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put out my first slug trap last night, used a tray which had housed a tesco chicken, (about an inch deep) and used tesco value bitter in it.
Forgot about it this morning, but went back to it about 5 today, and it was devoid of slugs.
Does this mean I don't have any? Or does it just mean my slugs are not alcoholics?

Also my childrens classroom assistant has told them that by putting out beer traps for the slugs, we are poisoning all the song thrushes, as they eat the intoxicated slugs, and die. I have never heard of this before, and it has upset me a bit, although I have never had any song thrushes, and this is my first slug trap.
She also told them last year that by putting potato peelings in the compost bin we were poisoning the worms which I think is also a load of tosh, has anyone heard this one either?

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http://clairescraftandgarden.blogspot.com/

i think she's talking out of her bum

theres a few other slug threads about at the mo, that give you beer ideas, one is in over the fence, and another in vegging out

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sometimes i do talk complete and utter rubbish ...... just ignore me if i do ........i'll go away eventually

http://teachy.myminicity.com/

I tend to agree. That teacher has half the information and is making the rest up as she goes along. Teachers should NOT do that!

Slug pellets might poison the bird which eat slugs and snails (if they eat the poisoned ones, which I suspect most won't), beer won't do any harm (apart from perhaps a drunk birdie forgetting to fly away from the cat, but I think that is unlikely too). As for potato peelings harming worms, what planet is she on?

I think your beer trap was way too shallow, and they just climbed out again. Usual pot is something like a yogurt pot.

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~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi

i bought a slug catcher - it is a plastic dish with 5 holes and a lid. you fill up the holes with beer and put the lid on. the smell of beer intensifies and the snails crawl in the sides but can't get out again. it works...lots crawl in, only problem is i can't stand picking up the container with all the drowned dead slugs in so have only used it once!!

I agree with TwoSheds, I think they just went in, had a great party and crawled out again! Some commercially available slugs traps are fairly shallow, but they have a system of compartments and a lid to trap the fumes so it's difficult for the slugs to find their way out again. Have another go with something deeper.

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Dwell simply ~ love richly