Slugs on my leafy greens?

s1rGr1nG0 4/7/2014, 3:30 pm

We have an elevated bed, (about 14x18), that is about 3 feet off the ground. I've noticed that something is munching on my leaves at night. I'm guessing slugs but wanted to get the experts at SFG forum thoughts on it?

If it is slugs...where the hell do they hide? I've looked under all the leaves and plant bases, around the interior of the box, under fallen leaves, EVERYWHERE...but I can't find any trace of the critters anywhere. Where do the go when they aren't eating my stuff?

Slugs on my leafy greens? IMG_0362_zps8457918f

Slugs on my leafy greens? IMG_0362_zps8457918f

Slugs on my leafy greens? IMG_0363_zps9cc80ff0

Here's a pic of the full bed. I have another bed in a 4x4 on the ground that I just planted yesterday but would like to get a handle on this one so I will know how to work on the other one if the same thing happens.

Slugs on my leafy greens? IMG_0361_zps2b6d0716

Slugs on my leafy greens? IMG_0361_zps2b6d0716

**sanderson** 4/7/2014, 3:45 pm

To see the slugs, snails or sow bugs in action, grab a flashlight and look at night! The neighbors may think you are acting a little strange, but we all have stories to tell of our neighbors wondering what the heck we are doing . . . A little Sluggo Plus sprinkled around the outside perimeter of the box can help with the above.

CapeCoddess 4/7/2014, 5:28 pm

I put clam shells around in my beds and find them hiding under those in the morning. Dishes of beer work also but have to be changed out too often for this lazy gardener.
sawing logs

CC

**AtlantaMarie** 4/8/2014, 8:54 am

I've read that used coffee grounds sprinkled in & around beds keeps slugs away. Am trying it myself.

It also drives away the Carrot Rust Fly, so sprinkle on top of your carrot beds.

s1rGr1nG0 4/8/2014, 11:22 am

UPDATE!!

Caught the little thieves red-handed! I took Sanderson's advice and went out with a flashlight at 5am!!
Sure enough there they were just munching on MY buffet. Thing is, they weren't slugs but some type of caterpillar. I tried to google them and also checked on a bug ID site but there are so many "brown catterpillars" out there it's mind boggling! One was about an inch long, you can just see part of my thumb in the pic. The other was about 2 inches long and much bigger. Same species you think or maybe 2 different ones?

Any ideas?

Slugs on my leafy greens? IMG_0364_zps2dfb96d6

Slugs on my leafy greens? IMG_0364_zps2dfb96d6

Slugs on my leafy greens? IMG_0365_zps1fe3b66e

southern gardener 4/8/2014, 11:26 am

Looks like a type of cutworm to me? I'm no expert for SURE. I SWEAR by the go out at night method. I've done it for years. It's amazing what's going on at night! We had plants mowed down over night. Turns out it was EARWIGS!! The plants were literally covered in them, with the leaves bending down with so many!! YECK! We used Sluggo PLUS on them and that took care of the problem. Go out again and see if you find more critters. Glad you found these !!

CapeCoddess 4/8/2014, 11:31 am

s1rGr1nG0, maybe you could email those photos to your extension office if no one here can ID them. Gruesome.

CC

grownsunshine 4/8/2014, 11:39 am

...so since I've seen a few posts with people saying they use Sluggo, it must be non toxic? Doesn't get absorbed into plants?

sunny

s1rGr1nG0 4/8/2014, 12:36 pm

CapeCoddess wrote:s1rGr1nG0, maybe you could email those photos to your extension office if no one here can ID them. Gruesome.

CC

Great idea! I just emailed them the pics. Hopefully I'll hear something soon.

CapeCoddess 4/8/2014, 12:49 pm

Let us know, 'kay? It's always good to know our 'enemies'. Twisted Evil

CC

**AtlantaMarie** 4/9/2014, 2:02 pm

s1rGr1nG0 - Are these little buggers striped? Could be ear worms or corn borers.

Or do they look "greasy?" Could be a cutworm.

Pg 144 - ANSFG2.

Just a thought...

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