control slugs or silver fish - & how often

12 years ago

How often do I have to use the bug getta for slugs? I was told when the plants are still small, to get a head start on controlling the them. But how often after that? Also, I have one hosta (don't know the name) that critters just LOVE. The beautiful huge leaves are just about gone, and this happens every year it seems. I did see silver fish on the center of the plant at night. What is the best way to control these without damaging my hostas, and how often do I have to use something. Critters are eating my other hostas too, but not to the extent of this one particular hosta.

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Comments (11)

Babka NorCal 9b
12 years ago
There are a lot of variables...temps, moisture, hiding places, predators. You will know it is time to re-apply when you notice new holes or you notice that the bait has disintegrated. Around here I have to apply it every couple weeks.

-Babka
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
in 25 years of hosta growing.. i have never heard of silverfish being a problem .. thats not to say you arent seeing them.. i just question whether they are doing anything to the hosta .... unless they are just feasting on leaves otherwise destroyed by something else ...

as to slugs .. i am surprised you cant find the 30 to 50 posts about slugs that have been posted in the last month or two ... perhaps they are down the page if you care to do some research..

we cant start over on every topic.. every time ...

please narrow down your question.. once you have boned up on it all

slugs are a year round battle... and you must prevent and react all the time.. but for frozen ground time ....

ken
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Another vote for eggshells. I saved eggshells all winter, crushed them and in April I sprinkled them generously around my emerging hostas and other perennials. I applied the crushed eggshells to tender, newly-planted perennials throughout the growing season and often re-applied them after a heavy rain. The few slugs I did catch on their way to eat something I treated with salt. My hostas & others have very few holes from slug damage this year compared to last year. I thought of using diatomaceous earth but the egg shells were free and readily available plus they add nutrients to the soil as they decompose.
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hostaLes
12 years ago
Silverfish eat starchy things and decaying proteins such as hair, skin flakes, etc. which is why they are often seen in bathrooms. They do no harm to vegetation.

Les
franknjim
12 years ago
Bug Geta

When to Apply

Apply when first plant damage appears or is anticipated and repeat as needed for control. Apply at any time during the day, but evening applications are preferred.

How often to apply

The all weather formula is effective up to 3 to 4 weeks. For best results, repeat applications every 3 weeks.

Bug Geta Plus

When to Apply

Apply anytime you see signs of listed pests. To prevent damage to transplants and seedlings, apply immediately after spring planting. Repeat treatment every 2 weeks or as needed. During periods of high rainfall or frequent watering, it may be necessary to treat more often.

What it Controls

Insects: Kills snails, slugs, plus ants, cutworms, armyworms, earwigs, sowbugs, crickets, pillbugs, grasshoppers, and millipedes.
in ny zone5
12 years ago
I use Bug Geta Plus every 4 weeks and it controls slugs and snails sufficiently. I never saw any silver fish in yard and house. Some other bugs do little holes on hostas, try to get those and future nematodes with a Bayer complete insect spray.
Bernd
steelskies
Original Author
12 years ago
Maybe I am mislabeling those critters. I know there is something else eating my hostas besides slugs. They seem to congregate in the center where the leaves come out. I'll have to try to find out what they are. They love this one hosta I have and seem to destroy it every year, save for a few leaves I have managed to save. thank you everyone for your input.
Babka NorCal 9b
12 years ago
A photo would be really helpful in identifying the critters. Earwigs like to eat hostas. If you roll up a piece of damp newspaper and put it next to the hosta overnight, you can trap those and toss them out in the morning.

-Babka
aka_margo
12 years ago
I'm guessing they are earwigs too. They will eat hostas and any other plant.
Jen
nucci60
12 years ago
Is sluggo as effective as bug geta plus? Bug geta plus is really poisonous.
steelskies
Original Author
12 years ago
No, they are not earwigs. UGG! I hate those. But these are gray kinda oblong type beetles with legs. They are very common but I don't know they're name. They are eating the stems of some of my hostas at night.

I read that using l tbs murphys oil soal to l gal water as a spray is very useful to control spider mites. Could I use this to control slugs and these other critters? Sounds interesting. Has anyone tried this, or could it hurt the hostas?
Babka NorCal 9b
12 years ago
Can you take a photo of the dasterdly critters?

-Babka

control slugs or silver fish - & how often

Comments (11)

Babka NorCal 9b

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

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control slugs or silver fish - & how often

Comments (11)

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steelskiesOriginal Author

steelskiesOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

steelskies
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steelskies
Original Author