Slug damage appears as irregular holes and a tattered looking plant.
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Spring rains, overcast days and plants putting on their best new growth is a beacon for snails and slugs to gather round and eat. Their slimy trails are proof they are on the prowl. Young shoots of spring bulbs, primroses and other early risers are most susceptible. Venture forth on those dreary rainy days and evenings – if you are so bold - armed with a flashlight and pluck them up one by one. Encourage them to congregate by placing boards, pieces of raw potato, wet newspaper or cardboard in the garden to make eradication easier. Use latex and rubber gloves to pick them up and drop them into a container of salty water as you go. As tempting as it may be, don’t drop salt while they are on the ground or dining on a hosta. Not only does it injure plants, it contaminates the soil.
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Slime trails mean that slugs are on the prowl.
Slug Baits
If plucking slimy mollusks off your plants is not your cup of tea, consider using slug saloons loaded with slug bait. They protect the bait dry so you don’t have to reapply it after watering and after a rainfall. Slug saloons also protects pets, birds and other animals from ingesting toxic baits. Apparently they are attracted to it too. There are some baits that are not toxic, such as the Safer’s Slug and Snail Bait, but I still place the pellets in slug saloons as they are protected from rain and any animals that get to them before the slugs do. Besides, I really don’t want anything eating them other than slugs and snails. Another common non-toxic bait alternative is beer. I don’t use it as it become a disgusting mouldy mess – and it’s a waste of beer.
You can buy slug saloons, but I like to make my own using clean, empty margarine containers. Near the top of the container, cut windows in the sides. They should be large enough for the slugs and snails to slime their way through. Add about ½ inch of the slug bait and attach the lid. Bury the container so the bottom of the ‘windows’ are in line with the soil surface so the slugs can crawl in, eat the bait and die. Put a rock on top to act as camouflage and to keep it in place.
You can buy slug saloons, but I like to make my own using clean, empty margarine containers. Near the top of the container, cut windows in the sides. They should be large enough for the slugs and snails to slime their way through. Add about ½ inch of the slug bait and attach the lid. Bury the container so the bottom of the ‘windows’ are in line with the soil surface so the slugs can crawl in, eat the bait and die. Put a rock on top to act as camouflage and to keep it in place.
Safer's non-toxic slug bait and a slug saloon.
Protect bait from animals and water by making your own slug saloons.
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Windows cut into the sides or a plastic tub, lures the mollusks to their demise.
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Barriers
Strips of copper and copper mesh repel slugs and snails by giving them a wee electrical jolt. I like the mesh as it is easy to cut with scissors. The mesh comes as a tube so you can open it up and place it around small plants.
Other worthy, non-toxic barriers are crushed hazelnut shells, eggshells and diatomaceous earth. Just place a plentiful amount around susceptible plants, somewhat like a moat around a castle. Crushed eggshells are effective for a limited time and as an added benefit, they provide calcium to the soil. Diatomaceous earth is often sold as a flea repellant and is available at home hardware and garden stores. It is made from fossilized skeletons of single cell aquatic organisms called diatoms. Like eggshells, it’s sharp and slices any mollusks that dare to cross it. Alas it does not hold up to rain and must be reapplied, but all of these barriers are totally non-toxic and safe to use.
Other worthy, non-toxic barriers are crushed hazelnut shells, eggshells and diatomaceous earth. Just place a plentiful amount around susceptible plants, somewhat like a moat around a castle. Crushed eggshells are effective for a limited time and as an added benefit, they provide calcium to the soil. Diatomaceous earth is often sold as a flea repellant and is available at home hardware and garden stores. It is made from fossilized skeletons of single cell aquatic organisms called diatoms. Like eggshells, it’s sharp and slices any mollusks that dare to cross it. Alas it does not hold up to rain and must be reapplied, but all of these barriers are totally non-toxic and safe to use.
Copper mesh is sold in a tube that can be cut to size.
Professional Mollusk Assassins
If you wish to introduce professional slug and snail slayers to your garden, consider ducks, toads, frogs and birds (robins, owls, thrushes, jays and crows). Encourage ground beetles and centipedes by leaving a nice layer of leaf litter on the ground. They love fresh escargot.
Slugs & snails have their role in nature. They eat plant debris turning it into compost. And, they are food for many animals - yummy!
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Despite the damage mollusks do in the garden, they are an integral part of the food chain and provide protein to many animals and insects. Speaking of which, plants in gardens beds that are left bare and have no leaf litter or other mulch, are especially vulnerable to mollusk attack. Slugs and snails devour leaves and other plant debris, whether it’s dead or alive. They are also responsible for breaking down dead organic matter, thereby releasing nutrients to enrich the soil. There are an integral part of the soil food web. If there is no mulch for them to eat, their only food source are plants, so a 3 inch layer of an organic mulch is a good idea.
Escargot anyone? |