Sloshed Slugs
10 Sep 2009 13 Comments
in Vegetable/ Herb Garden Tags: healthy soil, organic pesticide, planter gardening, slugs and snail removal, soil preparation
I have read a few organic gardening articles about various methods for getting rid of snails and slugs in the yard and put one to the test last night. Could it really be true that allowing them to enjoy a night time swim in a pool of beer can do the trick? This week I’m getting my raised planters ready for fall crops and I wanted to cleanse the soil of any hiding slugs before planting seeds. After sinking a few shallow dishes in the planter and adjusting the rim of the dish so that it was just even with the soils surface, I then filled them up with some cheap beer (shall I say the name?). The next morning I discovered over 30 slugs were captured. What a great way to get those slimy slugs out of the soil and it sure beats getting up early in the morning and hand picking them out. I love a succesful experiment- try it- it works!
- Slugs Doing The Backstroke In Budweiser
Thank you for visiting my blog! www.nadiaknows.com
“i know i want to keep creating, growing and having fun.”
Sep 10, 2009 @ 20:47:38
Oh but hitting them with salt is sooooo much more satisfying.
“I’m meltingggg”
Sep 10, 2009 @ 23:05:53
Agreed! Thank you for sharing Nadia.
In Oregon I have been using this technique for several years. I use the cut-off bottoms of plastic yogurt containers on the fringes of shady hideouts around the beds i intend to protect. I believe that when the slugs come out of their cool day-time spots at night they can be distracted to the comforting aroma of, yes, Pabst in tiny plastic bins – but unfortunately (for them) become mortally enthralled; this has proven to be fortunate for my echinacea however. The resulting “solution” is great for the compost pile and the rest of the cycle. (By the way i occasionally prime my compost piles with cheap beer alone).
bgs
Sep 11, 2009 @ 00:03:31
I just wanted to add by pointing out that many of the slug “prevention” alternatives are attractive but deadly and apparently excruciatingly painful to pets. This is to say, at least, dogs and cats.
Sep 11, 2009 @ 05:33:48
good idea with the plastic containers… i used my nice kitchen dishes and now i am going to leave them in the garden!
Sep 11, 2009 @ 03:47:16
Thanks for the tip. I don’t like spending the money on expensive commercial products. I’m definitely trying this
Sep 11, 2009 @ 19:10:07
Bravo Nadia-great blog!!! I look forward to more great ideas from you.
Sep 11, 2009 @ 19:34:27
Nadia, great tip, I’ve heard it before but completely forgot about it. Since I’ve got Ty sniffing and rummaging through my plants, this is a safe alternative to pesticides and I will certainly use it!
Thanks for posting it! ;o) Keep up the great work, I’m enjoying your blog!
Sep 12, 2009 @ 05:31:53
Thanks! It is a great creative outlet for me… I am interested to see where it goes! Are you much into gardening?
Sep 11, 2009 @ 22:59:11
Great excuse for doubling my beer supply! I have a pair of “beer pubs” I purchased a few years ago that will be seeing some action again soon.
Love the blog, by the way.
Sep 12, 2009 @ 15:07:00
so happy to help!
Sep 14, 2009 @ 17:54:41
I believe this is how women began calling men slugs and the idea came about. After the men gathered in the garden drinking beer the women would find them face down calling them “slugs” in return giving them the idea as a slug control method. Great Blog!!!!!!
Oct 02, 2009 @ 10:15:15
Nobu likes this one! He has problems with slugs in his yard!
thanks for the tip:)
Oct 02, 2009 @ 15:38:31
Glad you liked it!