. When she'd salt the slugs, they'd slime off the plant they'd been chewing and die. The salt would stay on the plant in the 'slug trail'. The ammonia and water won't hurt the plants, but kills the slugs just the same. Are you sure slugs are causing all the damage? Can you attach a picture?
Cynthia Morgan
on Aug 18, 2013
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DE ( Diatomaceus earth) is another great item...it is like a fine sand that is very irritating to them.
KMS Woodworks
on Aug 18, 2013
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Oh, yes, Cindy, these are slugs. I've dealt with them all my life but the excessive rain we have been having has really brought them out. I had forgotten the salt idea. Thanks!
Ann B
on Aug 18, 2013
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