[slowcompost]

Thought I'd start a thread on ways of dealing with with slugs, if ones not already running.
A cute way i was given by a little old church going lady you'd think would'nt hurt a fly. Was to always carry a pair of scissors, and every time you see one cut the * in half. They dont like that much.
 One I've tried with some success is soot round the plants and in with the potatos.
Someone used to leave bags of soot at the allotments so it was easy to get.

[davep]

:shock:  :shock:  :shock: pure evil from the old girl!!!bad karma man,bad karma........ :twisted:

[ytyynycefn]

A cute way i was given by a little old church going lady you'd think would'nt hurt a fly. Was to always carry a pair of scissors, and every time you see one cut the * in half. They dont like that much.

I do this - it has a zero re-offending rate  :twisted:  The remains are always hoovered up by something, so I like to think some helpful creature might stay on my plot if it gets a poison-free snack all helpfully cut up into bite sized chunks!

[Annie]

Only problem with scissors is that the little black ones are too small and I cannot bring myself to snip the hugh 4" long ones.

[Aidy]

Annie, what you need is what I breed!





these little monsters



     

[Jim T]

Thought I'd start a thread on ways of dealing with with slugs, if ones not already running.
A cute way i was given by a little old church going lady you'd think would'nt hurt a fly. Was to always carry a pair of scissors, and every time you see one cut the * in half. They dont like that much.
 One I've tried with some success is soot round the plants and in with the potatos.
Someone used to leave bags of soot at the allotments so it was easy to get.

  Well what a coincidence, slowc., I was going to ask about this myself because I have just put the spuds in and a friend said I should get some of the biological control NEMATODES. I went to Gordale Nuseries and they said they had to send a card to the suppliers who would send the stuff to our home. I have not done this yet because they say the microscopic worms which eat the slugs, will remain active for up to 3 weeks. Also that the worms will keep for only 3 weeks in the fridge.

So my question is when should I ask for the nematodes to be delivered :?: . Cos I don't know when the spuds will be vunerable and under attack from the slugs.

Of course I can phone the suppliers and ask but I,d like some advice fro our own experts first please.

[ytyynycefn]

Well, fwiw, I used just nematodes and scissors to control slugs last season (my first), and had very few problems.  They were great.  You need to wait until the soil is a bit warmer (needs to be 5C at least) though, as the nematodes don't like the cold.  I had left mine in the fridge (and forgot about them) for a couple of months  :oops: and they still worked really well.  I only used one application, but plan to be a lot more thorough with it this year.

[Annie]

We`ve got a dew pond at the bottom of the garden but the neighbours(whos pond it is strictly speaking)put fish in!The dragon flies do OK but 0 tadpoles.We do have toads but they mostly live in the cellar despite our efforts to broaden their horizons!

[muntjac]

stop waffling n stomp the beggers  :twisted:  :twisted:
and i used to pull the wings offen daddy longlegs hehehhehe :evil:

[Annie]

It`s OK Shaun he`s talking about long legs...

[muntjac]

It`s OK Shaun he`s talking about long legs...

[slowcompost]

Hi Jimt
When to stop slugs on potatos.
Re slugs on potatos. i found if you get the potatos up early, before the tops go over, you can beat the slugs. Unfortunatly you dont then get the biggest potatos and they reckon they dont keep so well.
So i would think the time to treat for slugs is not too long before they are ready.

[Annie]

We get loads of slugs in our clay soil but they rarley touch the potatoes or other root veg until very late in the season.

[shaun]

just seen this
there you go again on about me legs right i'm off to bed now in a huff  

[Annie]

Now,now Shaun some people like short,hairy legs.(Muntjac,how do I do thet big laughing face thing?!)