is vermiculite any use as a slug deterrent?

m.tolhurst

I have just been given a big sack of vermiculite and am using it in potting - it's occurred to me that it might have other uses. Has anyone ever tried is as a slug / snail barrier? And did it work?

I garden without pesticides, in the hills of north Herefordshire, about two miles from the Welsh border and have terrible problems with slugs and snails.

Mark56

It may do but grit might be a better defensive option. I use lambs wool pellets as a mulch, works a treat. Another organic method is spraying with a cooked garlic water solution but it has to be reapplied after rain. 

Last edited: 10 June 2017 12:36:24

Fairygirl

Noting stops molluscs here - except picking them off and squishing. They laugh in the face of grit, eggshells etc.

They climb the house walls here - which are covered in a crushed shell render  

m.tolhurst

Pretty much the same scenario here, Fairygirl.

I was just wondering if anyone had thought of trying it. I'll give it a whirl and see  if it makes any difference.. I was thinking along the lines that a moving dry surface might, just might, be tricky for a slug to move over... might get gummed up???

I'll let y'aal know in time. fingers crossed. I'm experimenting with course grit too.. but Herefordshire snails are tough little critters.