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the_dollmaker

results of my slug control tests

22 years ago

I tried 3 things this summer against slugs. I used copper flashing in some beds; in other beds where it was sunny enough I planted garlic; and I tried Sluggo on advice from someone here in this group. I did not try handpicking because I'm not doing anything to discourage skunks and I am afraid I might run into one at night. I didn't use poisons or sharp things because my cats like to lounge under the hostas. By far the best control this year was the Sluggo. It's not scientific, but I just thought I would pass the results along! And it did not seem to irritate any of my cats' eyes.

Comments (6)

  • 21 years ago

    I've never used Sluggo on account of my cats. Now I will consider it, except that I read that slugs die slowly after eating that stuff. Silly me, I hate slugs, but I don't really want them to suffer for several days. I have used copper, coffee grounds and wood ashes. The wood ashes is what seems to have worked best for me. Of course, not around my azaleas/rhodo shrubs. There I used coffee grounds with reasonable results.
    Thanks for your report, 'The_Dollmaker'!
    Anne-Marie

  • 21 years ago

    I did not know about slow death. Hmmm, I wonder if they feel pain? SIlly huh, but I think about those things too. Really I don't even care about my hostas that much, but I have been trying to hang on to at least 2/3 of the foliage on my sweet taters til harvest time.

  • 21 years ago

    I have been using seaweed off the beach to create a barrier that surrounds the gardens with it. Works for me and then later I compost it into the garden as mulch and get fresh seaweed as need be.

  • 21 years ago

    Susan, wish I had frash seaweed available! Could kelp be substituted?

    I thought I might have confused Sluggo with another slug product, so I went to check. Here is a description:
    Sluggo is attractive to slugs and snails, luring them from their hiding places and plants. Ingestion, even in small amounts, will cause them to cease feeding. This physiological effect of the bait gives immediate protection to the plants, even though the slugs and snails may remain in the area. After eating the bait, the slugs and snails cease feeding, become less mobile and ,begin to die within three to six days. Dead slugs and snails may not be visible as they often crawl away to secluded places to die. Plant protection will be observed in the decrease in plant damage.
    I feel the same way, 'Dollmaker'. As much as I hate slugs, I don't want to inflict un-necessary pain. I simply want to keep them away from my garden!
    Anne-Marie

  • 18 years ago

    From what I know ... which isn't much... I have heard that putting charcoal ash and burnt wood around azaleas is a good thing. Very high pH when dissolved...correct me if I am wrong and sorry for being off topic!

  • 18 years ago

    Azaleas like acidic soil, therefore wood ash which raise the pH of the soil is not a good thing

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