Things that Go Chomp in the Night
This is my third spring in Virginia, and you would think I would remember from year to year what problems are likely to be faced, but nooooooo………..
What’s top of mind, for me, are slugs. We had slugs in Ohio – of course, we did. But they seemed to isolate themselves to particular plants and were a major nuisance only when it rained hard.
Last spring, I had my first “what the” moment when I saw my marigolds all eaten. I didn’t know ANYTHING would eat marigolds! I’d certainly never seen them get eaten before.
So, off I went to Crow’s Nest in Blacksburg, to ask Jay what the heck eats marigolds. (It’s very important for all gardeners to have a good local nursery where they can get answers to questions. For me, living in Blacksburg, my good local nursery is Crow’s Nest Greenhouses. If they don’t know the answer, they do research instead of making something up. Wherever you live, find someplace local that’s a ready source of good, reliable info.)
Jay told me I had a slug problem. Yes, slugs eat marigolds. Luckily, they stuck to the marigolds and didn’t bother what was planted with the marigolds, and marigolds are easy to replace. After much discussion about the different types of organic slug control, I went home and got my slug problem taken care of. They chewed up more than my marigolds though, so you’d think I’d remember.
No. I went outside last week to find my bean plants chewed off, the melons half destroyed, holes in the chard and strawberries, and yes, the marigolds, eaten again. I’m hoping to remember to just plan for slugs next year and prepare for them when I plant.
So, an attack plan is now in place, more seeds have been planted and I probably need to go get more marigolds.
Oh good! Another excuse to hit the nursery!
(I’d post a picture of the slug damage but it’s raining outside and I’m not that dedicated! Look for one later this week when the rain finally stops. When that happens, I’ll be out searching for slugs again.)
May 14, 2012 - 12:50 PM
Hi Karen. What is your plan for organic slug control? The great folks at Pine Ridge Nursery in Salem recommended Sluggo but I’m going through bucketloads of it and was wondering if there’s something else to try. Thanks!
There are several types of organic control but Sluggo is the one that’s worked best for me. (Escar-go is another brand.) It only took 2 applicaitons last year to get rid of the problem. My first application was put done a few days ago and things were looking good up until today’s rain – no new damage anyway. So, I planned to keep a close eye and put down another application when I see most of the bait gone. I’m hoping twice will do it again this year. Pay attention to the application directions in regards to coverage and frequency when it rains.
For those unfamiliar with Sluggo, the active ingredient is iron phosphate. Ingestion by slugs, even in small amounts, causes the slugs to stop eating, which gives your plants immediate protection.The slugs then die in 3-6 days – usually after crawling somewhere else, so don’t expect to see a lot of dead slugs around your garden. The bait that’s not ingested degrades and becomes part of the soil; iron phosphate occurs naturally in soil.
You can also use diatomaceous earth. The sharp pieces shred their little bodies casuing them to dehydrate. Or you can put something out, like a board or overturned pot, allow them to collect underneath it at night, then dispose of the slugs in the morning. Yuck. For me, Sluggo has been the more effective, and easier, method.
One of the folks at the nursery pointed out to me that using beer to trap slugs has pros and cons. While you can trap slugs that way, the beer is actually attracting more slugs to your garden – not exactly what you want to do.
I have had something eating holes in my hosta leaves, makes me wonder if maybe slugs could be the problem.
My hubby put up a fence around my garden in hopes of deterring the deer at least. I’m not sure it will phase the rabbits, raccoons and groundhogs, but I’m hopeful LOL
Organic my foot. An A-bomb in the middle of the garden would be more like it. I can’t abide by something getting a free meal off my sweat and money. Iffen I can’t et it, I shore ain’t gonna allow any other critter to et it. Now post what really kills the varmits dead and dying as soon as you put it on. Or I’ll have to look it up and post it.
Lots of dogs and cats are poisoned every year by ingesting the non-organic stuff, so be careful about applying those types of snail baits if you have pets.
http://www.weekendgardener.net/how-to/snails-slugs.htm
Sevin dust works well also. As far as I’m concerned, there ain’t no organic. It’s warfare when varmits light in on what I plant.
