Why do slugs climb my doors? There's no vegitation around them?
Question:As all in the UK know... it's been raining for ages... i can't remember a rainier Spring/Summer ever.
As a result I'm noticing loads more slugs outside in my backgarden. but they keep climbing my garage door (white wood and 7ft)... and kitchen door too (White PVC and glass).
A few slugs were like near the top of door and one had just about switched directions and was coming back down. And both doors are moisture free (or at least not as wet as the surrounding garden paving stones).
Answers:
Slugs wont cross over copper. So if you place scrap copper where you dont want them to be you wont have any problems. Hope this helps. If you would like more gardening tips feel free to join my new group. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gardeningf...
WOW weird - maybe word got round to the 'Extreme' slugs that your garage door was the place to be .. ??!! (Yeah dude - serious slime man !!!!!)
The copper works but you have to clean it. Once a slug trail is on a part of it it won't shock them anymore at that spot. Keep your copper clean with a quick baking soda paste scrub whenever you notice it being dirty.
We have a small balcony with a patio door leading onto it and the slugs have been climbing up that, too.
When I leave the door open a crack in the evening, they invite themselves into the house - there is decking on the balcony and I think they live under there during the day.
Solved the problem in the main - I put a sprinkle of salt trail all along their horizontal chosen routes and go out at night with a torch and a bag. Gather all I can find and bin them! The numbers have dropped noticeably over the past few sessions of slug hunting.
You can attract them to specific point by putting a bit of dog or cat food (or any left over meat) in a saucer - they will come leaping over the fences to get it!
I reckon that if they find a vertical surface, their instinct is to start climbing in the hope that it's a plant stem and they will find juicy vegetation at the top.
You might try a beer-trap near the door, if you can sink a beer-filled yoghourt pot or similar into the ground. Like me, slugs are irresistibly attracted by the smell of beer, but unlike me, they fall in and drown. Messy, but perhaps less unpleasant than having to detach them from your doors.
I use the beer in a saucer with success. A line of salt or ashes will also work. They won't cross it. Here's my best hint. If you accidentally pick up a slug while picking up a pot or other item, rub salt on the slime on your hands before you wash them. Gets rid of the slime. Soap alone won't do it.
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