Slugs

[JanieB]

I've had a new kitchen extension built and one of the criteria was the exclusion of slugs. I have no idea where they are coming in. As far as i can see all pipes have filling to prevent cold air, slugs, anything else coming in. They seem to be having a party in the new kitchen every night. I'm not willing to put down pellets because I have dogs.

 

[Flyfisher]

There was a report today on R4 that 2016 is expected to be a very good year for slugs, or a very bad year for gardeners. Something to do with the wet summer last year followed by a mild winter meaning that instead of hibernating they've been spending all their time reproducing.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36166774

Not particularly helpful I know. Sorry.

 

[plasticpigeon]

I believe that, my delphiniums can't get more than a couple of mm before being chewed off. I've resorted to pellets.

 

[angrybird]

Hi Janie
I have the same problem with slugs they drive me bonkers! Our old stone staircase has had a wooden staircase built over it and they still get in! The old blacksmiths attached to the house has silver trails everywhere in a morning! I leave salt aswell as beer traps and even resort to getting up in the night :twisted:
Please please don't use slug pellets even in the garden, use coffee grounds ,beer traps or sawdust around your plants .

There are now fewer than a million hedgehogs left in the UK.

 

[88v8]

There may be eggs in the kitchen.
If you know what I mean.
Once they have all hatched the problem will be at an end.

We have intermittent ingresses of ants.

Nature is a great thing.

Ivor

 

[DavidB]

JanieB

What about under the door - could they be squeezing under there?

My chickens love slugs and snails, but I dont! They carry lung worm which can kill dogs - so I think you should persevere and try and get rid of them. But it's difficult and poisons are indiscriminate so I'd avoid them.

 

[J-Nevil]

Slugs actually have an incredible sense of smell. They are extremely attracted to the smell of pet food.

Try leaving pet food outside overnight and I'm sure you will see a vast number of slugs enjoying themselves. If you're certain there are no cracks left for them to squeeze through perhaps leaving a small amount of pet food outside is the answer? If this doesn't work grab yourself a torch and follow the trails to establish exactly where they are getting in, then get covering up the gaps.

 

[angrybird]

Slugs love oranges and grapefruit.Cut a few in half and place around the kitchen floor.You will have to collect the slugs off the fruit as it doesn't kill them it just attracts them and then pour salt on them :twisted:
Works around the garden too x

 

[Zebra]

I take it you've simply asked the slugs where they're getting in?

 

[JanieB]

I've moved the dogs bowls to the other side of the room and that seems to have cured the problem. They weren't getting in the bowl but I think they were feeding on the kibble the dogs left on the floor. It is swept up everyday but they are "graze" fed so there is always some kibble around.

I still don't know where they are getting in and it's not the door which is a new, very well fitted one.

 

[angrybird]

I found this article on the net. I have tried "the recipe" in the garden and it works but I wouldn't want to try it indoors :!:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningequipment/8675592/The-war-on-slugs-starts-at-home.html