[Rainman]

just had a crop of 30 runner bean plants reduced to 1, something is nibbling off the leaves a leaving a plant with just a main stem and leaf stalks any ideas, there are rabbits around but some of the leaves were quite high up 2'
cant see any other pests around

[Oliver]

rabbits

 :shock: well, that's a blow! Over what period did this happen? Could be rabbits for the lower leaves, but snails for the rest. Happened to us to our 3 beans in pots (grown as decoration, you understand!). The ones on the plot seemed to grow faster so out grew the snails - they only really go for the tender leaves, when the leaves get a bit bigger and tougher the snails move on (unless she gets 'em first).

[mixdiver]

My money is on slugs- go out at night with a torch and pick the little darlings up or POISON them!!

Mixdiver

[Oliver]

My money is on slugs- go out at night with a torch and pick the little darlings up or POISON them!!

Mixdiver

Didn't know that slugs climbed up poles! but the torch methods applies to snails as well: She has been known to go on the great snail hung in her greenhouse

[Rainman]

Allotment a bit far to go wandering around with a torch, would probably be arrested for raiding allotments, poison sounds a good idea, any organic slug pellets on the market

[Oliver]

organic slug pellets on the market

Growing Success Advanced Slug Killer
Only targets slugs.

[Jake]

Visit at night and snip them in half.

Honestly, it feels better, you have a reason to be there, and for the slug its better than drying up to death, Sort of.

Maybe. :?

[milkman]

and cut in half slug is much tastier and more bite-size for the hedgehog or froggie or slow worm or centipede that comes across it to eat it than full size poisoned slug... :?

[Heather_S]

The Advanced Slug Killer pellets are safe for hedgehogs etc though. Plus the bottle claims the slugs just get full and sleepy feeling and go underground to die rather than with the traditional pellets where the slugs eat the pellets and writhe around in agony for hours on end before dying and leaving their dead bodies everywhere.

[Ali]

They deserve it