I’m in the Kingston area and need a solution for killing slugs in the egg stage. Ed Lawrence gave such a thing using ammonia and water. Do you know when to do this as the leaf is still not out yet but next week maybe (it is April 24).
The Toronto Master Gardeners do not recommend chemical control for any pests. The Ontario ban on use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes included a ban on home remedies, like use of soap and diluted ammonia outdoors. Gary Westlake of the Peterborough and area Master Gardeners, in Gardeners Get an Earth Day Present from the Province clearly explains this.
It may be challenging to find slug eggs, but if you clean up your yard, get rid of organic matter and wood and any other items that could provide shelter for the slugs, you’re off to a good start. The eggs may be on the surface of the soil and are often covered by debris or leaves. Unfortunately, as you won’t be able to find ALL the slug eggs, you may have a number of adult slugs invade your garden.
The best way to get rid of slugs is to hand-pick them in the early evening, about 2 hours after sunset, as the critters are more active at night. Go out with your flashlight, and examine the bases of plants, backs of leaves and between the rows of your vegetable garden. You can use a spoon to loosen the slugs from the plant, then put them in a pail of soapy water. Other methods, e.g., trapping them and spreading diatomaceous earth in areas they like to hide (this acts as a barrier as the particles are scratchy), may also be effective. See the Government of Canada’s article, Slugs and snails. Another suggestion is luring the slugs to an area of your choosing, by putting upside-down orange or grapefruit rinds, or a flower pot, to attract the critters – they will crawl under them for shelter – -then BAM you can catch them. Check the “traps” each morning and if they yield results, replace with fresh rinds. After awhile, you’ll only have to check them once a week, as you will have gotten rid of a number of slugs.
There are also strategies you can use to make your garden less attractive to slugs. See also Global news. How to prevent slugs and snails from destroying your garden
- Choose plants that are resistant to slugs – e.g., see All About Slugs’ Slug and snail resistant plants. And ask your local nursery for plants that are less likely to be attacked by slugs. For example, while no hosta is slug-proof, there are some varieties that are more resilient to slugs (in particular the varieties with blue leaves that are thick and puckered).
- Water the garden less frequently and more deeply, and try not to water late in the day – morning is best (slugs are less active then)
- Slugs gather under mulch and other debris, and among weeds, so keep the garden area as tidy as possible.
And examine your plants often for signs of damage from slugs – look at the whole plant, from top to bottom, and both sides of leaves. If slugs have started to appear – take out your flashlight and go hunting!