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Slug and snail problem

nicole.jose1nicole.jose1 Posts: 3
in Fruit & veg
Hi there,

first post here so bear with me.
I have a question regarding slug and snail baits. I have tried all the organic traps etc and could not get rid of slug and snails from around my veggie garden so i went to the last resort of using snail and slug pallets. I folowed all instructions as per the box. 
My question is how long after you have put the pallets around the plants can you plant new seedlings/veggies? I have some more seedlings ready to transplant but am scared of toxic chemicals getting to them and into my soil. TIA

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 28,827
    edited November 2019
    Hello and welcome to the forum.

    If you use the wildlife friendly slug pellets the spares break down into harmless substances if used correctly.   

    Have a read of this info from the RSPB - https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/gardening-for-wildlife/animal-deterrents/organic-pest-control/non-toxic-slug-control/
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • barry islandbarry island Posts: 1,615
    I grow my veg on an allotment plot so cosmetic appearance isn't an issue for me but I have just sunk an old kitchen sink into the top of the plot with the hope of encouraging frogs and toads into the area, if all goes to plan the frogs and toads will help keep the slugs population in check. I have a pond at home which in spring has toad spawn in it which the fish eat so I will take some of that to the allotment to add to the sunk sink. Of course a sunk sink doesn't look too good in a residential garden so an ornamental pond might be the answer, frogs and toads can be our friends.
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,620
    Having lived in a swamp with literally thousands of frogs and toads, (lawn mowing was mass murder) I will say that they do not keep slug numbers down noticeably. the Iron phosphate pills do however.
  • barry islandbarry island Posts: 1,615
    Wouldn't slug numbers be up in swamp areas though, as in thousands of frogs and toads millions of slugs?
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391
    A useful thing to know is (in general) plants don't take up toxins from the soil, so no real need to worry about that aspect.  There are exceptions: ground contaminated by heavy metals such as lead and mercury, radioactivity or by some complex chemicals such as many pesticides and biocides.  However, slug pellets (of any kind) contain nothing of worry in this respect.
    As others have said, the main issue is that some kinds of pellet are toxic to animals so precautions do need to be taken.  If I have to use them then they are placed on the ground and covered by a slate with a stone under each corner to raise it off the ground slightly.  With a brick on top to weigh it down, only a fox or badger would really be able to get at them and with only half a dozen pellets under the slate they wouldn't cause a serious problem to a creature of that size.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • nicole.jose1nicole.jose1 Posts: 3
    Thanks to everyone who gave advice, i dont feel as anxious using the pellets now 
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