I went on a slug hunt last night and thought I would try the tip I read on here to drop them into salty water. But they just swam up and slimed out of it and up the sides!

I kept poking them back in but they kept coming - like something out of a miniature horror movie - Night of the Living Slug... . In the end, once I'd been all round the garden, I took the container into the kitchen and salted them as they popped their heads above water. But even then, there were big ones still swimming up from the bottom through the salty water and surfacing... Die, slugs, die, oh why won't you just die?

And there was one big snail in there as well, floundering around, which was the last to give in, because it was too clever to put its soft bits above the waterline - I poured a big dollop of salt on its shell and it sank. Shudder.

Tonight I took a pot of beer instead, they didn't try climbing out of that, and it seems like a much less horrible way to go!

I do a slug hunt every night, but I take a knife as well as a torch, so no salt needed. It is strange, though, that first thing in the morning there is no trace of the halved carcases and even the snails that I have stood on have almost entirely disappeared, apart from the odd bit of shell.

that photo is foul!!! I hate them and dont let them drown in salty water when they are caught, i stamp them and cut them in half!! They like my beer traps the yeastier the better!!!

Anyway I am now off on the hunt, i will be back later with a count!!

SS

That's like something out of a horror movie Demeter. What a shame yo have so many slugs. I must be very lucky - I hardly see one.

LMAO @ Demeter

Oh my goodness!! Its not funny really but i were half crying with laughter as i read your post.

Poor you!!! *wipes eye's*

Wren

I can't cut them in half! I'd rather pick them up with my bare hands. I've tried cutting them and it's (1) harder than it sounds and (2) really horrible!

I haven't had many problems with slugs at home (at the farm allotment, different story) until yesterday when the blighters ate my broccoli, tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, brussels sprouts, mangetout and carrots!! I've killed well over 50 since then, and a few snails too...

Originally Posted by Tam

I do a slug hunt every night, but I take a knife as well as a torch, so no salt needed. It is strange, though, that first thing in the morning there is no trace of the halved carcases and even the snails that I have stood on have almost entirely disappeared, apart from the odd bit of shell.

it's the early bird that catches half a dead slug?

Yes, and they can swim in bleach water too!!! Madness. Beer all the way if you collect then in a bucket.

I mainly have snails and I just bash them with a small spade.