Westy1941, I hope you will be able to use less Sluggo and still get good results. Sassy7142, the photos on the 19th were taken around noon, the others around 8 am. Lately, I have only seen a couple slugs when I add Sluggo to a cafe; the first year I saw a bunch the first few times. I try to fill the cafes every 2 weeks but it is probably closer to a month & I still don't have much slug damage. The saucers are not propped up; ofentimes there is a small space between the saucer and the mulch (I don't think the slugs need much of a space to get through, especially after seeing them under the pots of potted plants). Each Hosta garden has a cafe and when some gardens merged together, the new larger garden would just keep the existing cafes. The cafes may be about 30 feet apart (very roughly). Some cafes are closer together in a garden that is connected to a woods. Any area that has had slug damage will get an extra cafe. MaidofShade, I bought Sluggo at Bachman's here in the cities. Also bought Shultz iron phosphate at Menards. I have seen Sluggo on eBay last year (haven't looked this year). Just a note, when I fill the cafes, I take a screwdriver along to clean out the old Sluggo. It is usually in a clump after getting moist (the Sluggo does not stay completely dry, just drier than being on the ground). Cowboy

I bought 2 bags of the stuff at $9.50 a bag and tossed it around some plants that were taking more than their fair share of abuse from snails and slugs. I live in Santa Barbara, CA, a coastal area that is currently suffering from what we refer to as the "gloom" - a dense fog pattern running from May through June of each year. We haven't seen the sun for weeks. Very bleak. Someone tried to jump off of a bridge the other day. He must have been using cocoa shell mulch as well. It developed a thick layer of fungus within 5 days of application. I doubt that it is successful as a snail/splug deterrent under these circumstances. I sprayed a solution of ammonia (10%) and coffee (90%) over the infected mulch which seems to have temporarily neutralized the mildew problem. Moreover, snails and slugs hate this liquid. Perhaps cocoa mulch is effective in dry climates, such as in the Southwest, but I do not recommend it for high humidity or rainy regions.

I think it may be possible to divert the water coming down the gabled roof plane before it hits the flat section. Is there any where to put a collector box and downspout on either edge of the flat portion? Be aware that what I'm thinking of could only be executed in metal in my area. If you're in a less frost-prone locale, then it may not involve replacing the gable shingles with metal. As for the drainage in the courtyard, you may have to dig in a box drain around the perimeter, or at least on the low side in front of the patio doors. The gravel roof problem falls in the domain of those professionals who do hot-mopped asphalt roofs. Casey

Might ought to buy some slug and snail bait and put a halt to the reproduction that's going to ramp up. Had them bad a few years ago along with snails, but now just seem to have snails on an ongoing basis. Getting pots and anything laying flat on the ground eliminates hiding places and allows for better coverage of the granular bait. I have to reapply about every 3 months. Metaldehyde, the active ingredient, won't hurt your veggies.