Slug deterrants.?

Question

At the moment I use phosphorus pellets around my vegetabals to kill off slugs and snails on contact. The problem is I have to re-apply the stuff whenever there is rain, which is becoming an expensive way to protect my shoots! Can you give me a soloution (which is organic) to kill off/detter slugs and snails, weather proof, inexpensive and long lasting (meaning not having to go outside everyday to re-apply stuff around my crops). Any soloutions which fulfill all or some of my criteria will be welcomed. Thank you.

Answer 1

You've had some excellent suggestions so far and I'd like to add one more. There's a product called "Sluggo" which has become quite popular within the past 3 years here in California. It is comprised of organic materials and many commercial farmers and many within the organic industry are using it to control slugs and snails. I'm sure if you did a search online, you could find several sources within your area for the stuff.

Diatomaceous earth is very effective and the product can be purchased in swimming pool supply stores. The use of copper might be a bit costly if you're treating a large area but it is a very good deterrent if you can put a band around a tree. The "beer method" and eggshells are effective too.

Anyway... whatever its worth.... take a look at the "Sluggo".

By the way.... I'm NOT associated in any way with the makers of Sluggo!

Good Luck!

Answer 2

I asked a question like this a few day ago and someone told me about copper tape (self adhesive on a roll) . you put it around your plants and the slugs and snails get a mild shock when they try to crawl over it- so they can't cross it. You can get it in B&Q I've been using it for a week or so and it's great.
Beer is fine but the little buggers melt and die (bless) and I couldn't have faced it!

Answer 3

here is a fantastic way to control slugs. get hold of some sort of small container, i use the plastic cups from parties. dig these into the ground around the plants that are most affected by the slugs and fill a quater of the way up with larger. the slugs will be attractedd to the larger rather than your plants. they will fall in to get to the larger but they will be unable to get back out. it works with any larger from carling to tesco's 19p value.

happy hunting

Answer 4

Salt is your best bet at killing them on contact. Try using some rock salt, as it woould last a little longer than table salt. You may wanna consider mixing in some Perlite in your garden soil. I've been using it for years and I never have any snails in my beds. They seem to avoid it like the plague. Check out this article:

http://www.schundler.com/slugs.htm

Answer 5

Dig a pond, encourage frogs and toads to breed in it and the resulting amphibian population will eat the slugs. A couple of ducks or chickens would also remove your slugs as if by magic.

Answer 6

Just put up a plastic bottle with some beer in it. Slugs love it and get trapped in the bottle. There's a step by step in the provided URL.

Answer 7

Take your left over egg shells and put them in the microwave for 20 seconds then crush the and spread them around, The snails crawl over them and it cuts them so the go away.

Answer 8

I have never found one that works.
I have taken to burying open cans of beer round the garden, they are drawn to the smell, fall in and drown. Honest - try it.
Foul things they are.

Answer 9

salt put a ring round your plants will still need to re apply it after raining but it will be a lot cheeper

Answer 10

Diatomatous earth. It's very coarse and hurts them to crawl over. Plus, unlike salt, it won't hurt your plants.