Alternative to slug pellets

cherry76

Now they have been banned, what’s the alternative to use for slugs!

Woolsery

Slug pellets haven't been banned; the formulation has changed. According to "the experts" the new ferric pellets still kill slugs, but they go away underground to die, instead of sliming about on the surface before expiring.

Because no dead slugs are seen, some people think the new pellets don't work. I wouldn't know, having heard about the impending ban on metaldehyde long before it happened and not using many anyway. I believe potato farmers were somewhat upset, but who needs potatoes anyway when there are great alternatives like Walker's crisps and Smash?

Farway

Woolsery said:

Slug pellets haven't been banned; the formulation has changed. According to "the experts" the new ferric pellets still kill slugs, but they go away underground to die, instead of sliming about on the surface before expiring.

Because no dead slugs are seen, some people think the new pellets don't work. I wouldn't know, having heard about the impending ban on metaldehyde long before it happened and not using many anyway. I believe potato farmers were somewhat upset, but who needs potatoes anyway when there are great alternatives like Walker's crisps and Smash?

You forgot about frozen chips as alternative!

I find the new style pellets tend to go mouldy / furry but it's too ealry in the season for me to judge on the effectiveness even though last year my garden was slug paradise cafe, or so it seemed

cherry76

Thanks could not find any in the shops will be looking again.

Farway

cherry76 said:

Thanks could not find any in the shops will be looking again.

Maybe not yet on the shelves, too early? But for instance

https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/garden-outdoor/pest-control-weed-killers/pest-control-insecticides/slug-repellent/c/slug-repellent

twopenny

The sheeps wool pellets work around individual plants but are pricey
I collect sheeps wool and put it around vulnerable plants. That works.
For veg I use soot, it has to be the black stuff. Lots have their chimneys swept now. Full of nitrogen too. Some plants don't like it so you have to look it up. But thats free.
Horse hair, sharp grit. Depends what you've got in your area

25_Years_On

Last year I used Slugs Be Gone granules which provide a surface that slugs don't like crawling over. Before I put them down the slugs had started to chomp the dahlias. Afterwards no further chomping took place.

Katiehound

For my hostas (read snail salad!) which are in large pots I put liberal amounts of vaseline around the edge and that worked pretty well.
Recently I read to mix salt with the vaseline- double whammy! so I shall be trying that

Aelon

Copper as a barrier -  they dont like climbing over it. Mom ringed her Hosta plants with copper foil for this reason.

Salt. Everyone has it, they don't last long coming into contact with it.

FlyingDolphin

Table salt. Arranged like wagons.

grandadgolfer

Used coffee granules