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Soil, Compost & Mulch

Slugs and eggs in compost

14 years ago

I have a plastic compost bin, and was excited this Spring to spread the first finished compost around my garden plants. I was so disgusted when I lifted the door at the bottom to find that my compost is filled with slugs and slug eggs. Obviously I didn't spread the compost in my garden, but I don't know what to do. I am afraid that the slugs will crawl out of the bin into my garden when the bin gets too toasty for them, and i don't know how I can kill them in the bin without destroying the compost! Any suggestions?? I had a compost bin at my old house and never had this problem before.

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Comments (4)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
14 years ago
'Sluggo' is an organic (and OMRI approved, if that's important to you) molluscicide that gardeners have been using for many years with great success. It consists of a 'bait' formulation laced with iron phosphate. Harmful to the slugs and snails that ingest it, but safe to use around other animals (including worms, birds, insects, dogs, cats, etc.)
borderbarb
14 years ago
Would it be possible to spread the contents of the bin out in a sunny spot? Birds will be attracted to it or you can go through and pick out slugs by GLOVED hand and dispose of. I'm thinking of the 'fun' that chickens would have with that compost. Do any of your neighbors have a chicken they will loan for slug erradication duties?
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I make little traps that I keep all around my garden and in my composting area. I take normal plastic 20 oz soda bottles, take the lid off and throw it away. Then I cut the top of the bottle right at the point where it starts to slope in to the top. Take that piece and flip it over so the top of the bottle points into the bottle like a funnel. I staple that in place with a normal office stapler in about three spots, with the tines going outward. I put a tablespoon or two of normal slug bait in each bottle, then set them out all around my yard and garden wherever I have slug problems. I typically only do this once a spring, and most of the time I just go out in the spring and collect up the bottles from last year and add another tablespoon of bait. I really don't like spreading the bait (poison) all around my garden, and screwing around with the beer traps is just a nuisance. This is only my third year at this location, and while I saw a few slugs this spring, I think I've just about eliminated them from my yard. One little bag or box of the slug bait lasts me for years doing it this way. I haven't found anything that works better.
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The eggs look like clusters of fish eggs except they are a creamy color and rather small - see the attached link. They can be found just on the top of the soil, but most often they are somewhat protected and tucked under something.......birds and other creatures find them quite appealing treats :-) Leaves, debris, mulch, the bottom of pots and containers, etc., all make good hiding places. Typically you will find them somewhere moist and dark. Here is a link that might be useful:
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hi all... nope...no pic at the moment...just went in search of the little buggers...but can't find them....so maybe not an emergency... if i find them again as i poke around...i will definitely take a pic right away... not related to zoe...but her pic is not what i have... not as big a cluster as she had either... jill
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Thanks everyone - great insights. I won't use 'cides either. Nearly killed myself fifteen years ago using an Ortho product (and was stupid enough to not use gloves and breathed it IN!) Plus, believe it or not, I like the bunnies. And the insects, toads, spiders and all the other misaligned lifeforms that we need. I just wish I could find which one is next in line in the food chain over the darned slugs. Think I'll use Woodthrush's idea of getting the slug bait on them as they hatch, which is probably going to happen as soon as winter leaves Chicago in July. Then, the Ammonia - I don't know how you do it, Papou, with all the Hosta you have! Looks like my sprayer will be my best friend this year. And it looks like I need to SHAPE UP in August. I wonder what they do in Europe? I always feel as though they're ahead of us in the sciences! Thanks to all Westy PS That was an interesting website, Papou. Thanks. Oh, and will you be sending new photos of the gardens this year? I'd love to see the latest 'new' beds' progress.
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dchall_san_antonio
14 years ago
Apparently they are attracted to beer. If you bury a container up to the edge that has some beer at the bottom, they will crawl in and stay until they drown. Since they are all in your compost pile as of now, this might do the trick for you.
bpgreen
14 years ago
"Apparently they are attracted to beer. If you bury a container up to the edge that has some beer at the bottom, they will crawl in and stay until they drown. Since they are all in your compost pile as of now, this might do the trick for you."

I read somewhere that it's actually the yeast in the beer that attracts them. According to that article (sorry, no link, going from memory) if you reconstitute some yeast in water and add some sugar (or honey, syrup, etc) you can get the same results.

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