My go to for slugs and snail without using dangerous chemical, I have four Yorkies and using harsh chemicals can be fatal to them. I spread diatomaceous earth. It is created by grinding sea shells. When slugs and snails crawl over the barrier they create tears in their underside. This product is not harmful to humans or pets, (just pests).
Diatomaceous earth can be purchased in garden centres. It's a very fine (natural) silica powder that will slice & dice soft-bellied crawlies, especially slugs & snails. Easy to apply - but you have to reapply after rain, Another alternative, if you eat a lot of eggs, is to wash the eggshells and then grind them up really fine. They should have the same effect.
Safer Slug bait. It is cheap, not chemical and is safe for kids, birds and pets. I have used it effectively for years. I read an article in a gardening magazine yesterday about this top and they said one of the biggest gardening myths was that diatomaceous earth and crushed eggs shells, copper wire etc DO NOT stop slugs. They said slugs generate so much slime that they can move over the edge of a razor blade and still not be cut. They actually suggested that you put sheets of cardboard around the plants and then in the morning lift them up and find the slugs are hiding there. Then take them and drown them in soap water. For those people who have suggested eggs shells etc I DID NOT say it did not work I just am quoting the article.
Egg shells does not work in my world. Manny attempts with different idees and none that works so far exept hand picking and poison and I hate the latter idee. Poison should be banned.
I've used the safer bait that contains Iron Phosphate several times, but I just read a report this very night that there have now been confirmed dog deaths connected to it. It actually does contain a chemical that's not on the label. http://www.hostalibrary.org/firstlook/RRIronPhosphate.htm I'm glad I saw this, because my little ShihTzu is so food driven that she eats bird seed off the ground. It has been a while since I used it because it's so expensive. Such a ripoff! I've gone out at night with a flashlight and picked them off my plants.
This is interesting because the only information on this on the web is this man's article. Everyone else says it is fine. Even an article published today by Cummings Vet School. Two things: if you are nervous don't use it obviously. Second, I will say I have used it for years with no problems with from 5 to 9 cats roaming my garden. Lastly, I had a look at this man's personal website and he has, what I consider, some rather dubious posts about a variety of things. I will continue to research. Thanks for posting.
I have used diatomaceous earth and it does work. Does not harm other plants and is non-toxic to people, pets, and food.
I have used salt also on ones that were on solid surface away from plants. But salt will kill your plants.
Trapping with the cardboard seems like a good idea, then dump them in a clay saucer and pour on the salt. When the job is done, dump it into a garbage bag.
Get small plastic throw away bowls. Mix tablespoon of dawn dishwasing soap. Place these bowls with soapy water out in yard about every 4 feet apart. This overnight will trap and kill them. Easy peasy.
I use an individual water bottle. Cut off the top where it tapers in. Invert the top into the bottom and staple in place or use duct tape. Remove cap. Put some beer in the bottle and insert into the ground with the neck opening just under the soil. The slugs get in but can't get out. If it rains you don't have to worry about replenishing any powders or such. Check in a week or two to make sure there is still beer in the bottle.
Beer does work. I place empty tuna cans in dirt up to the rim and put in beer (any cheap kind~~they don't care). This also attracts snails and does away with them. Easy clean up, just toss in garbage can.
When I lived in Pittsburgh, PA we always used small old sauceres filled with the cheapest beer you could find. They migrated into the saucers, drank the beer and died.
Take a plastic bottle, that pop usually comes in, cut off the very top, about 6" from the top, and insert that into the bottom of the bottle. It will make the entry to the bottle, and they can't get out. . . at all. Then, in the fall, you can throw away this bottle, and begin again, next yr. You can lay this on top of the flower bed, and your dogs, cats, or other animals can't enter. This is the best answer, EVER!!!
And NO EXTRA charge, for added stuff from a hardware store. This is the tops for controlling this question, believe me!!! I am sure many will copy this idea, best wishes to all!!!
You are right they do, but egg shell must be dried and crushed in sufficient quantity to place around the plants. I do use them but organic Diatomaceous earth ( crushed seashells) is a quick way to save your plants from destruction.
In Oregon, slug heaven, they become a real problem. The kids like to salt them and watch them shrivel, but that to me is cruel. Fill a container half full of beer. Flat is fine. Sink the container so the rim is flush with the ground. The slugs love beer, and will happily drown themselves.
I've used the safer bait that contains Iron Phosphate several times, but I just read a report this very night that there have now been confirmed dog deaths connected to it. It actually does contain a chemical that's not on the label. http://www.hostalibrary.org/firstlook/RRIronP... I'm glad I saw this, because my little ShihTzu is so food driven that she eats bird seed off the ground. It has been a while since I used it because it's so expensive. Such a ripoff! I've gone out at night with a flashlight and picked them off my plants.
