Arrgh! Burrowing slugs!
With frequent rain, I expect a cloche to reduce the amount of rain falling directly onto the soil, though it will wick in from the sides and below.
My problem with slug bait is that I would have to apply it 5-7 days per week ... actually, any given application is washed out in 1-4 days, depending on how heavy or frequent the rain is. I try to get some out any time I see a prediction for two days with little rain.
If they can burrow right under the cloches, I will have to put a pinch of bait under each cloche. I wonder if there is a limit to thier burrowing ... I could screw the plastic bottles down several inches into the soil.
(An 8" plant with a half dozen big holes in it may survive, but a tiny seedling plus one slug equals a fatter slug plus zero seedling. That explained the seeming self-destruct sequence of delphinium seedling I put out. Slug-snacks)
My beer saucers are catching lots of slugs. I saved the bottoms that I cut off the bottles and use them for beer. But several people havetold me that beer ATTRACTS slugs.
I'm trying to think of creative ways to use "trap" crops like lettuce or Bok Choy. Beer saucers, sure. Maybe something to keep the rain off some areas, and iron phosphate slug bait where it won't wash away. And oatmeal
I've spoken to my cat about attacking slugs, but he just yawns at me.
Corey
