Organic slug killer

I have been having a problem with slugs in my vegetable garden. Apparently, I didn't do something with the soil last fall and I have bazillions of baby slugs feasting on my lettuce, cabbage and beans. I found information on making slug traps by cutting "windows" into the upper parts of empty 8 oz. containers such as those that hold sour cream, placing the container in the ground, and partially filling it with beer. Then I'd place the lid on it to keep out the rain. Marvelous idea, I thought--until tonight when I came out into my garden and saw that a skunk had attacked the containers. Now I am quite familiar with the term "Drunk as a skunk".

Anyway, does anyone have any ideas as to an organic slug killer? Other than going out there every night with a flashlight and physically removing them. I was thinking of sprinkling salt on the "feasting tables" but then realized it would probably burn the plants.

Thank you.

Reply to
Beth Pierce
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Iron phosphate. It's good for plants, bad for slugs. I believe the product "Sluggo" has iron phosphate. Table salt is not good for most plants.

Reply to
Phisherman

In addition, you can pick them off in the evening or early morning. You can also put out containers of beer or sugar water with yeast to attract them. If the infestation is bad, you will reduce the population faster by taking all three approaches.

Reply to
Vox Humana

Thank you very much. I'll look into the iron phosphate.

Reply to
Beth Pierce

Also, a solution of 15% amonia and 85% water in a spray bottle kills them and doesn't hurt the plants.

Ginny

Reply to
Ginny Sher

Sluggo is the brand name . . . . it is basically ironite with a snail attractant . . . good for your garden, bad for the snails (dries them out when they injest the ironite) A bit more expensive than some snail baits, however it is safe around pets and kids!

Thanks for the story about the drunk skunk! Priceless.

p2

Reply to
P2

In spite of the problems slugs cause to our vegetables they actually do a good service. They turn plants into food for plants. I think they prefer old dead stuff. They also eat dog and/or coyote poop... The key is to put them were they will do the most good....take them to the local bush. My grand daughter was very excited to find one. The slug was moving ever so slowly with it's antennae fully extended. It was a sight to behold. Well, actually two sights 1. My grand daughter's enthusiasm and 2. The slug. It was an interesting experience. I now take 'my' slugs to 'higher ground'...the bush. :) Gary Fort Langley, BC Canada

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Reply to
gary davis

Oh, I forgot to mention this: I have heard that some slugs will eat 'some slugs'. I think it was the leopard slug that eats the little ones...the ones that do the damage. This could mean that if you are killing the 'wrong' slug then...oops! The bottom line being...we don't know enough about all this stuff. Gary Fort Langley, BC Canada

To reply please remove...yoursocks...

Reply to
gary davis

I've used beer with very good results.

I guess if you had neighborhood cats or dogs this would not work.

But...a little beer goes a long way with slugs. And you should see the slimy trails when slugs are intoxicated...very interesting to see indeed.

I just pour small amount into coffee can plastic lids (has to be low enough for slug to crawl over) and what does not evaporate must get inhaled by slugs...they seem not to know the difference between black label and Killian's. My friend wonders if slugs like "Mike's hard lemonade"...but I haven't cared enough to experiment.

"gary

Reply to
Tracy McDaniel

I don't understand why people insist that containers of beer have to be low. The slugs in my area can climb several feet up pants to get to the tasty parts. I put out containers of yeasted sugar water recently that were about

4 inches tall and they didn't have any problems climbing up the slick plastic cups to get at the solution.
Reply to
Vox Humana

"Vox Humana" wrote in news:W3ZEc.177248$ snipped-for-privacy@fe2.columbus.rr.com:

Alright, who's been putting Viagra in the slug bait? Fess up.

Reply to
Salty Thumb

Has any one here tried diatomacious earth? I have had very good luck with it over the years and it is inexpensive, and used sparingly, about as safe as any thing other than beer .... just don't do it on a windy day and don't breath it as it will irritate the lungs... it is also good for pets as it is bad for fleas. and about the ability of slugs to climb..before i found out about DE, the boogers had the trunk of 40 ft tree slimed from climbing it and i used tuna cans for beer and they had no problem; sometimes as many as 20 or 30 a night in one tuna can! . I think there is more informationon on the net for the DE, like a Google search. lee h

Reply to
Lee

I have had success with crushed up egg shells. I do this in the spring, just as the hostas are starting to emerge from their winter sleep. I wash the shells, then crush them in my hands and spread them in and around the hostas. This has just about eliminated sluggies from eating holes in the hosta leaves.

Another good thing is I don't have to do this every year, as the egg shells seem to take quite a while to break down.

Dee

Reply to
Dee

I was hoping to turn plants into food for me.

Reply to
ellis

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