Slugs just mowed my carrots down to the nub somewhere in the rain during the past few days. Five juveniles caused some malicious mischief in my carrot pot. What I did notice in respect to the slugs in that pot in my staging area of the patio, is that they only gnoshed on the contents of the shorter containers. Carrots and thyme (Thymus vulgaris). Neither the carrots or thyme was an easy germination, but both were thriving once they started. It isn't crop failure, yet. A single green top survived and the pots are presently re-seeded. Disappointing at best as I'd hoped the containers would slow them down, even just a little. Since none were evident in the larger containers, I'll take that as a good sign to get the small ones up in the morning and spot check the larger containers just to be sure.
In the meantime, what to do to eradicate?
Organic Sluggo (iron phosphate, not the metaldehyde version) is the obvious and probably most effective choice, but even though its claimed to be mostly organic, Sluggo can result in iron poisoning for pets and children.
Eggshells, are they fact or fiction? There seems to be some variable thoughts on the topic. Do they cut the slugs to bits or do they just not like crossing the coarse shell bits? How fine does the shell need to be crushed--have seen dust to large pieces mentioned, but nothing definitive.
Coffee grounds are said to avert slugs for two reasons: they don't like caffeine and do not like to cross uncomfortable surfaces, much like the eggshell option. I've just seen these slugs wander into my pot staging patio which is roughly pebbled cement with obviously no issue. Sans the caffeine, gritty sand and wood ashes are also said to be effective or the same reasons.
Diatomaceous earth. Another non-crossable barrier for plants as the edges are quite sharp.
Citrus halves - simply tuck into your garden, collect the slugs drawn to the citrus, and put them back. Slugs must be collected and disposed of. Your choice how to accomplish the disposal.
Beer makes for a great drunk. Drowning drunk slugs. They crawl in to the shallow dish or side tipped bottle and don't crawl out (or not too far if they do not drown first).
Nut shells are another slug barrier that they just aren't comfortable crossing. Toss around your plants, checking daily to make sure the barrier has not had a path bumped through it.
Copper is supposed to incite a neurological shock upon the slug crossing the narrow strip and they turn back from whence they came. Copper is pretty pricey these days, so not the most economical for a large (or even a small) garden.
Salt and foam. Simply salt the hungry buggahs and watch them foam away to nothing. Quite messy and you risk the excess salt harming your plants and your soil in the garden. Great for driveways in theory, but not directly near vegetation.
Grab and Smash! Really. Just pick up, and cut in half or smash accordingly.
Living options: ducks, chickens (sometimes), and garter snakes. When I go from wanting to remove small and slimy to larger and seems like slimy--the snake, who is not slimy, but is stereotyped to be slimy). I'd probably opt for ducks, had I the option to do so right now. Hungry, hungry ducks!
What do you do with all the slugs and bodies? Disposal options - salt the living in a container and dispose of properly. Take them for a one way ride out to the woods and set them free (they will be back!). Tag and release! Kidding! Maybe!
Back to serious, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly as slugs do carry parasites.
Alas, I'm fairly certain we need to draw in as many as possible to dispose of primarily to lessen the local population of the yard. I think once the pots are in their permanent spots, we should decide on what we are going to sprinkle the area with. For maintenance, perhaps just a shared beer in a bowl weekly to keep the population down.
What has worked best for you in ridding the slug population in and near your garden?
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