My raised bed garden with built-in slug control (video)

[Sawyer Rob]

I grow veggies, I like raised beds, but I can't bring myself to grow veggies using pressure treat wood for raised beds...

LONG time ago, I had a slug problem... I used some boxed "slug control" my dad had around here one time, and that really knocked them down. Also, I mulch my gardens in heavy, and slugs don't seem to like that at all...

Anyway, looks like you have an idea that works and would be GREAT for raised flower beds...

SR

 

[tractorgp]

Are stainless steel staples and SS wire absolutely required?

Great idea. I'm planning to give it a try. Thanks!

I've used aluminum welding wire but it corrodes and breaks easily after a year. Galvanized steel wire rusted in spots after one year. Copper wire will most likely oxidize (making poor electrical connection with slugs) - but I haven't tried copper. I bought the spool of SS wire (shown in the video) at the local Princess Auto store. Length not given but looks like it will do many raised bed like the one shown in the video.

 

[tractorgp]

I grow veggies, I like raised beds, but I can't bring myself to grow veggies using pressure treat wood for raised beds...

LONG time ago, I had a slug problem... I used some boxed "slug control" my dad had around here one time, and that really knocked them down. Also, I mulch my gardens in heavy, and slugs don't seem to like that at all...

Anyway, looks like you have an idea that works and would be GREAT for raised flower beds...

SR

In at least one of my slug control videos (using the electric fence idea) I "confess" to using slug poison on the raised bed before I start planting. That is for an existing raised bed that would have must likely attracted slugs over the winter/spring. I cover the poison with a board, install the 9-volt battery, and clean everything up the next day. One problem with poison is that slugs are attracted to it and head for the garden. Same as with beer traps. So always a challenge to take care of the problem.

 

[tractorgp]

I grow veggies, I like raised beds, but I can't bring myself to grow veggies using pressure treat wood for raised beds...

LONG time ago, I had a slug problem... I used some boxed "slug control" my dad had around here one time, and that really knocked them down. Also, I mulch my gardens in heavy, and slugs don't seem to like that at all...

Anyway, looks like you have an idea that works and would be GREAT for raised flower beds...

SR

Sorry, forgot to respond to treated wood comment ... it is no doubt a questionable use for a vegetable garden but probably no worse than perhaps pesticides, slug poison, and whatever. But I'm no expert on the subject.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

It was many years ago when I used the slug bait, I have no idea what it even was...

I don't use any chemicals to control pest in my gardens, no chemical fertilizers either...

Since going to HEAVY mulch, I haven't needed to, I just don't have those problems, other than Japanese beetles, they were eating some flowers, so I bought "traps" and trapped them.

I didn't use any chemicals for them either and nearly wiped them out in one summer with two traps...

SR

 

[randy41]

sluggo is effective against slugs

 

[tractorgp]

sluggo is effective against slugs

If you take this article at face value it seems like Sluggo is not that great for pets and people even though it is supposed to be... here's the link: WARNING: Sluggo Toxic for people and wildlife : Rare Fruits, Edibles and Permaculture with a focus on tropicals

 

[RosieErickson]

Hey. it is really a nice idea. I am surely gonna try this once. Hope it works.

 

[CalG]

Garter snakes have the slugs in control this year

A dryer year may see the snakes in decline. But this rainy summer, I have seen two broods.
At least by the presence of very small and young looking examples in the gardens.

 

[NewfieDan]

There aren't enough snakes here on the rock to control the slugs. There are only a few breeding populations of garter snakes on the island so far.