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26-12-2019, 10:25 PM
1

Nematodes?

Just wondering whether anyone has any successful experience of using these to control pests. I've been advised that they are good for getting rid of slugs.
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26-12-2019, 10:38 PM
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Re: Nematodes?

I remember that Mups tested these so she might be able to advise you.
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26-12-2019, 10:49 PM
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Re: Nematodes?

Originally Posted by Longdogs ->
I remember that Mups tested these so she might be able to advise you.
Thanks! As an alternative I have been advised to cut slugs in half or stick them in the compost bin.... apparently otherwise they do have a homing instinct but is that really true?
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26-12-2019, 11:00 PM
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Re: Nematodes?

I can’t think what sadist would advise cutting a living creature in half .
My compost bin was full of slugs - great big ones last winter they seem to live there very happily.
Kindest thing is to pick them up and take them at least a mile away and let them loose .
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26-12-2019, 11:17 PM
5

Re: Nematodes?

Originally Posted by Muddy ->
I can’t think what sadist would advise cutting a living creature in half .
My compost bin was full of slugs - great big ones last winter they seem to live there very happily.
Kindest thing is to pick them up and take them at least a mile away and let them loose .
It's probably the least cruel way to kill a slug. They don't really suffer. I just cannot bear to do it.

In terms of the compost bins, ours are in full sunlight so in summer they will burn alive. This is why I stopped putting them in there. Last year it was more snails than slugs and I put netting up. They then were caught in the netting which was just as nasty. I was thinking of looking for netting that has more dense gaps so they cannot get between them.

Then I was advised about these nematodes. I had a quick look at the net and there's conflicting information.
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27-12-2019, 11:05 AM
6

Re: Nematodes?

How do you know they don’t suffer ?
The slugs in my compost bin went there of their own accord .
Nematodes eat them from the inside .
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27-12-2019, 12:15 PM
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Re: Nematodes?

Originally Posted by Muddy ->
How do you know they don’t suffer ?
The slugs in my compost bin went there of their own accord .
Nematodes eat them from the inside .
The best way is to get a couple of thrushes or blackbirds to call
every morning, or failing that sprinkle salt on them!
Donkeyman!
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27-12-2019, 12:37 PM
8

Re: Nematodes?

There are thousands of slugs in our gardens. I have reduced mine considerably over the years by collecting them in a bucket by torchlight and taking them down the lane and leaving them as a treat for the birds.

I think it is snails that make their way back to a garden rather than slugs, the slugs I remove would find it difficult to return there are quite a number of barriers in the way.

When I first started collecting them (warm damp nights are the best) I was picking up quarter of a half a bucket some nights, now I am down to half a dozen.
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27-12-2019, 12:49 PM
9

Re: Nematodes?

Originally Posted by Muddy ->
How do you know they don’t suffer ?
The slugs in my compost bin went there of their own accord .
Nematodes eat them from the inside .
I doubt if being eaten alive from the inside will not cause great suffering.
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27-12-2019, 12:59 PM
10

Re: Nematodes?

No one loves a slug
 
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