The Slugs

A lot of people are asking about the crazy solar powered grasshoppers that paddy road tested last week.

They’re only $8.95 and can be ordered on-line from Amazon. The pictures and video are here.

Paddy's Garden

Paddy's Garden

This weekend we discovered that the two capsicums Paddy was growing have been eaten by something. It’s not rats this time because Paddy could see some snail and slug trails in the soil of one of the plans.

Slug and snail slime on a marigold

Slug and snail slime on a marigold

We usually use crushed up egg shells around an area to prevent slugs and snails getting loose amongst the seedlings, but it’s difficult when dealing with plants in pots.

Slugs and snails ate the capsicums

Slugs and snails ate the capsicums

Most of the slugs and snails seemed to have been outsmarted by the use of plastic bottles in the garden except for one plant where we think we have locked in a caterpillar.

A confused snail

A confused snail

We decided to scatter a few snail pellets around for good measure. Something like Ortho 0464060 Bug Getta Snail & Slug Killer – 2 lb. would do.

It says on the pack that the snail pellets are an attractant so they will attract snails from the immediate vicinity – did they ever…

Snails in pots

Snails in pots

We wanted a more organic solution to the snail and slug problem and we found it at a local $2 shop. There just a simple jar with a gap in th lid. You could probably make one using a plastic soft drink bottle and some imagination.

A snail and slug trap

A snail and slug trap

The snail and slug traps use beer as a bait so we’re provided a walk-through on how to assemble and deploy the traps.

Step 1) Pour yourself a beer

Setting up a snail and slug trap

Setting up a snail and slug trap

Step 2) Pour the rest of the beer into the trap (so it is about half full)

Setting up a snail and slug trap

Setting up a snail and slug trap

Step 3) Put the lid on the trap to keep out the rain (and pets)

Setting up a snail and slug trap

Setting up a snail and slug trap

Step 4) Put the trap in the garden

Setting up a snail and slug trap

Setting up a snail and slug trap

Pretty simple stuff but at least you get to have a beer with Paddy…

Paddys's beer

Paddy's beer

There are a wealth of other smart ideas for getting rid of slugs and snails in your garden. We designed a custom search below for you to use to search the web for other peoples ideas. You need to enter a search term to start the ball rolling and we had good results with snail and slug remedy

Posted in Pests | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

3 responses to “The Slugs”

  1. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Robert Durson. Robert Durson said: Paddy's Garden » Blog Archive » The Slugs: A snail and slug trap. The snail and slug traps use beer as a bait so w… http://bit.ly/a4sOCj […]

  2. Robyn says:

    Hello,

    I have a hobby gardening site and have nine natural ways to get rid of snails which may interest you. There are photos and simple instructions for each solution.

    http://www.sustainable-gardening-tips.com/garden-snails.html

    There are many different ideas around and some work better than others depending on your climate and the design of your garden to name just a couple. At this time of year you will need to have some clever ways to stop them.

    I really don’t like commercial baits as they can cause death and / or illness in other innocent pets, birds and animals.

    Please have a look and choose from the nine options and try to eliminate them sustainably.

    Kind regards
    Robyn
    (Gardener and Permaculturist)

  3. tabbycat says:

    look at the website http://www.slugbell.com excellent way to control slugs and snails.

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