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Ewww! Slugs in the Garden!Read the article this discussion is about
This archived discussion is "read only". « Previous 1 2 3 Next » » Cottage_Garden - Don't you also now have a lot of birds and other critters, too? Don't you also now have a lot of birds and other critters, too? When we lived in suburbia and in town I used to hope they found our yard to be a safe haven; but I couldn't prove if the allure was due to non chemical use, mixed plantings, or what. Often wild animals respond to the lack of order resulting from a messy gardener -- the odd brush pile, untrimmed weeds by the alley, an overgrown shrub, tangles of vines, perennials left to go to seed..... just think of all the great hiding and nesting places, food and nectar sources, roosting and viewing spots compared to the usual manicured mowed trimmed and clipped yard. Barbara MartinThe Cottage Garden Editor -- posted by Cottage_Garden » CarolWallace - Tons of birds -- and new interesting kinds each year. Partly I c Tons of birds -- and new interesting kinds each year. Partly I credit it to different types of things I've planted. I have read a lot about creating a habitat for birds and other little critters, andttried to plant accordingly.And I think it pays off not just in enjoying the birds, but in the great job they've done controlling things like slugs and bagworms!And yes, I'm a messy gardener, too, with a lot of untamed area surrounding the garden. So they have all kinds of good hangouts! Carol virtually gardening -- posted by CarolWallace » Cottage_Garden - Have you added many native plants with that in mind specifically Have you added many native plants with that in mind specifically or have you worked more on the "edges schematic"?Barbara Martin -- posted by Cottage_Garden » theresaBIH - Its not so much that the ants eat the roots as they set up farmi Its not so much that the ants eat the roots as they set up farming. Everyone thinks its a paradise but its as tough if not tougher than anyplace else I have gardened, e.g. Japanese beetles, chinese rose beetles, some kind of six legged crunchy critter I haven't been able to identify which nibbles most every plant except the scented geraniums! kikuyu grass, lack of winter + no dormant season for plants or gardener!Serious mineral deficiencies in soil (calcium)etc.etc.-- posted by theresaBIH » CarolWallace - Well, both. I've added dogwoods, and other berried bushes. Learn Well, both. I've added dogwoods, and other berried bushes. Learned to leave the annuals so they can have the seeds. I do seem to be planting more natives. Or learning to identify and appreciate the natives that grow without my planting them. But now that we're mostly planting in the gazebo area, which is so close to the wooded part of the property, I'm also trying to work on the "edges." Carol virtually gardening-- posted by CarolWallace » theresaBIH - I have tried organic stuff like bioling water on the ants but it I have tried organic stuff like bioling water on the ants but its a bit drastic when you parboil the plant you are trying to save (I am not known for my grace & co-ordination)! The ants seem to gobble up Diazinon and ask for more, yummy. Also it smells so foul I don't like using it. The diatomaceous earth sort of works as long as you don't want to water, or have any rain, and most importantly as long as the cats are not in flowerbed napping mode, it could do terrible things to their eyes. Proof that organic isn't always safest. My best solution has been a product called Amdros which I sprinkle on the undisturbed ant trails, the little loves take it into the nest and they all croak. I cover it with a light mulch of dried grass clippings so that there is no chance of a bird thinking it is is dinner. I prefer the Amdros to other clone pruducts because it is yellow so I can see how much I have put down theresa beerman-- posted by theresaBIH » Cottage_Garden - Theresa that is so similar to how I decided to use the slug bait Theresa that is so similar to how I decided to use the slug bait that came in a squeeze bottle like Elmer's glue.First off, it worked. Second off, it was a compromise but for me an acceptable one. I could squeeze out a barrier line around a flower bed, cover it with a board raised up about an inch , and not worry so much about the neighboring cats eating it, birds stealing half dead slugs, or me kneeling or setting my hand down on it. THirdly, once the slugs were knocked down to an acceptable level, I could hand pick and rely on the natural predators to do the rest.I don't know if the ants have predators -- I do remember when we lived in the tropics the insects were phenomenal, I suppose because there was no "winter" to knock back the populations. You must face some incredible challenges! Barbara Martin -- posted by Cottage_Garden » MonaH - Here is an recipe for ants. 1 ts. sugar 1 ts creme of ta Here is an recipe for ants. 1 ts. sugar Put in front of the ants. They are suppose to take it to the nest and blow up. The ants swarmed all over it for two days. It was then we noticed, no ants. We had ants to other areas, but not there. -- posted by MonaH » theresaBIH - Hi Mona, I'm going to try that today. When I pulled out some of Hi Mona,I'm going to try that today. When I pulled out some of the wonderful new crop of weeds that followed the end of our drout I noticed loads of ants very near the surface, I guess they were drowning too! Thank you. -- posted by theresaBIH » Cottage_Garden - Hi Theresa! Let us know how it works on yours! Barbara Mar Hi Theresa! Let us know how it works on yours!Barbara Martin -- posted by Cottage_Garden « Previous 1 2 3 Next » Please follow the guidelines set forth in the Suite101 Posting Etiquette when adding to the discussion. |
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