I like Coin's idea. I will try it. (photo did not come through - I believe you can only do that now via the forum) Here in the usually moist Pacific Northwest, specifically western Washington, slugs, both native and introduced, are a perennial, constant problem. However, this year the population of slugs is the lowest I've experienced in memory in the last 25 years --- maybe due to the fact we've had no appreciable precipitation in my area since the end of March --- it's a mediterranean climate, so summer drought is to be expected, but not of such a long duration. I have found using beer in containers with a little depth, i.e. cat food cans, cottage cheese containers, buried in the ground to near the rim *is* effective. But two caveats: it means going around and emptying the traps of dead slugs on a semi-regular basis; and this method also captures and drowns beneficial predatory ground beetles. I've also found that corrugated cardboard laid on the ground is favored by slugs who hide under it during the day, and can be dispatched. They seem to have an affinity for the corrugated cardboard over any other covering (wooden boards are also effective, but less so). Of course, it needs to remain at least minimally moist under the cardboard to be useful as a trap. Not attractive, but *is* effective. Since I use only organic methods in all aspects on my property, I do use a slug bait that is certified (OMRI) organic. The brand I use is 'Sluggo' - available at most nurseries and seasonably at local Costco(s). The active ingredient is iron phosphate. It is claimed to be nonpoisonous to all other creatures and this has been my experience. Unfortunately, it is inadvertently also an expensive mouse and bird food - although it does not harm them, nor my cat who eats the mice. A note: 'Sluggo Plus' *does *contain spinosad (also certified as organic), which helps control earwigs, cutworms, and sow bugs, but also is poisonous to other non-targeted insects, including honeybees that might come in contact with it on the ground. Regarding geophytes and slugs - slugs do eat the flowers of Galanthus and Narcissus, but usually leave the leaves alone. To my surprise, and dismay, slugs do favor the leaves and flowers of amaryllids. Ditto for Tulipa, and less so on Crocus and irids. This year's extended, hot, dry weather has caused an unusually high population of spider mites on many plants, including some not usually affected by this pest. If you've made it this far in this email, it is further than I would have made. Best wishes to all for a prodigious gardening season. Mike Western Washington, cool mediterranean > _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… Unsubscribe: <mailto:pbs-unsubscribe@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> PBS Forum https://…