I think Vivians comment points towards finding their source and then having identified it and if its possible, lay some Diatomaceous earth and the slugs wont crawl over it. It is harmless and inert but its composition means it is difficult for some insects to cross. I find I can tolerate snails (not in the house) but not slugs and yet slugs are an important part of the chain and are food for hedgehogs, toads and thrushes to name but a few. Why do we find them so disgusting?
I feel for you - having liven in slug city central for decades. If your kitchen is in an extension with no second floor above it, then be aware that some of the slugs raiding your cat's bowl may actually not come from the garden but live in the roof space.
In any case, there's no way to eradicate slugs totally unless you want to drench plants and soil with chemical 'slug-death', thus also affecting other animals living in the soil or living off slugs ...
Yes!! Exactly my experience with the cat's dish, but as he snacks throughout the night, I had no idea until he stopped and I investigated - the biscuits were stuck together and the dish was, as you say, "gossamered with slugslobber". I followed the trails up the wall to the ceiling where they disappeared?! I couldn't work that one out. I can live in harmony with the wood lice and assorted other creepie-crawlies, but slugs - ugh! During this warm spell, flies laying their eggs on the wet cat food is another matter. Finally, thank you for your interesting reads - I look forward to receiving them in my inbox.
I think Vivians comment points towards finding their source and then having identified it and if its possible, lay some Diatomaceous earth and the slugs wont crawl over it. It is harmless and inert but its composition means it is difficult for some insects to cross. I find I can tolerate snails (not in the house) but not slugs and yet slugs are an important part of the chain and are food for hedgehogs, toads and thrushes to name but a few. Why do we find them so disgusting?
I feel for you - having liven in slug city central for decades. If your kitchen is in an extension with no second floor above it, then be aware that some of the slugs raiding your cat's bowl may actually not come from the garden but live in the roof space.
In any case, there's no way to eradicate slugs totally unless you want to drench plants and soil with chemical 'slug-death', thus also affecting other animals living in the soil or living off slugs ...
Yes!! Exactly my experience with the cat's dish, but as he snacks throughout the night, I had no idea until he stopped and I investigated - the biscuits were stuck together and the dish was, as you say, "gossamered with slugslobber". I followed the trails up the wall to the ceiling where they disappeared?! I couldn't work that one out. I can live in harmony with the wood lice and assorted other creepie-crawlies, but slugs - ugh! During this warm spell, flies laying their eggs on the wet cat food is another matter. Finally, thank you for your interesting reads - I look forward to receiving them in my inbox.