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Gardening

Bloody Immigrants

(118 Posts)
GandTea Mon 06-Jun-16 09:29:02

I am overrun by those awful Spanish. I hate them, would do anything to rid myself of them.

What am I talking about? bloody Spanish* slugs, horrid great things are eating my garden as I watch.

Slug pellets deter but don't kill them, my hedgehog won't eat them as they taste bitter ( how the hell anyone knows that I fear to ask)

I collect scores every morning and kill them either with a bucket of soapy water (as recommended) or a boot. heading out now with rubber gloves on.

* It does appear that they do not actually originate from Spain.

Alima Mon 06-Jun-16 09:43:14

I know how you feel GrandTea though I this case I think they are bog standard indigenous bl..dy snails. We now live about a mile from our last home where it was all slugs. Some mornings you could see them advancing up the lawn looking like a scene from Zulu, relentless little bar stewards. Here, snails rule, or at least they did till I declared war on them, hand picking them to re-locate, as you suggest, in soapy water. Do use pellets in the front garden, not so much in the back because of DGC and pets. I think I may be winning! Good luck with yours, don't give up!

trisher Mon 06-Jun-16 09:45:17

I knew slugs looked different but still not sure which is which. Are the Spanish ones the big black ones?

Alea Mon 06-Jun-16 10:04:12

You need to reason with them in Slug Spanish, GandTea. Point out the health and economic advantages of staying in Spain. Offer to help them with their return trip - first step being an economy flight over your fence into next door's garden!!
#likewotido

trisher Mon 06-Jun-16 10:20:01

When my DSs were little they thought our garden would make a fantastic snail farm, all that was needed was that the snails should be collected and kept in one area. At different times they started the project but never got further than the initial collecting stage, they couldn't find way of successfully keeping snails in one place, they kept escaping overnight!

GandTea Mon 06-Jun-16 10:59:31

This is what they look like, up to 6" long and as thick as your thumb. They do come in other colours.

GandTea Mon 06-Jun-16 11:01:27

I speak to them in Irish -- a shillelagh.

Alea Mon 06-Jun-16 11:03:29

You make it sound like an online advertisement "Other colours available"!!

GandTea Mon 06-Jun-16 11:04:30

BUT, I now have some EU immigrants that I am excited about having smile

Tree bumblebees have taken over two of my bird boxes. One is fine, the other I have to be a bit careful of, it is over the shed door, must open and close it gently. Apparently they don't like vibration, which I found out when I nailed a "Beware Bees" sign on the box.

ninathenana Mon 06-Jun-16 11:07:07

GS told his teacher that snails fly. "No, X that's not true"
"Well, my grandad makes them fly" says X

H throws them over the hedge into the field behind grin

rosesarered Mon 06-Jun-16 11:55:07

it seems we all [or some of us] give flying lessons to slugs and snails [they have a homing instinct though, so will probably be back.hmm]
slugs make me shudder, but snails look a bit better somehow.

GandTea Mon 06-Jun-16 12:09:44

On closer inspection, one nest box has Tree Bees and the other normal Bumble bees.

NanaandGrampy Mon 06-Jun-16 14:15:52

We live near a heavily wooded railway cutting ... DH solves the problem by throwing them over the fence !!!

I'm sure it's not a brilliant idea but he gets lots of satisfaction from it.

PRINTMISS Mon 06-Jun-16 14:47:31

I used to throw mine over the fence, thought I was a good enough aim to get them into the road, where the cars would crush them, until I heard an "OUCH". That was in our old garden, where we had lots of
slugs and snails, and bricks, stones, etc which they hid under. I did at one time find a very efficient water diluted slug killer, but it seemed to be only available for a year or two, not sure what it was called, and perhaps it was too dangerous for householders to use, but it was really good. Protected all my pots throughout the year.

GandTea Mon 06-Jun-16 17:06:17

As it appears that some GNers have objected to what was a humourous play on words in my title, especially as it was on the Gardening forum, not the political on, I have asked for the thread to be deleted.

Thanks to those that did think it humorous.

soop Mon 06-Jun-16 17:11:03

GandTea grin

annsixty Mon 06-Jun-16 17:36:08

Some posters are pathetic and need to have something to really moan about.

Bellanonna Mon 06-Jun-16 17:36:57

Oh blimey ! I think it was very funny and I'm sure most of us can take a joke. I dont see any adverse posts on here so maybe you were PMd ? Twould have been more honest to have come on here and been open, quite honestly. Nowt as queer.......
And I use the latter word in its meaning of strange.

Ana Mon 06-Jun-16 17:39:18

Absolutely pathetic! Have some people no better way to spend their time than trawling Gransnet to find something to complain about and report? angry

annsixty Mon 06-Jun-16 17:42:44

Will the ones who complained please come on this thread and say why they were so offended as to report it. I really would like to hear their reasoning.

soop Mon 06-Jun-16 17:47:03

Me too an' all. angry

Alea Mon 06-Jun-16 17:47:35

Adding my voice to that! This is beyond ridiculous. First thatbags gets gagged now a jokey thread about slugs -*offends*???
Own up, which slug member was responsible? Let's hear your complaint angry

Ceesnan Mon 06-Jun-16 17:48:58

There is no way that this thread should be deleted. Someone has had a massive sense of humour failure. GNHQ read through the thread and see for yourselves that this is light hearted.

soop Mon 06-Jun-16 17:49:42

Alea Thanks for taking the words right out of my mouth.

Indinana Mon 06-Jun-16 17:54:31

Oh for God's sake! What IS the matter with some people? Do they just make a career out of 'being offended'? Sad, pathetic, humourless, soulless morons. And they haven't even the courage to stand up and be counted, but just go and report anonymously. I'm angry beyond words angry