Garden Elves Share Secrets
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Garden Elves Share Secrets
Maxecat Wed Jun 12, 2013 5:24 pm
There just aren't enough hours in the day or ideas to share when it comes to gardening,as far as I'm concerned.
Sometimes you have to resolve to using the heavy duty chemicals to get the job done but when there's an easier,safer,cheaper way...I'm in!
For fending off snails and slugs:
Sending slugs to an inebriated death is a long used remedy and there are many ways to accomplish this with and without beer.
Unhappy hour:
1 can beer
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp baker's yeast
mix up brew,let sit 24 hours,pour into shallow aluminum tins,pie shells etc.sunk into garden so the rim is at ground level.Not sure if slugs can smile but they'll probably not miss the hangover.
Slugweiser:
1 lb brown sugar
1/2 package (1 1/2 tsp) dry yeast
Pour dry mix into gallon jug. Fill with wamr water. Let sit 48 hours. Pour into shallow pan traps.
for non beer loving slugs.
Slug Spray:
1 1/2 cup ammonia
1 tbsp. Murphy's Oil Soap
1 1/2 cup water
Mix in spray bottle. Overspray any area where you see slug activity.
Barrier:
Spread a 2 inch wide band of wood ashes around any plants affected by slugs. Reapply after rain.
Diatomaceous earth can be spread over entire area. The crushed shell particles will cut up slugs. Reapply after rain,as water will wash it into mulch.
Along the same lines, spread crushed egg shells,stone bits,sand or gravel around garden. Snails and slugs need moist surfaces to move and can't manufacture enough mucus(yuck) to get across dusty,sharp areas.
For milk slugs that attack lettuce,spread pieces of burlap around lettuce plants and dampen with water. In morning there should be a lot of slugs on the fabric. Wash it out in hot soapy water and repeat. 5 days or so should reduce the population.
Slug/Snail trap:
Make an inexpensive slug and snail trap from an empty two liter pop bottle. Cut off top third of bottle and stick it back into the bottle,neck first.
Secure the edges with duct tape or staples and drop in some slug bait or beer to attract them, As they can't escape,their carcasses with invite more of the nasty things to their death.When full,toss and recycle the next bottle.
Slug Sleeping Bag:
Leave a moist garbage bag in the garden for snails and slugs to crawl into overnight. In the morning tie off the bag and put it in the freezer for a few hours to kill them without a mess.
Caffeine Overdose
Left over cold coffee can be toss out into the garden. It kills young slugs,scares off older ones. Caffeine attacks central nervous system of many insects but especially slugs and snails because its water soluble and seeps in through their slimy,disgusting,mucus producing membranes.
Dish water:
Not just for insulting blondes anymore. Old dishwater can be used in a watering can and spread over plants. Most soft bodied insects find it either toxic or unpleasant.
Not so dirty dish water:
1 -2 tbsp. dish soap (not detergent)
quart water
spritz on...adding soap helps any solution stick to leaves
Death to slugs
Sometimes you have to resolve to using the heavy duty chemicals to get the job done but when there's an easier,safer,cheaper way...I'm in!
For fending off snails and slugs:
Sending slugs to an inebriated death is a long used remedy and there are many ways to accomplish this with and without beer.
Unhappy hour:
1 can beer
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp baker's yeast
mix up brew,let sit 24 hours,pour into shallow aluminum tins,pie shells etc.sunk into garden so the rim is at ground level.Not sure if slugs can smile but they'll probably not miss the hangover.
Slugweiser:
1 lb brown sugar
1/2 package (1 1/2 tsp) dry yeast
Pour dry mix into gallon jug. Fill with wamr water. Let sit 48 hours. Pour into shallow pan traps.
for non beer loving slugs.
Slug Spray:
1 1/2 cup ammonia
1 tbsp. Murphy's Oil Soap
1 1/2 cup water
Mix in spray bottle. Overspray any area where you see slug activity.
Barrier:
Spread a 2 inch wide band of wood ashes around any plants affected by slugs. Reapply after rain.
Diatomaceous earth can be spread over entire area. The crushed shell particles will cut up slugs. Reapply after rain,as water will wash it into mulch.
