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Slugs and ants are eating all my flowers!!!!!

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  • 02-06-2012 8:53am
    #1
    2rkehij30qtza5
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,476 ✭✭✭


    I've put those pellets down in my pots as per instructions on containers but the slugs and snails don't seem deterred.
    I also have two ant nests in two pots and the plants in those pots don't seem to be thriving at all.
    Is there any natural solution I can now use to get my pots back to their former slug-free/ant-less glory?! Thanks!


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    #2
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,858 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    Cecelia Flat Dune wrote: »
    I've put those pellets down in my pots as per instructions on containers but the slugs and snails don't seem deterred.
    I also have two ant nests in two pots and the plants in those pots don't seem to be thriving at all.
    Is there any natural solution I can now use to get my pots back to their former slug-free/ant-less glory?! Thanks!


    Wrap some "copper tape" around your pots,and you wont have any problems.

    Slugs hate copper tape and wont pass over it,;):)


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    #3
    2rkehij30qtza5
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,476 ✭✭✭2rkehij30qtza5


    paddy147 wrote: »
    Slugs hate copper tape and wont pass over it,;):)

    Thank you very much! Off to b&q to get some now.


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    #4
    magmay
    Registered Users Posts: 80 ✭✭magmay


    Thank you Paddy147, thats brilliant. I went out this morning & a family or 2 of slugs had a party in a few of the pots with new plants...not impressed.


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    #5
    arandale
    Registered Users Posts: 119 ✭✭arandale


    As well as the copper tape try using vaseline on ceramic ( shiny ) pots. The slugs hate the vaseline as they keep sliding.

    Also, to try and trap the ants put a small flower pot filled with hay turned upside down on a stick and put the stick end in the pot with the plants in, check them in the morning and get rid.

    Make sure you go out tonight when its dusk, with a flash light and pick off the slugs, you will get loads, they will wait until late to come out and don't throw them over the wall or they will be back in the morning.


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    #6
    delta36
    Registered Users Posts: 921 ✭✭✭delta36


    My mother has had good success at getting rid of slugs by filling something like the saucer from a plant pot with some beer, and leaving it in or near her flower beds. The slugs seem to love it, they usually climb in and drown, though if you live near a university you may find some students in it as well :pac:.
    Hope this helps.


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    #7
    byhookorbycrook
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 12,498 Mod ✭✭✭✭byhookorbycrook


    Nematodes will deal with the snails. Slugs will go for the beer trap, maybe a local pub would let you have slops?


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    #8
    Thunderbird2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,250 ✭✭✭Thunderbird2


    I was told copper is a no no as its poisonous to wildlife when it corrodes? Is this true?


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    #9
    arandale
    Registered Users Posts: 119 ✭✭arandale


    Ha Ha Delta thats good.


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    #10
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,858 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    Thunderbird2 wrote: »
    I was told copper is a no no as its poisonous to wildlife when it corrodes? Is this true?


    The copper tape above is perfectly safe to the enviroment.:)


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    #11
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,858 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    Copper tape does work,as several tests and horticultural research has shown.

    Today at Bloom.Copper tape on the pot to the left of the picture.:)



    DSCF0744.jpg


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    #12
    Thunderbird2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,250 ✭✭✭Thunderbird2


    So the copper was the best defence? Any pellets that are pet and chicken safe?
    Ive herd of a solution called nemaslug


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    #13
    muckyhands
    Registered Users Posts: 407 ✭✭muckyhands


    Thunderbird2 wrote: »
    So the copper was the best defence? Any pellets that are pet and chicken safe?
    Ive herd of a solution called nemaslug

    Nemaslug is a 'biological control' considered safe/ organic..... uses microscopic creatures that 'take out' the slugs, naturally.

    I always have and always will swear by copper tape. Never has let me down thus far. :)


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    #14
    Thunderbird2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,250 ✭✭✭Thunderbird2


    But it would be difficult to use the copper tape method on a flower bed ?? Id rather try reduce them since they carry hookworm


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    #15
    muckyhands
    Registered Users Posts: 407 ✭✭muckyhands


    Thunderbird2 wrote: »
    But it would be difficult to use the copper tape method on a flower bed ?? Id rather try reduce them since they carry hookworm

    I guess it depends on the flowerbed. If it has a raised edge around it, just use the copper tape all around it.

    It could be that only certain plants in your beds are most affected- I cut the bottom off pots, wrap the tape around the tops of the pots, then sink them into the ground around plants I want to protect.

    Works a treat. :)

    Sometimes prevention is better than cure.


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    #16
    Builderfromhell
    Registered Users Posts: 1,569 ✭✭✭Builderfromhell


    Have raised beds and slugs have enjoyed a good feed over last week eating several lettuces clean away.
    Wonder if copper wire around raised beds would work. I have old electric wire that I could take plastic off and fix to top of bed edges.


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