Slug traps - yes they do work
I found no slugs on the sunflowers when I went out hunting last night. This is encouraging but at the same time I actually was a little dissapointed not to find any. The trap results this morning:
Trap 1: single pot (sunflowers) - no slugs.
Trap 2: single pot (runner beans) - 2 slugs.
Trap 3: three chamber trap (lettuces) - no slugs.
The total number in this week:
Trap 1: single pot (sunflowers) - 12 slugs (plus 8 found on the sunflowers)
Trap 2: single pot (runner beans) - 18 slugs.
Trap 3: three chamber trap (lettuces) - 3 slugs.
Local slug numbers around the sunflowers have been significantly affected by a week of hunting and trapping.The answer to the original question - are slug traps any good - does seem to be yes, especially if you can't or don't want to go out hunting. Overall, I have a preference for the single pot chambers which seem more effective, are less prone to mould growth, are easier to remove slugs from, and are a bit cheaper to buy. I remain an advocate of going out at night with a torch though. You get to see what creatures are out there at night. I see toads regularly which is great and I still might see a hedgehog one day.
I have decided not to switch bait for now, but rather have topped up the levels with fresh beer to see if that makes a difference. Just as I walked out the door with a beer in hand at 9 this morning, the neighbour across the street got in his car to go to work. I wonder if he noticed.