3.Encourage predators Ground and rove beetles, centipedes, frogs and toads, slow-worms, hedgehogs and many species of birds all eat significant numbers of slugs. To encourage frogs and toads maintain a pond (without goldfish) and for slow-worms keep some long grass and avoid using a strimmer. The Hedgehog Method: Hedgehogs are predators of slugs so you need to attract them into the garden. At night time lay out dog food, which they love to eat - don't use bread or milk because it's bad for them.
Once we've got them into the garden we need to keep them, so provide them with a water-proof box, about 18 inches long and 12 inches deep, fill it with straw so it's nice and snug, make it waterproof and hide it by covering it with leaves. Then the hedgehog can live in there. You'll not only get rid of pests, but, if you have children, they'll be delighted. The Trench Method: To encourage ground and rover beetles.
Dig a trench about six inches deep and three inches across, and then line it with pebbles and Perspex edges. Beetles, which are a predator of slugs, will fall into the trench and can hide under the pebbles, which will protect them from birds. When the slug falls in, the beetle will have his dinner. Parasitic nematodes (Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita) are available from Defenders Limited (01233 813121). These must be applied to the soil in solution. Be sure to follow the pack instructions. Treatment should be done in a block and the soil temperature must be above 5 degrees C.
4.Barrier methods: Various materials or uncomfortable for slugs and snails to cross and a barrier provides some protection for vulnerable and valuable plants. Vermiculite Vermiculite, which is normally a compost addition, and this is an interesting product because as it swells up with water - and we all know slugs love water - it actually moves which the slugs dislike.
We've found vermiculite to be 90% effective as a control; we put it around the base of a plant in a ring. It's particularly good for plants that love water. Gravel The only gravel that works as a barrier is the crushed form because it has very sharp edges our favour is horticultural grit 4 -8 mm. Bark Bark has a downside that in wet weather it can help the slugs travel to your plants. However in a dry season using a coarse bark made from large pieces is difficult for the slugs to move through because it becomes very dry.
5.Hand picking and trapping: slugs can be collected at night with a torch. Traps can concentrate slugs to specific areas for picking. Traps made from glossy magazines, but old bits of carpet or old plastic plant trays make more effective slug traps. These provide a damp place to rest during the day and slugs can be removed in daylight. Such traps also provide refuge for ground beetles and centipedes that feed on slugs and their eggs.
Using suicide plants to bring the slugs out of the soil for collection before you plant or sow your crop can also help to reduce numbers and restrict damage. |
