[mumofstig]

Good point 

[Ema]

I've had to use slug pellets this year, they'd helped themselves to my board beans and peas!

[georget]

I dont know anyone who has used nematodes,has anyone on here had any experience with them,where can you get them.

[ptarmigan]

I used nematodes for vine weevils and slugs. But in an enclosed smallish back garden not on the allotment. They worked really well in the back garden.  You still get slugs but not as many. 

I'm not sure in the wide open spaces of an allotment they would work so well - it would be good to hear if anyone has any experience.  Also , as someone said up the thread (I think) it might upset the natural balance of predators on the plot.  I'm going to try putting in a small pond in to see if I can encourage a frog or toad...

[icbradley]

I use nematodes and one year had perfect potatoes without any damage.  With nematodes you are increasing the number of predators against slugs in your favour rather than eradicating all the slugs.  If you have healthy stress-free plants some will survive an attack and you will get a crop.  I also use the blue pellets of death and believe they attract slugs so this year have put them at the edges of the plot rather then amongst the plants.