Slug nematodes

What's the best time to use them?

anyone else use them? what are your opinions on them?

I've never used the slug nematodes before but i have used the weevil one in the past & they worked a treat

 

@honeybunny
I've used these for a few years and believe they work. Problem is unlike slug pellets you don't see the corpses and I haven't done a controlled experiment with two beds growing lettuce and treating one and not the other. I combine them with night time strolls to remove any slugs munching seedlings.
I get a 4 pack programme and use it mainly on the veg plot and areas where I think there is currently a slug problem. Application is at any time the soil temperature is above 5°C and is damp. Packs will keep for a few weeks in the fridge if it's too cold or dry.

 

Yes honeybunny I use them
Similar to Nigel’s system...combining nematodes and night torch patrols
However, nematodes have a limited effect...they don’t work on snails and can only be used when temps are high enough.
I think they are effective but I use them in early spring, next 3 weeks or so, to keep numbers down. Slugs are not a big problem here in summer
Remember to use a coarse rose on your watering can......Hawes number 14 to apply nematodes

 

The slugs were in biblical proportions last year but i didn't see many snails now you mention it, a few but not many (i went out nighly with the torch to collect as many as possible) i couldn't believe how many slugs there were! In every imaginable size & colour! Who knew there were orange slugs! my nighly partols made barely any impression on their population. almost everything i grew last year was eaten im hoping nematodes & beer traps will be enough to keep them in check.

Should i apply nematodes multiple times throughout the season? Or just in the spring?

 

They “last” for about 6 weeks honeybunny so maybe 2 or 3 times.
I find once is enough for me. A regular torchlight duty will reduce numbers.
Here, a small pool encourages frogs into the garden, hedgehogs visit and a diverse planting encourages birds so a combination of methods helps control slugs and snails

 

Thank you, you've been very helpful

Sadly our little hedgehog friend passed away last winter (hence the slug population explosion in his absence!) He was such a wonderful little creature It must be about 10 yrs since he first visited us. Im not used to fighting this slug war alone

 

Night strolls around the garden picking up slugs sorry not for me it freck me out lol
I use slug gone and that works for me i had less slugs and snails as previous years so either it was slug gone or tiggs the cat cause anything doasn,t survive long once its on his territory

 

Well worth those night patrols....I grow lots of hostas without damage from slugs and snails.

 

@Verdun how do you dispose of the slugs once you've collected them? My hens won't eat them despite loving snails, and my partner has some strong objections to my previous chosen method of drowning in cheap beer

 

2nd-bassoon
I have a small container of salted water.....I empty the contents onto a hedge or into compost bin.