Summer is finally here. I love the warmth. This coastal heat feels so good, and is usually accompanied by a small breeze. Just wish it lasted 11 more months. Finally sunshine will bring growth in the garden, yea! I have planted several times, several places, and each time the slugs seem to get it all.The slug population this year is out of bounds! I have used a natural slug bait called Sluggo, a natural cinnamon slug and snail spray from Grandpa's Feed, eggshells ground up, salting them, tossing them over the fence onto the road, and going out each evening and uh- well, stabbing them, which is very unpalatable, messy, and time consuming.
This time I am armed and ready- not with anything toxic, but still dangerous to slugs -diatomaceous earth, which someone mentioned slugs won't cross. I had some from when we tried to protect our dog from fleas naturally with it. (which turned out to be total mess-wear a mask!) So today I am putting it a jar with holes in the lid and sprinkling it around the garden areas.
I am adamant about not using chemicals on or near plants you are going to be having as food! If a chemical hurts a creature, such as slugs, insects, or weeds, it could also cause harm to you, a child, or an animal such as your cat or dog. Since we were created by God from the dust of the earth it is only common sense to live in harmony with nature. And doing things naturally is the only way when it comes to the food we eat. If we ever get any to eat. lol
It is now a year after I wrote the above about using the diatomaceous earth. It didn't seem to do much good, and watering and rain make it ineffective! I still want a garden so I heard of yet another method to get rid of slugs- setting out shallow pans of beer. I hadn't bought beer in over 35 years, but decided it was worth a try. The slugs are attracted to the beer so crawl in. And yep, it works.
Our slug population in our yard and garden is dramatically declining. Yay! I appreciate these slugs for what they were made by God to do- to clean up "stuff". They aren't very discerning since we see them on a pile of 'you know what' in the yard, and then also on our strawberries. Strange palate. Yuk.
Since using the beer bait for a month we already see good results. We're picking strawberries without holes in them! And the buds on the flowers actually get a chance to bloom. I never thought I'd be thankful for beer.
