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Ponds & Aquatic Plants

Slugs, What Do You Do w/ Them?

14 years ago

Just recently I've noticed that every time I open my skimmer filter lid I have one or two slugs clinging to the top. I also have noticed quite a few out in the bordering perennial plant bed. We've been slightly cooler and moderately wet this summer, now fall.

When you find them what do you do with them?

I feel compelled to get them out of my skimmer box since they prolly could mucK-up the pump or filter.

I don't have koi, only a dozen or so goldfish and lots of gambusia, so I don't think I have anything in there that would eat them. If I throw them into the perennial bed, which is what I've been doing as of late, then I feel like I'm just adding to my problem. Thanks in advance.

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Comments (9)

pat_c
14 years ago
I would throw them in the pond for the frogs. They'd love them!
mondotomhead
14 years ago
I am a live and let live kinda person. I move them to a shady spot if they are somewhere I don't want them. And, yeah, they make holes in the hostas but Home and Garden is not scheduled to visit this year so I don't care.

I'm sure the usual drowning in beer and slug-be-gone poison posts will show up but I just cannot do these things.
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pondbucket
Original Author
14 years ago
Interesting takes.

While I've had toads for a couple years now I've just recently found a frog coming around. He hops into the pond every time I make it to the side of the overlook. He's long, thin, and very green... looks nothing like my visiting toads, which I think are American Toads.

So he likes slugs, ah?!
socks
14 years ago
Slugs...we have plenty...they are not endangered. Smoosh and add to compost heap.
horton
14 years ago
Your fish will gobble them up. They are full of protein.
"Horton"
sdavis
14 years ago
If they are a pest in some areas, having snip fests with scissors and tossing the bits where birds can find them encorages slug eating birds to visit the garden more...

When you have toads a plenty, slugs are going to be thin on the ground
pondbucket
Original Author
14 years ago
Horton (and everyone else), the slugs are large, and the fish and toads are not.

I'm just thinking about size of creature v. size of creature. I don't think my fish could eat a slug since they are about equal in size.

Maybe that long frog will take care of 'em?
frugalgardener
14 years ago
My daughter has a snake that LOVES slugs. I gather some up and take them over to her every week or so. I'm not overly fond of snakes but I like this one much more than I like slugs.
sam
horton
14 years ago
If you have the stomach to do it, chop them up as sdavis suggested and feed them to your fish.
If not, you could pour a few grains of salt on them, to kill them.
"Horton"

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