Slugs

[Lawrence]

I have quite a collection of Hostas grown in pots on the patio and have used Scotts liquid slug clear to great effect, however, this has now been removed from the market. Can anyone suggest a good, preferably liquid based control? The active ingredient in slug clear is metaldehyde, is this still available and would it work if watered on?

[Growild]

Lawrence try 'Grazers' Slugs & Snails a totally natural product that does not harm other wildlife. You can buy in a spray or concentrate form. While we haven't used this particular spray (we luckily leave that job to the frogs and hedgehogs) we regularly use their rabbit, deer, vole formula which I can't recommend highly enough.

[TC]

I do a midnight slug hunt in the garden which seems quite effective.  I collect a few of the squashed individuals and leave them on a wall next to the current seedlings and potted-on plants
The next evening they are covered in more slugs feeding on the remains.  The process is repeated. I would say that this takes care of about 80% of the problem.  I use a pair of small scissors to get at the ones who have made it into the pots and leave the remains there.  This attracts more slugs who feed on the remains and ignore the plant.
However, I also lift ALL my pots every couple of days to get at the ones sheltering underneath.  Being retired, I have the time to do so.