Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Alis girls]

They are everywhere even if its not rained. The other day I nearly stepped on one about 8inches long and stripey (too snake like for comfort). obviously a nationwide problem as Radio 2 had people phoning and emailing in about the things yesterday evening. I have removed them several times from seedlings - an hour later another appears. Have sprinkled slug pellets and adv on no account must anyone feed to the girls.

[Olly]

Haven't noticed a particular problem where I am, but have you tried nematodes?

 

I use slug pellets very, very sparingly in the greenhouse (the hens are not allowed in there).

The best solution really is to go round the garden after dark with a torch and a bucket of salty water ...

[Alis girls]

My son poured salt on one to see what happened - gross.

[Olly]

Maybe you could get your son to dispose of them - pay a bounty of 1p per slug or snail?

[Alis girls]

Might think about it. The accidental crunching underfoot is bad enough but I have nearly come a cropper skidding on a fat slug.

[chickencam]

Apparently it is as a result of the warm wet winter

 

I use slug pellets on my seedlings in pots which are out of hen reach and in the greenhouse. If I need to use any in the rest of the garden I cover the area with an upturned wire hanging basket. It is largely snails with us, masses of them

[redbug]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2637973/Bran-flakes-beer-ANYTHING-stop-slugs-Suddenly-slimy-blighters-How-fight-back.html

[Beantree]

They used to put chimney soot onto gardens to control slugs before pellets were available. The soil in our garden was black and your hands got the same colour working in it. But we didn't have slugs, so it must work.

[Alis girls]

Thanks folks - I read the article - I dont fancy the stench of decaying drunk snails and slugs plus the beer. I dont put pellets where the girls can get at them. Interesting about the soot, sadly I dont know anyone with a sweepable chimney. Sign of times gone by.

[Alex_LJZ]

I heard that you could use crushed up egg shells to keep slugs out as they don't like crossing them.........................................................

 

Rubish!!

 

I have just been out to lock up the chooks and in their run I have a metal trug I put peelings and treats in. This afternoon I filled it with about a dozen crushed egg shells and oyster grit. Right in the centre is a mushroom and half a carrot, covered with six giant slugs. They were covered in egg shell and happily tucking into the veg.

[chickencam]

 

Intrepid molluscs