Nearly lost a blue hosta last year. Slugs reduced it to a skeleton early on - It stayed this way all season, much to my embarrassment. Will try a different approach this year.
Recent warmer damp conditions are ideal for slugs - many have already hatched from overwintered eggs. These pests need controlling before they also start laying eggs (upto 300).
Slugs are usually more of a problem BENEATH GROUND - where they cannot be seen and are safe from frost - than they are above it (although they also cause problems with pots and containers; tending to shelter beneath them). Delphiniums and Hostas are particulary susceptible. I find liquid slug killer is the only way to deal with these. The problem is, which one?
Metaldehyde liquid
Aluminium Sulphate liquid
Yes, I know metaldeyde is poisonous, but we are talking about underground slugs ('Garden Slugs' and 'Keel Slugs'). The problem is that metaldeyde works by dessication (it affects the mucous glands thus causing slugs to dry up), and with the soil being wet, they might survive and become resistant. I have already given them a treatment of this in February when the soil was drier.
Decided to use Aluminium Sulphate. Showers forecast for week, on BBC. Will use pellets at recommended rate, since heavy rain could dilute a liquid too much. [No, I didn't: Weather suddenly changed, so used liquid after all, not pellets, at 50 grams per 4 litres (2oz per gallon)]
Will be coming back to slug treatment very soon. Meanwhile, here are a couple of articles you might find interesting:
Dr. Bill Symondson, Cardiff School of Biosciences: SLUG CONTROL
Earthasy.com: Natural Slug Control
If you are planting seeds outside, look out for new organic slug pellets based on Ferric Phosphate. This looks good for surface use. Not sure if it can be applied as liquid.
And have a look for slugs under your pots!
No comments:
Post a Comment