In the morning I went out in the garden and the pathway between two flower bads was full of snails passing from one side to another. I killed like 70 or so. After 50 I stop counting. Inspired by Randy's experiment with DE I did the same and went a bit further. I made a ring of DE and put a few snails in the middle. After they passed it with no problem I took them and put all of them with some leaves in a cup and I cover the cup with a piece of wood leaving a small opening for air. I wanted to see if they die from DE not from starving and lack of oxygen. They eat some of the leaves and are pilled up at the top of the cup. I checked them every day and give them fresh leaves. After 3 days they are still alive. I guess the DE is not working with my snails. pat

I agree with Paul, the most worry free approach is to go out with a flashlight at night and collect slugs, snails and earwigs while they are doing their dastardly deads. If you are not squemish a pair of old scissors works good to curtail slimy crawlers careers. A pair of thin vinyl or rubber gloves works good for picking earwigs off of tender leaves. I give my earwigs a firm pinch and they no longer devour my dalhias. No worry about poisons effecting benaficial bugs you get the offender in the act. I notice a reduction by 75% the next night. A miners light strapped to your head makes two hands free for "de bugging".

I can't really speak as to what to do in your situation, as I stopped using metaldehyde-containing slug baits years ago. If it were me (especially given all the other garden chores I have to do), I'd water the daylilies heavily and watch and wait. (I'm not sure if more fertilizer will help or hurt in this instance.) If you are lucky, the daylilies won't be bothered (much) and will recover. If they start looking bad, I'd dig and pot them and try to nurse them back to health. In the meantime, and for the future, stop using any slug/snail bait containing metaldehyde! I've used Sluggo or Sluggo Plus for years now for slug/snail control, and the daylilies are not harmed by them - in fact, they are recommended for organic gardening and can be used around edibles (fruits, herbs, vegetables): http://www.biconet.com/crawlers/sluggo.html http://www.montereylawngarden.com/products/organic/ Best of luck!

I use the ammonia solution also.......I find it very effective on slugs and snails. I carry the spray bottle with me, in my utensil bucket, anytime I am in the garden. I spray with no worry about damaging any flower including daylilies. I will even spray it right down into the crown if I see newly hatched slugs down in there. Never had any damage from the ammonia/water mixture. I use about a 1 part ammonia to 4 parts water, but it's always a guess, doesn't have to be exact. I grow most all my cultivars in pots and know from bitter experience that the slugs and snails can cause a lot of damage. I now use the bait on a regular schedule and the spray of ammonia/water when needed.