Siege of the Grobags

[avevale_intelligencer]

Today I have evicted no less than six assorted slugs and snails from the grobags in which we are tentatively attempting to grow some vegetables. Last time we tried this was several years ago, and we eventually gave up. This year I am determined to pull at least some of them through, and without using slug pellets if possible (because they all say DO NOT USE IF YOU HAVE PETS, and of course we do). The Countess says oatmeal kills slugs, but I've been unsuccessful so far in finding any--porridge is not the same thing.

Anyway, apart from that, I am alive and (for certain values thereof) well, and planning to stay that way if at all possible. I hope this finds you all similarly inclined, and that DFDF has been a good time for all concerned. Plus, new Mershane book, yay. Spread the word.

Comments

[were-gopher.livejournal.com]

We've used this stuff with no distress to Mungopuss.

http://www.monrobrands.com/growingsuccess/products.php?category=slug_control

[occams_pyramid]

Standard trick is a beer trap - slugs are attracted to beer and drown. There's probably ready made beer traps (sans beer) in the local pound shop, but some kind of jar should work.

And of course it doesn't need to be good or fresh beer.

Wikipedia points to http://www.gardening-guru.co.uk/2010/04/11/slugs-traps-death-by-beer/

[aunty_marion]

My sister and her then-fiancé once did a taste-testing of all the lagers they could buy in the local off-licences, while staying at Mum & Dad's. They both agreed that the organic lager was disgusting, so left the remains of it with Mum to use in her beer slug-traps.

The slugs said it was disgusting too. At least, they refused to drink it.

[thnidu.livejournal.com]

That's what we used in our garden in Mass. The cheapest beer we could buy. Shallow dishes with straight sides so they could climb up and take a dive -- I don't know if that was necessary, but it worked. Put 'em out at evening; in the morning, empty remaining beer and dead slugs into the garbage.

Glad to hear that you are at least relatively well.

[eoforyth.livejournal.com]

I found copper to work - they don't like crossing it.

That is, until John 'helpfully' took the 'rubbish' out of the pots

[dickgloucester.livejournal.com]

Only six?

As far as I know, cats don't touch slug pellets, but if you can find a better way of dealing with the little bastards, then obviously you won't want to go down the poisons route.

I've been told that slugs and snails don't like wood ash.

[soren-nyrond.livejournal.com]

We had/have some pellets of a nonppoisonous variety, if that would help (although we have never tested them, due to the Angel using copper tape instead.

Hope all is well with the New Car (3 posts ago ?).