Hi, we have a lot of slugs in our place. Maybe it is better to speak of an invasion. Of course I give a share of all what I plant to the wild animals but the slugs are taking up to 100% in one night, which is to much. To avoid the chemicals I tried the following:
putting ash or copper bands around plants --> works when it is dry but not when I water or it rains
creating housing for the natural antagonists (hedgehog, toads) --> those species disappear(ed) for other reasons
using slugs fences --> no effect
"sharp" mulching material --> no effect
I also oberserved the following:
1) if I raise the seeds indoor, it is more likely that the plants survive. But I can't raise everything. This year I had pumkins the first tim in 10 years because all plants were eaten ep.
2)The slugs like the mulch, as it stays wet and cool under it.
We always had slugs here, but 20 years ago there were many black ones. It started 10 years ago we had more and more brown ones and it was said, that this is an invasive specy from Spain. Lately I read that gentical projects identified that it is not invasive. I don't know. With the chemical solution I can kill them but I also kill the snails and the last antagonist (which is a predatory slug, called tiger slug). Witout the chemical solution it is nearly not possible to grow anything in the garden.
So my question is: has anybody more ideas what I could try to avoid the chemicals (it is the last chemical I use in my garden) and sametime to grow some vegetables.? It could be tailor-made solutions for my problem or just wild ideas. I will try them.