Along the same lines, spread crushed egg shells,stone bits,sand or gravel around garden. Snails and slugs need moist surfaces to move and can't manufacture enough mucus(yuck) to get across dusty,sharp areas.
For milk slugs that attack lettuce,spread pieces of burlap around lettuce plants and dampen with water. In morning there should be a lot of slugs on the fabric. Wash it out in hot soapy water and repeat. 5 days or so should reduce the population.
Slug/Snail trap:
Make an inexpensive slug and snail trap from an empty two liter pop bottle. Cut off top third of bottle and stick it back into the bottle,neck first.
Secure the edges with duct tape or staples and drop in some slug bait or beer to attract them, As they can't escape,their carcasses with invite more of the nasty things to their death.When full,toss and recycle the next bottle.
Slug Sleeping Bag:
Leave a moist garbage bag in the garden for snails and slugs to crawl into overnight. In the morning tie off the bag and put it in the freezer for a few hours to kill them without a mess.
Caffeine Overdose
Left over cold coffee can be toss out into the garden. It kills young slugs,scares off older ones. Caffeine attacks central nervous system of many insects but especially slugs and snails because its water soluble and seeps in through their slimy,disgusting,mucus producing membranes.
Dish water:
Not just for insulting blondes anymore. Old dishwater can be used in a watering can and spread over plants. Most soft bodied insects find it either toxic or unpleasant.
Not so dirty dish water:
1 -2 tbsp. dish soap (not detergent)
quart water
spritz on...adding soap helps any solution stick to leaves
Death to slugs
Maxecat- Moderator
Re: Garden Elves Share Secrets
missypotter Wed Jun 12, 2013 5:39 pm
I had no idea there were so many ways to kill slugs. 
So many ways, will have to find the ones that work with the ground almost always wet.
Thanks Maxecat.
So many ways, will have to find the ones that work with the ground almost always wet.Thanks Maxecat.
missypotter- Elite Member
Re: Garden Elves Share Secrets
Maxecat Wed Jun 12, 2013 5:44 pm
We may not like them but skunks are mighty useful in killing off the slug population.
Not sure the smell trade off is worth it...but....it's a thought.
Not sure the smell trade off is worth it...but....it's a thought.
Maxecat- Moderator
Re: Garden Elves Share Secrets
samtibbs123 Wed Jun 12, 2013 8:15 pm
What fun think I will try the pop bottle trap and my favorite way to kill them even if it is a bit gruesome is to put them in a can with salt in it they literally foam to death, nice to know my egg shell and coffee mulch is also useful, my plant seem to like it as well! I will certainly keep checking back on this and the cleaning site, personally I buy both vinegars by the gallon making sure the gallon of cider is real cider vinegar and not just flavored, it is a family favorite for a lot of things!
too bad the skunks in my neighborhood don't eat slugs and snails I would even deal with the smell if it meant the other was totally gone, but with a pond close by they are so frog stuffed they don't have to go looking for slimy food as well, sigh!
too bad the skunks in my neighborhood don't eat slugs and snails I would even deal with the smell if it meant the other was totally gone, but with a pond close by they are so frog stuffed they don't have to go looking for slimy food as well, sigh!
samtibbs123- Elite Member
Re: Garden Elves Share Secrets
Maxecat Wed Jun 12, 2013 8:44 pm
Hmm we've a lot of frogs here,too. Maybe that's why our skunks are so fat.
One of the things I love about using household stuff in the garden is the way it helps save space in the garbage can.
I think I've mentioned before how I save newspapers for weed control. I understand they're also good for cleaning windows (though I'm fearful of smudging ink)
Also,I save dryer lint throughout the winter to use as a barrier in the garden. Saved a bunch for the science teacher for her outdoor science lab (i.e. the kids' garden)
Who knew dryer lint would ever be appreciated?
One of the things I love about using household stuff in the garden is the way it helps save space in the garbage can.
