The Use of Effective-Molluscicides
For Slugs and Snails
Using effective-molluscicides like diatomaceous earth will take care of snails and slugs in your garden
The methods needed to rid your garden of slugs
and snails are not the same as commonly known pesticides.
These animals, known as gastropods, not affected by the
chemicals made to control insects.
Insecticides just don't work!
What does work, are substances known as metaldehyde-bait. They
come in the forms of pastes or gels, or in granular form.
Metaldehyde products shouldn't be used around around edible
crops, but are great for ornamental plants.
The body of the slug is severely irritated when coming into
contact with metaldehyde. They usually die from loss of
water because they secrete so much mucous, and simply stop
moving.
This brings to mind another reason that slugs will avoid
certain materials that will dry them out literally to death.
These materials are chalk-like soft rock substances that
easily crumble into powder and are referred to as
diatomaceous-earth. This substance serves a number of
purposes, and one in particular is for absorbing liquids.
It is the kind of material that is used to make cat litter.
Now you can well imagine why a slug would avoid getting
anywhere near this.
To have good results with metaldehyde-bait, a number of
conditions should be in order first.
Since slugs don't move much when it is cool, use on a
warm evening, no rain, and the forecast for the next
day is very warm and dry. Spread the bait under the
leaves where slugs are attracted.
Keep away from pets.
Metaldehyde is hazardous to a dog. Iron-phosphates are not
hazardous to your pets though, and this is another form of
effective-molluscicides to try. The good news about this
substance, is that it is safe for your edible plantings.
Some people find that diluted household ammonia spray is
effective as well as another type of molluscicide. It has
a very limited range of effectiveness however, and must be
sprayed directly onto the slug.
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