BEER...use a tin, (tuna, canned chicken) or small jar placed in the ground. Fill it half-way with the beer. You don't have to bury it , just low enough for slugs to crawl into and drown . What a way to go... Worked great for me.
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My go to for slugs and snail without using dangerous chemical, I have four Yorkies and using harsh chemicals can be fatal to them. I spread diatomaceous earth. It is created by grinding sea shells. When slugs and snails crawl over the barrier they create tears in their underside. This product is not harmful to humans or pets, (just pests).
Diatomaceous earth can be purchased in garden centres. It's a very fine (natural) silica powder that will slice & dice soft-bellied crawlies, especially slugs & snails. Easy to apply - but you have to reapply after rain, Another alternative, if you eat a lot of eggs, is to wash the eggshells and then grind them up really fine. They should have the same effect.
Safer Slug bait. It is cheap, not chemical and is safe for kids, birds and pets. I have used it effectively for years. I read an article in a gardening magazine yesterday about this top and they said one of the biggest gardening myths was that diatomaceous earth and crushed eggs shells, copper wire etc DO NOT stop slugs. They said slugs generate so much slime that they can move over the edge of a razor blade and still not be cut. They actually suggested that you put sheets of cardboard around the plants and then in the morning lift them up and find the slugs are hiding there. Then take them and drown them in soap water. For those people who have suggested eggs shells etc I DID NOT say it did not work I just am quoting the article.
Eggs shells and diatomaesous earth.
Sprinkle table salt directly on the slugs. It melts them.
I have used diatomaceous earth and it does work. Does not harm other plants and is non-toxic to people, pets, and food.
I have used salt also on ones that were on solid surface away from plants. But salt will kill your plants.
Trapping with the cardboard seems like a good idea, then dump them in a clay saucer and pour on the salt. When the job is done, dump it into a garbage bag.
Get small plastic throw away bowls. Mix tablespoon of dawn dishwasing soap. Place these bowls with soapy water out in yard about every 4 feet apart. This overnight will trap and kill them. Easy peasy.
the slugs will leave if you spread coffee grounds
There are different slug granuals...just get the ORMI stamps. The one you purchase..
Egg shells around in your flower beds
I use an individual water bottle. Cut off the top where it tapers in. Invert the top into the bottom and staple in place or use duct tape. Remove cap. Put some beer in the bottle and insert into the ground with the neck opening just under the soil. The slugs get in but can't get out. If it rains you don't have to worry about replenishing any powders or such. Check in a week or two to make sure there is still beer in the bottle.
I have no tried it, but I heard, put beer in a saucer, and They will collect in the beer and though them in the trash ( they died happy)
When I lived in Pittsburgh, PA we always used small old sauceres filled with the cheapest beer you could find. They migrated into the saucers, drank the beer and died.
Good luck
Ha....I walk the roadsides picking up litter, the beer cans are always full of slugs!
Beer in a throwaway pan works great.Refill every night.
Take a plastic bottle, that pop usually comes in, cut off the very top, about 6" from the top, and insert that into the bottom of the bottle. It will make the entry to the bottle, and they can't get out. . . at all. Then, in the fall, you can throw away this bottle, and begin again, next yr. You can lay this on top of the flower bed, and your dogs, cats, or other animals can't enter. This is the best answer, EVER!!!
Ducks!
You can also put beer in a low lying dish and the slugs go for that and drown.
You are right they do, but egg shell must be dried and crushed in sufficient quantity to place around the plants. I do use them but organic Diatomaceous earth ( crushed seashells) is a quick way to save your plants from destruction.
In Oregon, slug heaven, they become a real problem. The kids like to salt them and watch them shrivel, but that to me is cruel. Fill a container half full of beer. Flat is fine. Sink the container so the rim is flush with the ground. The slugs love beer, and will happily drown themselves.
I use plastic cups, cut down to 1 1/2". fill with stale beer. slugs are attracted, and drowned.
put out a pie plate full of beer and they will all go right to it and drown themselves!
I've used the safer bait that contains Iron Phosphate several times, but I just read a report this very night that there have now been confirmed dog deaths connected to it. It actually does contain a chemical that's not on the label. http://www.hostalibrary.org/firstlook/RRIronP... I'm glad I saw this, because my little ShihTzu is so food driven that she eats bird seed off the ground. It has been a while since I used it because it's so expensive. Such a ripoff! I've gone out at night with a flashlight and picked them off my plants.
table salt, works every time
BEER...use a tin, (tuna, canned chicken) or small jar placed in the ground. Fill it half-way with the beer. You don't have to bury it , just low enough for slugs to crawl into and drown . What a way to go... Worked great for me.
Spread Epsom Salts - The coarseness of Epsom salts cut the slugs as they crawl across it and they'll die. Works for me
Bonus, plants like Epsom Salts