Toadmother, I haven't noticed that using the wood constructed beds has attracted more slugs, but definitely the boards you use for walking on will. For those who don't like to use chemicals, one of the best ways to "catch" a bunch of slugs is to lay out newspaper or loose boards in the evening and toss the newspaper or scrape the slugs off the boards in the morning. They love the dark moist environment. I have laid small gravel between my beds to walk on.

please bear with me! what would be the difference between the boards used to construct a raised bed and those i walk on? i always plan on setting up a beer trap, but never get to it in order to do so safely/pet proofed.

thanks!

Toadmother-- I think she meant, the wood for the beds will be standing on end so there's no reason slugs would be attracted to it. On the other hand, wood you walk on lies flat, and the sluggies like to hang out UNDER large flat things. Thus, the wood you walk on will attract slugs, not because it's wood, but because it's lying flat.

My favorite slug/snail/bug/insect deterrent is cheap, ground coffee. (With caffeine, fresh from the can, and *not* brewed). A very strong dose to the body will kill 'em, but a trace of caffeine will cause the sapsnarfing little monsters to flee in terror.

Using my hand for an applicator (*so* high tech and pricey--not!), I sprinkle a *light dusting* of coffee all over the veggies and ground (soil and path), except for the areas of plants that are visited by pollinating insects. (Caffeine is toxic to them, too.)

Be sure to sprinkle the soil and paths because slugs live in underground, multilevel condos that are horrible to behold. (Beneficial nematodes make *great* inroads on the eggs down there, by the way.)

I fondly recall the day I watched a cabbage moth dancing over every cabbage-family plant in my 4 x 20 brassica bed, unable to find a single place where she could land and lay her eggs. Eventually, she was forced to flutter away, her tiny antennae drooping in sorrowful disappointment. (All together now, "Aw-w-w-w-w-w-w-w." Hee, hee.)

Coffee grounds are very safe with pets and children, and have a lovely, bracing aroma! Best of all, I don't have to empty stinking beer traps.

ahha! thank you greening. i wondered as much, but i also know that wood holds moisture. obviously lying flat would hold more moisture. did you hear my loud "duh" from here?

jacque- thanks for the tips, and i share your sentiments!