Well you wont end up with nematodes... Just a rather smelly mess! Oh and I NEVER listen to GQT!

Hi Mg - Good to see the Old Dependables are still around! It's mentioned in a couple of places on Good 'Ol Google as well; an old allotment practice, it seems. Apparently any nematode 'infection' feeds off the corpses (!) and increases over the period. Apparently, the 'right sort' (public school?) of nems carry an anti-slug virus so, as they multiply, so does the virus. I've used the commercial version - quite effective but quite expensive. I'm not really an organic gardener - *I* like to think I'm 'realistic' - but I'd rather not just throw chemicals at things if I can do it a different way. I've got a batch of tomato-leaf spray maturing for next year's aphids which is (allegedly) quite effective, esp for blackfly.

I vote you try what they suggested and let us all know if it works - between that, your tomato leaf spray for aphids and the milk treatment for mildew, we'll all be saving lots of dosh!

Hi Bamboo - vote accepted! Most 'Old Wives Tales' have a basis in fact *somewhere*, even if it's not quite where it appears to be. Milk treatment for mildew?? Missed that one

I listened to it as well...Mmm. Some one has to try it out. Garlic spray was last years.. So let's deal with the snails then....

Ah, well the milk treatment has been scientifically tested and it works, so not an urban myth or old wives tale - 1 part milk to nine parts water mixed in a sprayer, treats mildew. Some argument about whether it has to be full fat - I think semi skimmed is fine, I will test out skimmed next year when I get a chance.

any idea *how* it treats it?

Ditto the garlic spray that has been tried and tested, oh and Bulba and I fanatically organic in veggie growing. However, no matter what GQT said I see no reason why drowning a load of slugs is going to produce nematodes that will kill slugs - I wish it were true. Let us all know how you get on Pete, but you need to do a proper field trial.

Low Fat Gardening ..Bamboo the new Green Godess ?

I slapped Myself then Bamboo.

Ha ha, what for, your spelling mistake (goddess...) I dunno, Katarina thinks I'm Merlin, you think I'm a goddess, green or otherwise, I'm doing quite well here...

MG, what's the garlic spray good for?

Wow! you're Double D...

tsk tsk, pimpernel...

Wot ?

Keeps aphids, butterfies and the like off plants - they hate the smell and as it is a systemic though we can't smell it after a few seconds the beasties can - hence planting garlic in rows between carrots.

I was being all coy then.

The theory works in principle, an infected slug kept in damp wet conditions with other slugs would increase the population of nematodes inside the bottle. You would need an infected slug first for it to work of course You siphon off the water every couple of weeks to spray over garden increasing the nematode population in your garden and thus slugs.

I think we are getting too late in the year to try that - the nematodes will need warmish water to multiply and slugs will hide underground as the frosts start in earnest.

The garlic spray does work, just that you need to spray it after every time it rains.

I mentioned some time back an organic spray for aphids using an infusion (VERY smelly) of rhubarb leaves. It seemed to work quite well for me on light infestations. Has anyone else tried this one? I've NEVER come across the nematode/rotting slug one before - sounds horrid!

Hi Kildermore as the garlic spray is a systemic you shouldn't need to spray every time it rains... once a week or fortnight is plenty. Yes an infusion of rhubarb leaves should work Gattina. Infusions of nettle, comfrey and horsetail will strengthen the plant and help it to resist pests and diseases.

I have used Garlic spray,for a few years now,and find it very effective against Aphids..it doesn't appear to be detrimental after rain..so agree with MG ...

Good to know someone else uses Bloomer - do you make your own?

Back to slugs.

I do not use pellets as I have a couple of resident toads which seem to keep the slug population under controle.

I did get some beer traps off ebay as added protection, after 2 weeks they have only accounted for 1 small snail.

You can buy "green" slug pellets which the manufacturer promises are harmless to wildlife and pets, but I haven't tried them yet. Ducks work well!

If you can put up with the mess Gattina :-)

Absolutely right, MG! They are filthy!

I haven't made my own yet,MG,but intend to this year..I already had a ready made one,which lasted ages,but it is now empty..a little goes a long way..:o)..must look for the 'recipe' on here somewhere !..and save it..

I used to have Indian Runners, They make a mess but that's not so bad. They disappeared one day when I was at school..Never got a convincing answer from Mum. I will mention them again when I see her next week, see if she is ready to confess.

Oh Indian Runners are the most beautiful ducks! They are supposed to be very intelligent, too. As ducks go. (probably quite tasty, too)

Gulp! I hand reared them under a mop head Gattina...

There is a man near us with Indian Runners and he uses them instead of sheep for sheepdog demos at shows.
Nothing to do with slugs, sorry, but I thought you might be interested!

Honestly, Pimpernel, you make it up as you go along!

It's true...I had a goat that wouldn't sleep unless you played T-REX to it before closing the door. There is a story about my many pet mice as well, that I cant put on here because it is a very grim tale.

Back to slugs..