I might give the coffee thing a try. slugs are having a field day here in the northwest this spring, due to out record setting warm winter- and coffe grounds are about the ONLY thing we haven't tried. some of our hostas are being dismantled as I type. oh, did I use the term, dismantled? I meant SHREDDED! nothing seems to really be holding them back. how thick of a layer do you have to put down? a light dusting or an inch thick caking? whatever it takes i'll do it!