KH, the link above notes the dangers to pets. Should have mentioned that. Don’t have pets, so it went over my head.
Another way to get rid of slugs is just to go out and squish them or pick them off and feed them to the chickens. Also salt might work and also diatomaceous earth. Thanks for mentioning about pets ingesting what is put out.
Yes, it is good to have someone near who can help with your pest problems. We use Seven Springs here in the county and of course my good friend Deep Roots.
Lovin the rain!
I just try to plant so much stuff the slugs can’t eat it all. I have tried diatomaceous earth with very little success. Right now, the big question for me is what to do for potato beetles. I’ve already found 3 hard shell beetles and eggs on the underside of a leaf. Last year I hand picked beetles daily and know the population’s exploding after the mild winter.
Timely post! This Saturday’s article will be on potatoes, and specifically preventing potato beetles. Be sure and check it out.
FYI, the archive for past articles is available on this blog at the right.
My last post was made at 8:39 am, not 12:39 pm as listed above. DCarol, don’t think I’ve suddenly turned into an insomniac.
I don’t believe that Sluggo is organic. It kills things and I have ready that it is detrimental to earthworms. It is also pain to constantly apply. I found a useful product called slug shield and they are great. I use them on veggies and flowers. Non-toxic and it lasts all season.
Good luck!
Sluggo is commonly listed as an organic slug control, as its active ingredient, iron phosphate, is found naturally in soil. The studies that I’ve read (one from Ohio State particularly comes to mind) found that there was no detrimental effect to earthworms, provided the recommended application rate was followed. The package insert does warn against overapplicaiton or piling up pellets versus sprinkling them, as ingestion of large amounts could be harmful to pets or others.
I’m not endorsing Sluggo. This is simply the product recommended to me that I have tried and found to be useful in treating slugs in my own garden. Given the studies that I’ve read, I’m comfortable with its use in my own garden.
Good stuff…I haven’t had a slug problem yet, and I intend to keep that going.
For potato beetles – we just go around and squish them – adults and eggs. Yes, I have already seen adults in the yard but not on the potatoes just yet. I’m stomping on every beetle I see.
We are growing “blue” potatoes for the first time this year. Has anyone ever grown them? We are still growing the whites and the reds. The Yukon Golds do not store very well for us.
The Man of the House tried something last year – he put potatoes in a 5 gallon bucket and sealed it shut and buried it in the side of a hill. The dirt fell down around it and now he can’t find the bucket. It does have a metal handle so we are going to have to get our son’s metal detector to find the potatoes. LOL!
Karen, glad to know that you are in the Blacksburg/NRV area – correct? I am sure folks who are in the Roanoke Valley are a week or two ahead of us in planting.
Doppler Carol: lol about the potatoes!
Yes, I’m in Blacksburg and have been reading with interest how far behind you all are to us. All the tomatoes and peppers are in here and doing fine!
This one from Ohio State talks about adverse affects on earthworms:
http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~soilecol/Full%20articles/2008/Crop%20Protection%2028.pdf
Didn’t read it again, but I believe the adverse effects are found when Sluggo is applied at 5x the recommended rate.
They made pretty broad findings. Here is a direct quote: “Clearly, molluscicides containing iron phosphate and EDTA or EDDS chelating agents may present significant environmental hazards to earthworms, domestic animals and humans and these issues need further investigation. The registration statuses of these chemicals in USA and Europe should be reviewed in light of these new data and conclusions.
I’m having a problem with some bugs on my zucchini plants. I’ve never seen these bugs before and can’t get a hit on Google. They look like little beetles with yellow and black striped backs, but they fly. They’ve already turned the leaves on one of my plants to lace.
I bought some organic insecticidal soap and have been spraying them with that, but I can’t tell yet whether it is helping. If anyone has experience with these bugs, I’d love some advice.
I think bugs are going to be terrible this year.
Wait, I think I just figured out that they are striped cucumber beetles. Curses!!!