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• Reputation: 675 Q&A: 19 1 4 195 0 0 Classifieds: 0 0 what's this? Expert: 1 topic Gardening Follow Following 2 Master Gardener Andrea

  2 0 Here are two approaches-- Manual:  Getting rid of slugs and snails is a daily chore in my garden.  Each evening I begin my search. I pick off slugs and dispose of them in a bag; what you do with them is up to you!  Slugs and snails hide under planters, rocks, undersides of plants--anywhere that is cool and damp--and then come out in early evening and stay out all night.  And, just when you think you couldn't possibly find another slug. . . well, there's one just around the corner (or plant). Environmentally friendly baits:  In addition to the manual control of slugs, there are several fairly new baits on the market that are said to be effective:  Sluggo, WorryFree, and EscarGo.  These are registered for use in the vegetable garden and can safely be used around edible plants.   Local garden personality Ciscoe Morris has talked about the importance of not using most slug baits since they are dangerous to our pets, wildlife, and children if ingested.  Ciscoe has recommended these newer baits. He also recommends moistening the new baits in dry weather to attract the slugs.   Year 'round Battle:  Finally, don't forget to keep up with your slug control, whether manual or with bait, well into the autumn.  Slugs can reproduce like crazy.  As Ciscoe stated in Ask Cisco (2007):  Adult slugs often die if the winter is cold.  That doesn't really matter. . . Slugs are hermaphroditic, which means that each slug is both male and female.  . .both can become pregnant and can lay up to a 100 eggs each.)  Apply one of the safer slug baits in autumn. . .otherwise, those hundreds of eggs will overwinter and hatch. . ." I hope this is useful, meanwhile happy hunting!:-)    Master Gardener Andrea answered in Pest Control/Weeds 10 months ago | Report 2 comments by Lose-Lose and Master Gardener Andrea… 1 0 Andrea- what's your take on the beer trap mentioned above? I've heard mixed reviews of it, and have had mixed experiences myself. Your thoughts? Lose-Lose commented 10 months ago | Report 0 0 I've also heard mixed reviews of the beer can method; although, some gardeners swear by it. (I think I'd rather drink the beer than share it with slugs.) WSU does mention it as an alternative for slug control (see: http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb0968/eb0968.html.) For some smaller gardens, it might be a good choice. I tried it years ago when I first heard about it, but decided it was more trouble to put together the traps (make sure the tuna cans are completely clean or you'll also attract cats), place them in just the right spot, monitor the levels of beer, etc. I also didn't trap nearly as many slugs as I did by going after them in the evening. Btw, I had a neighbor kid who loved to help "hunt" slugs. The fun part of gardening is how we can all try lots of different methods of controlling pests, and cultivating our gardens--big or small. Happy gardening! -Andrea Master Gardener Andrea commented 10 months ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  2 0 Get some tuna or cat food cans, and a bottle of decent beer (no preservatives other than hops--our slugs seem to be drawn more to dark beer than light). Dig holes around your kale plot just deep enough for the cans to sit level to the ground. Fill the cans with beer, empty the bodies and replenish the beer as necessary. Griffin answered in Pest Control/Weeds 10 months ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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