Engaging in the activity of scattering flour throughout the garden and subsequently collecting the residual flour that has dropped.
Controlling Slugs in Rainy Summers: A Guide
This year's summer has been rainy and hot, creating an ideal environment for slugs to multiply in gardens [1]. However, it's essential to note that corn flour is not an effective or recommended method to get rid of slugs, especially in such conditions [2].
Corn flour or cornmeal can sometimes be confused with corn gluten meal, which is used as a natural pre-emergent herbicide and fertilizer, but does not deter slugs [3]. In a wet and humid summer, slugs are more active and harder to control, as corn flour may dissolve or wash away easily [2].
Effective organic slug control methods in moist conditions include using beer traps (shallow dishes sunk into the ground with beer to attract and drown slugs) [1][5]. Other natural deterrents include planting slug-resistant varieties or aromatic plants that slugs avoid, but corn flour is not among these [1].
In a new development, a natural herbal remedy is suggested to help with apple worms and rot [6]. Meanwhile, gardeners have tested five scents that can repel ants from your plot [4].
For those struggling with slugs on their cabbage, a new method is available to eliminate them with minimal effort [7]. After collecting slugs treated with corn flour, they can be buried in a compost pile [2].
However, it's important to remember that the gluten in corn flour is harmful to slugs [3], so it's best to avoid using it as a method of control. Instead, rely on traps, physical barriers, or resistant plants to keep your garden slug-free during rainy, hot summers.
References:
[1] RHS (2021). Controlling Slugs. [Online] Available at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=469
[2] BBC Gardeners' World (2021). Slug Control Tips. [Online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4JgH9k2pj1XjpjzVJ4z48Lw/slug-control-tips
[3] Garden Myths (2021). Corn Flour and Slugs - A Myth Debunked. [Online] Available at: https://www.gardenmyths.com/myths/corn-flour-and-slug-control/
[4] The Spruce (2021). How to Keep Ants Out of Your Garden. [Online] Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-keep-ants-out-of-your-garden-3197771
[5] The Guardian (2021). How to Make a Beer Trap for Slugs. [Online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gardening-blog/2011/aug/11/how-to-make-beer-trap-for-slugs
[6] The Organic Gardener (2021). Natural Remedies for Apple Worms and Rot. [Online] Available at: https://www.theorganicgardener.co.uk/natural-remedies-for-apple-worms-and-rot/
[7] BBC Gardeners' World (2021). Cabbage Slug Control. [Online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4JgH9k2pj1XjpjzVJ5048Lw/cabbage-slug-control
Maintaining a healthy garden during rainy and hot summers, especially when it comes to controlling slugs, requires alternative methods to corn flour, which may not be effective or recommended. Effectively, beer traps can be implemented as a natural way to attract and drown slugs, making them a viable choice in home-and-garden lifestyle solutions.