I think I've mentioned before how I save newspapers for weed control. I understand they're also good for cleaning windows (though I'm fearful of smudging ink)
Also,I save dryer lint throughout the winter to use as a barrier in the garden. Saved a bunch for the science teacher for her outdoor science lab (i.e. the kids' garden)
Who knew dryer lint would ever be appreciated?
Maxecat- Moderator
Re: Garden Elves Share Secrets
muggleborn Wed Jun 12, 2013 9:46 pm
My dad, a big time German, swore by using newspaper on windows. After spritzing with vinegar I think.
Also, you can use epsom salt with your miracle grow in your garden, tomatoes especially love it.
Also, you can use epsom salt with your miracle grow in your garden, tomatoes especially love it.
muggleborn- Ashes
Re: Garden Elves Share Secrets
missypotter Thu Jun 13, 2013 1:07 am
When I was growing up, that was the only way we cleaned windows...with newspapers. It was my most hated job as by the time you were done your hands were black and it was hard to get off. 
It wasn't until I was grown and married that I learned you could use paper towels to clean the windows. Now I don't mind cleaning except for the guilt of wasting paper towels. 
It wasn't until I was grown and married that I learned you could use paper towels to clean the windows. Now I don't mind cleaning except for the guilt of wasting paper towels.
missypotter- Elite Member
Re: Garden Elves Share Secrets
Admin Thu Jun 13, 2013 12:55 pm
Ugh I hate slugs. Have always put salt on any that managed to cross my path. Will have to share these tips with Mom, she's the gardener of the family.
Last edited by Weesa on Mon Jun 24, 2013 10:39 am; edited 1 time in total
Admin- Admin
Re: Garden Elves Share Secrets
Maxecat Sat Jun 15, 2013 9:32 pm
samtibbs, do you feed your kitties soft food occasionally ? (mine get a mix of both)
If you do, you can reuse those tin cans as slug baits...tucked away among the produce you'll expose your bait to more of the little devils and not fill up your garbage bin with clunky cans. Upon finding the dead ones you can dump everything out and start fresh...no touching them. yuck
If you do, you can reuse those tin cans as slug baits...tucked away among the produce you'll expose your bait to more of the little devils and not fill up your garbage bin with clunky cans. Upon finding the dead ones you can dump everything out and start fresh...no touching them. yuck
Maxecat- Moderator
Re: Garden Elves Share Secrets
samtibbs123 Sat Jun 15, 2013 9:39 pm
Good idea i had been using pie tins but my last one of those bit the dust so I will just use the kitty can and then I won't have to get more aluminum pie tins, good for the environment, my garden and bad for the slugs tsk tsk!
Thanks Maxie!
Thanks Maxie!
samtibbs123- Elite Member
Re: Garden Elves Share Secrets
Maxecat Sat Jun 15, 2013 10:01 pm
Well,it seemed like a workable idea. I wish I could find ways of reusing the small tins I have. I love the idea of reusing as much as I can. Not only being 'green' but cutting down on the weight of the bin I have to push down the hilly drive way every week. 
We don't use 2 liter soda bottles but I want to round some up and 'plant' them in the garden so I can deep soak roots of the roses without annoying the lilies.
OH! another use of the egg shells! Dry them up,crush em and soak them in water for 24 hours then water pepper and tomatoes. The added calcium is a real bonus! And the shells can be buried around rose bushes or left crushed around the garden to deter slugs.Why waste them in a garbage can?
In winter they can be crushed in baggies and frozen until ready for the garden or compost bin.
We don't use 2 liter soda bottles but I want to round some up and 'plant' them in the garden so I can deep soak roots of the roses without annoying the lilies.
OH! another use of the egg shells! Dry them up,crush em and soak them in water for 24 hours then water pepper and tomatoes. The added calcium is a real bonus! And the shells can be buried around rose bushes or left crushed around the garden to deter slugs.Why waste them in a garbage can?
In winter they can be crushed in baggies and frozen until ready for the garden or compost bin.
Maxecat- Moderator
Re: Garden Elves Share Secrets
Admin Mon Jun 17, 2013 11:31 am
We always dump our egg shells around Mom's hydrangea, read somewhere that it was good for them. Love the idea of using the kitty food cans for bait traps.
Admin- Admin
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