Flippin Slugs!

[SmileySue]

So have come home from work to find one of my lettuces nicely chomped around the bottom and a nice slimey trail across the pot...I have looked for the little blighter but cannot find it...do I need to do anything to protect the rest? I have lifted the pot and put it on a low wall. I am not keen on using pellets and the like.

On the plus side, my tomatoes are looking much perkier today

[Primrose]

I don't like using slug pellets either Sue and I decided to grow salad lettuce leaves mixed with rocket. Last year I grew the seeds in a seed tray and kept it covered with a propagator lid. It seemed to work - watered as usual and kept cutting the leaves.
Doing it again this year and so far so good
However I have sown a pot of Little Gems, repotted the plants and have them under a lid too - see what happens!

[Moyra]

Oh I know how you feel Sue. I found coffee grounds kept them away but of course if its wet you have to renew regularly. I have staked mine round and then put fine netting pegged right down all round so the little blighters cannot get in. Makes it a problem when you have to unpeg the netting when you want to harvest but I too do not like using pellets because of the birds eating the snails and slugs. Netting also keeps the birds out too!

[green fingers]

I saw someone on gardeners world (I think) He grows Hostas and said he sometimes uses his hair clippings around a plant. The slugs get stuck in it and can't get out.

I am going to try my dogs fur next time he is clipped. We have to clip him often as he doesn't molt so we get a lot of fur.

[SmileySue]

I was given a tip to use home made garlic spray - it seems to be working ok so far, no further damage since I started using it. I haven't used it on the plants whose leaves I will be eating though!

Do you think it would be ok to use on my tomato plants? They are in the greenhouse, and god knows how but the slugs and snails have now taken up residence in there as opposed to the plants outside that I have sprayed!

I am just dubious as to whether it will a) hurt the plants, or b) make my tomatoes garlic flavoured!!

Thanks

[riversidegc]

Originally Posted by green fingers

I saw someone on gardeners world (I think) He grows Hostas and said he sometimes uses his hair clippings around a plant. The slugs get stuck in it and can't get out.

I am going to try my dogs fur next time he is clipped. We have to clip him often as he doesn't molt so we get a lot of fur.

what a birill idea!...plus if you have dark hair like me it wont look unsightly in the soil!

[marmite]

Looks like a lot of bald dogs will be walking around. Regards Marmite Looking for the clippers

[Percy Grower]

Have you tried using vermiculite in a ring around the bottom of the plant (vermiculite is the plant growth help you can mix in with compost), i'm going to give that a whirl.
Has anyone managed to lure a hedgehog into their garden?!

PG

[marmite]

I got a concrete one. .Best wishes Marmite. (Why did the hedgehog cross the road........To see his flat mate).

[Lesley Jay]

I have just discovered a new form of slug pellet that is perfectly harmless to wildlife, pets, kids - the lot. They are called Slug Buggers (great name!) and are available from Bubble House Worms.

Slug Buggers - £9.95 : Bubble House Worms, Promoting Global Worming

[AprilPrimrose]

I've used these too... they are brilliant... and when they breakdown add phosperous to the soil...
I still dont like using them tho so we're getting chickens... feed them the slugs!