What are the best chemical free ways to keep slugs and snails away from my vegitable patches?

[CuckooCreatures]

I've tried a couple of things but i seem to live in slug central, there are thousands of the pesky things, all coming out to munch on my vegetables before i get a chance.

Looking for none chemical based ideas, want to be as organic as possible.

[mrs_overall]

Beer traps.

I sink jars/tubs into the gound so the top is level with the top of the soil. Fill with a couple of inches of beer, and the greedy beggars will fall in and have a happy death. The bonus is that you get to drink the rest!

Plan B is that you go out at night with a torch and pick them up by hand.

[Vagrant]

Encourage hedgehogs into the garden: http://www.wildlifetr...rg.uk/facts/hedge.htm

[society]

Pick them up or get someone else to do that for you.

[Hawkwalk]

use a product called Nemasys which are natural nematodes that eat the slugs

[johnk]

I had the same problem but have managed to get it under control. I use beer traps but don't sink them in as the ground beatles also fall in and you want them to eat other insects. I also use upturned bowls ( the terracotta coloured plastic plant pot trays are the favourite or half orange or grapefruit skins. Check them in the morning and pick up all sheltering slugs using an old spoon and throw them in the bin, also check undeer the beer traps, Go out at night with a torch and check your beer traps as a lot of slugs will pinch a drink without going for a swim. Night is the time to catch most slugs. Keep the area tidy with little for them to hide under, keep adjoining paths clear so they don't have cover to wander into your veg. They aren't supposed to like crossing copper (must be shiny!) although I have seen this happen. They also dislike crushed egg and sea shells. Sounds a lot but I only spend 5 minutes in the morning and again at night and it's made a massive difference, Best of luck

[Nosha123]

nematodes...

little tiny microscopic critters that kill slugs.. no harm done to you nor mother nature (other than the slugs!)

last for about 6 weeks in soil

[Brinjal]

Coarse salt. makes them shrivel up and die. otherwise a big pair of boots and go stomping

[webbo3]

try using these, we sell them where i work not only do they stop slugs and snails but they are decorative as well.

http://www.gardenoasi...ells-bulk-p-2183.html


Dave.

[modeller]

I found the product SLUGIT . You mix a little of it in a gallon of water and just water it anywhere you have a problem . I found over 100 dead ones the morning after I used it.

[modeller]

Sorry you said chemical free. There isn't one ! I've tried them all .

[jamesnan]

We have cut empty plastic bottles so that there is a zigzag along the top edge, and stuck copper tape around the bottle about 1" down.. Place this over your vegetable whilst it is small,pushing it into the soil, and it does stop the slugs and snail from getting onto it and eating it. We have had great success using these on our allotments.