How to beat a slug…. {Gardening Chronicles 2012

Or at least try…
Cause anyone who has ever fought the long, hard “slug in the garden” battle will tell ya these creatures are HUNGERY little critters!
I can remember when I first moved to Va and stepped on my first slug while barefoot.

Seems to be a right of passage in the south.  These slugs aren’t like any slugs I had ever found in Ohio…
They are ginormous!  Did I mention they are hungry too?
Cause if I didn’t I really would be remiss if I didn’t mention just how much these slimey, stickey creatures eat.
I simply refuse to share my garden with them.

There are a few ways to deal with slugs I have found.
First off you have to hunt them at night.  Now the kids think this is a hoot!  Actually I don’t mind it to much myself.
I love messing in my garden at night…really get the neighbors a talking…
“WTH is she doing out there now?!?”
You find them and then there are options…

• Drop them in a bucket of  soapy water…death
• Sprinkle some salt on them….instant death!  Actually crazy death.
  Daryl taught me this one and I didn’t believe him till he “proved it”.
• Drop them in a jar and transport them down to the field the next day….this would be my preferred option because even though they are yucky little creatures I feel guilty killing them.  I figure God put everything on this earth for a reason…yes I know…completely   silly.

OR my latest option that I am doing this year….
Eggshells

See the “theory” is that you crush up the eggshells

and surround the plant with them…

Supposedly the snail will not cross over the eggshells….I guess it would be a bit of an “ouch” for a slug.

Will it work?  Maybe.  If it doesn’t…the eggshells are awesome for gardens!

• This should work for not only slugs but cutworms as well.
• Eggshells will give your plants much needed calcium.