slug/caterpillar problems

**Pineberry** · 02-06-2013, 08:47 PM

Take a trowel and disturb the soil under the plant you very likely to see the offender - slugs.

I am experimenting with more organic ways dealing with them, and what seems to be working for me is sprinkling oats around the plant. This was mentioned before on this forum so I am trying it and so far so good. You have to top it up as they eat oats instead. But at 75pence per kilo I can afford that until the plants are more established and then hope for the best.

**Veggiefirsttimer** · 02-06-2013, 08:54 PM

The pigeons like mine, a little bit of net over them and the problem stopped so can't be slugs feasting on mine

**Tinabalerina** · 02-06-2013, 08:57 PM

Not sure if it works for caterpillars but definitely does for slugs and snails. I sprinkle sharp sand around the base of the plants so they cant slither (yuk) over it. I've also heard vaseline on the pots is good as they cant get a grip but i've never tried that one 😃.

My main adversary is birds, bloody little vandals they can be 😡 even caught them in the GH, on a shelf pecking at the soil. luckily i chased them off before they got down far enough to eat the lettuce seeds i had just planted. I've hung a beaded curtain over the GH doorway now so hopefully that will keep them out. They even STOLE the lining from a hanging basket so all the soil fell out 😤

**Two_Sheds** · 02-06-2013, 11:00 PM

Originally posted by Tinabalerina View Post

They even STOLE the lining from a hanging basket

Yes, that hessian liner is good material for nest-building. Why don't you provide them with something else, eg hair, feathers, wool

When I brush my hair, or the dog, I put the gubbins out for the birds to use

And I use black plastic liner for the baskets, not hessian

**b300y** · 03-06-2013, 08:16 PM

popped to B&Q tonightand bought some insect killer spray, it says spray it on evry now and then and it will work, so fingers crossed i will keep a check and keep you informed, also i sawvin a magazine last night that if you boil garlic then dilute with water and spray around the area (im guessing it will be safe on plants aswell) and the slugs hate it

**rustylady** · 03-06-2013, 08:39 PM

Oh dear - insect killer won't kill slugs or snails.

**kathyd** · 04-06-2013, 07:47 AM

I'm trying the garlic solution this year b330y - seems to be helping, although not 100% foolproof, but then nothing is is it? I'm also using organic slug pellets - ferramol based - which say they're not harmful to the environment or other creatures. I also plan to try making my own nematodes now the larger slugs are more in evidence - bung some slugs into an inch or two of water in a bucket, add some greenery and wait for the slugs to die before diluting to a weak tea colour and watering on. I think others on here already do this, so they might be able to give you more info.

**Tripmeup** · 04-06-2013, 11:19 AM

Originally posted by kathyd View Post

I'm trying the garlic solution this year b330y - seems to be helping, although not 100% foolproof, but then nothing is is it? I'm also using organic slug pellets - ferramol based - which say they're not harmful to the environment or other creatures. I also plan to try making my own nematodes now the larger slugs are more in evidence - bung some slugs into an inch or two of water in a bucket, add some greenery and wait for the slugs to die before diluting to a weak tea colour and watering on. I think others on here already do this, so they might be able to give you more info.

I have my first batch of the year brewing at the mo...Tried it last year with some success, but it was so wet last year, it was hard to manage the slugs, no matter what you used I think

**b300y** · 07-06-2013, 08:29 PM

Hi all,
used the insect spray and the bite marks seem to have gone down so maybe its the slugs after all,
is it me or does it seem daft that its only the top leaves? could this be birds? if so a scarecrow is in order :P

**rustylady** · 08-06-2013, 08:37 AM

Originally posted by b300y View Post

Hi all,
used the insect spray and the bite marks seem to have gone down so maybe its the slugs after all,
is it me or does it seem daft that its only the top leaves? could this be birds? if so a scarecrow is in order :P

What brand of insect killer did you buy?
Could well be birds - pigeons in particular love brassicas. A scarecrow won't do any good at all, you need to net your plants.

**kentishgal** · 08-06-2013, 03:47 PM

I tried the oat method today as I have run out of pellets and nematodes...
Now Im having to fight of hungry dogs and (surprisingly) cats as well as all the slimies!!
D'oh!

**dim** · 08-06-2013, 05:38 PM

for plants planted in the garden, I've tried all the recomended methods .... the only thing that works are the blue pellets, but you have to apply regulary

I've even tried nemaslug .... it's only for slugs and does not work on snails at all

vicks vapour rub smeared around the outside of pots works pretty well

and provado works fine for caterpillars

**Potstubsdustbins** · 08-06-2013, 09:08 PM

I am afraid you cannot just say Provado works fine. There are different products using this name some of which are not to be used on edibles and some of which are very harmful to bees.

Some thing we should all try to avoid.

Potty

**b300y** · 08-06-2013, 09:12 PM

Originally posted by rustylady View Post

What brand of insect killer did you buy?
Could well be birds - pigeons in particular love brassicas. A scarecrow won't do any good at all, you need to net your plants.

Would look good tho?

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