How to stop slugs munching my strawberries WITHOUT using slug pellets

Munkee2

Anyone know of a way? Does putting straw under the strawbs help keep our slimy friends off them or does that just stop the fruit from getting muddy?

I don't want to use slug pellets in case one of my bunnies gets into the strawberry patch (it's fenced off but occasionally they find a way in) and eats them, but also, if a bird eats a slug poisoned with a slug pellet, they're going to be either ill or a gonner. I love birds too much to risk it.

Many thanks in advance!

freezspirit

My brother uses Slug Gone on his containers plus copper tape.

http://www.sluggone.com/

http://www.slugoff.co.uk/slug-barriers/

Another option is http://nemaslug.co.uk/

Munkee2

freezspirit wrote: »

My brother uses Slug Gone on his containers plus copper tape.

http://www.sluggone.com/ Looks like wood-based cat litter which breaks down in a similar way when wet.

http://www.slugoff.co.uk/slug-barriers/ Site doesn't load

Another option is http://nemaslug.co.uk/

Many thanks for the ideas. Copper tape might work well but at the moment, the strawbs are in the ground rather than in pots or planets.

Munkee2

I messed up that quoting in my reply, sorry!

TheGardener

Slug pellets are probably the most effective solution. If you don't want to use them then there is no single alternative, it will take a combination of other methods: slug beer traps, crushed egg shells and gravel, copper wire, evening patrols with a torch, pair of kitchen tongs and a bucket of salt water to drown the gits in; a pond with some frogs (but they seem to prefer snails) You can also leave upturned plant pots on the soil for the slugs to hide in during the day and collect and dispatch during the day...

Linda32

Can I say, I really don't think you need to worry about the birds. OH feeds the garden birds all year round. He knows which food they prefer :rotfl: mealworms apparently.

I sling slug pellets everywhere and quite honestly when a slug comes into contact with the pellets, well without going into too much detail there isn't anything left for anything to eat!

I love garden birds as well, and if I found one dead I would seriously think twice, but honestly never have done.

ampersand

Coffee grounds are doing the job very well here.

Posted a ? the other day about these Vilest of Viles and coffee grounds.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=huge+orange+slugs&client=firefox-b-ab&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiNt5mr-JbOAhXrD8AKHQMkA8YQsAQIWg&biw=1024&bih=581

Mine are ex Waitrose [free daily drink, remember:-) ] Other places are glad to hive them off.

Good luck.

forgotmyname

Small bowl/dish of ASDA home brand kitten biscuits. Attracts them like..... well im stumped.... for an answer but attract them it does. No idea why but if you ate slugs you would never go hungry ever again.

moneyistooshorttomention

Actually - I've found that it's woodlice that go for my strawberries here. I dont think the slugs are.

I manage to mitigate the problem by picking those strawberries that are down at ground level just before they ripen and finish ripening them on a windowsill indoors. They seem to like their strawberries at that "just ripened perfectly" point I find - hence why I try to get them a day or two before they reach perfection if they're low-lying ones.

Davesnave

Munkee2 wrote: »

I don't want to use slug pellets in case one of my bunnies gets into the strawberry patch (it's fenced off but occasionally they find a way in) and eats them, but also, if a bird eats a slug poisoned with a slug pellet, they're going to be either ill or a gonner. I love birds too much to risk it.

You will note that even the RSPB has not enough evidence to say what you're saying re birds and pellets.

They are trying to build evidence, of course, but after some years that seems not to be strong enough for any definitive statement.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/makeahomeforwildlife/advice/gardening/unwantedvisitors/chemical_free/slugs/further_information.aspx

As I'm often pointing out, a few pellets used properly in your garden will be as nothing compared with industrial amounts used in commercial farming. Unless you are prepared to pay the extra for organic produce (like there's any other kind??:p) then farmers will spread them anyway on your behalf.

There are also plenty of 'pet and bird friendly pellets' out there now . Naturally enough, their manufacturers are happy to give the impression that any other kinds are dangerous. I'd do that too if I was in their line of business.

Munkee2

Thanks everyone. I've decided to try and source some organic slug pellets. A trip to Wilko tomorrow should sort it!