slugs

[RFoz32]

Why won't the birds eat the slugs in my garden ? they could have a feast ! At the moment beer traps are the only method that seems to work in controlling them but its not very plesant.

[Robinia]

It's usually the thrush that will eat slugs & snails so if like me you don't have those visiting or any other predators they'll literally have a field day.

there's a list of predators here

[RFoz32]

thankyou The slugs in my garden are already having a field day, they stripped the french marigolds in one day. I will have a go at encouraging preditors in, I don't like to use chemicals if I can help it.

[RFoz32]

I have also found that in my experience lemon balm doesn't repel them!

[shaneystar2]

I have three thrushes who visit occasionally and blackbirds but even their appetites are not big enough for the little bgrs! I found a frog the other week and I keep calling him him to come and have meal but he seems to have hopped it .!
Have you tried that stuff which is like sea shells crushed up .I have had good results from that especially for stuff in pots .You can put a circle of it around any tender plants that are in the ground . They won't cross it as scratches their dear little tummies .As if I care !
Copper tape is good too and vaseline smeared round the tops of pots . Or sandpaper ..they hate sandpaper .I can't think of the name of that seashell stuff but it's not expensive ..about a quid for a big box of it which you should be able to get in Wilkies or a gardening place.

[RFoz32]

hi Shaneystar 2 and Robinia Thanks again for the advise - shaney you made me laugh I'm past caring about their fate I was putting them into the compost to help break it down but I went out at 4:30am this morning and both slugs and snails where rampaging through my plants I bought yesterday and I thought I don't care any more this needs to stop! Sometimes I get disheartened and wonder why I waste my money. I know it feels like I'm fighting a losing battle but my only hope is to find plants they don't touch and keep on with the disgusting smelly beer traps.
In my small garden I have noticed they don't go near
Roses, lavender, and lilies- but I have to watch for the small red lily bettle which is a pest and needs to be removed and disposed of I'm now going off the subject. Just had another look round garden and I seem to have damage to most plants. I'm gonna stop whinging now and crack open that beer for me and the slugs! Ha Ha

[RFoz32]

I meant to say Beetle not bettle in the last post!

[shaneystar2]

Ooh I know the feeling ..I used to creep around at night with a torch and as I cannot bear to touch the wretched things. I used to get them on a trowel and hurl them over the fence . My sons said to me ..."Mother ..have you ever thought about someone coming along the alley ?" "How would you like a slimy slug up the back of your neck !! " They are swines of the highest degree ..the slugs that is ..not the sons !

[RFoz32]

lol I swear when I throw them over the neighbours fence there back before I get in the house. They are homing snails!!! I have got such a girly throw I can't throw them far enough! As for the snugs I can only move them with a big strawberry leaf.

[RFoz32]

ahhhh lol what happening with my spelling? Slugs - although I call them something much worst when I see them chewing on my flowers!

[Robinia]

hahaha - this has made me laugh...what hypocrites we are - no chemicals & yet quite willing to hurl, drown or dispose of them in ways we'd rather not admit to!
It's not a joke about them 'homing', apparently they do. My neighbour used to fling them across the road which was a wasted exercise as it's not exactly the M25.
I have visions of them treating shaney's garden as a bush tucker trial in reverse....the first 'monster' past the obstacles gets the nice dinner.

[Lonnie]

You've got some excellent advice here, so I won't add to it, except to say, Beer Traps attract the perishers, which is what they are meant to do, same as pellets.
Problem is, you not only get the ones in your garden, but your neighbours, and their neighbours etc.

[RFoz32]

oh well as least we are helping our neighbours too!! they can all come to the beer festival and drown!! ha ha

[puzzled54]

I know its revolting, but if you sprinle salt on them, it kills them instantly.

[RFoz32]

yeah I have done that in the past, they go all fizzy - yuk I really don't think there is an easy way- I have tried nematodes and thats probably worked once but you have to keep re -doing it and I can't say its the best solution, you have to be patient cause all that rain we have just had has probably washed them away!! - Ihave now noticed that sometimes if you throw them were the birds can see them they will swoop down( starlings are good at this) and clear some of them away as long as no cats are about they will come down also if they are put in an area where the slugs/snails can't get out for example in the middle of egg shells or in the middle of a mulch, then they aren't given enough time to get any where before the birds come down. I'm still trying to get on top of this problem. The little and big blighters are visable after the heavy rain, I'm guessing cause the ground is softer for them to move along the earth so I go out during the rain storm or just after if I don't fancy getting wet and pick them up, either put them in a bag and then put them in the trash or throw them somewhere the birds can see them clearly .... If I come up with any more Ideas I will post them on Watch this space!! Happy gardening!!

[RFoz32]

ps there isn't a website called "Watch this space" I meant to say it will be on this section of answer bank!!

[puzzled54]

I think putting them in a bag in the trash is crueller than instant death by salt. I do put some in my garden waste bin, or slug heaven as I call it, but they do try to get out. The other option I have is to throw them over the fence to next doors chickens - but is that any kinder? Also have problems with ants and woodlice...and blackfly......sometimes I think gardening is just a battle!

[rosyherb]

I put them in a peanut feeder for the birds or in the garden recycling as snails and slugs are prone to return from where ever they are thrown. I used to plant Garlic and lavander for geting rid of greenfly and black fly also aphids dont like them either. I get wood lice in my compost but they don't seem to do any harm!