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Snails, Slugs, Hedgehogs etc.
Hi,
Probably an old Chestnut but am new to this N.G. Could someone please advise if hedgehogs should be encouraged or discouraged in the garden. Also what is the role of the snail and slug ? Thank you in anticipation, Happppppppppppppppy Everythings, LenBo, Weston-SUPER-Mare |
We don't have hedgehogs where I am (that I know of) in Houston but I believe
they eat bugs mostly. Not sure if they eat plants or not. The only role that I know of for the slug or snail is to munch on the plants and buds you most like. Sluggo is a good remedy for them, although it may take more than one treatment. Sluggo is also pet friendly. Personally I would leave the hedgehog alone and kill off the slugs and snails. Unless I heard right and hedgehogs eat those too. Shell "St. George" St. wrote in message ... Hi, Probably an old Chestnut but am new to this N.G. Could someone please advise if hedgehogs should be encouraged or discouraged in the garden. Also what is the role of the snail and slug ? Thank you in anticipation, Happppppppppppppppy Everythings, LenBo, Weston-SUPER-Mare --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.762 / Virus Database: 510 - Release Date: 9/14/2004 |
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St. George wrote:
:: Hi, :: :: Probably an old Chestnut but am new to this N.G. :: :: Could someone please advise if hedgehogs should be encouraged or :: discouraged in the garden. Encouraged, they sniff out slugs and snails..their snouts are perfectly shaped to rummage through leaf litter and foilage to get them out. :: :: Also what is the role of the snail and slug ? :: Primarily to eat shoots, leaves and roots, although we have some very large (about the size of a man's thumb)slugs around here which don't seem to bother with plants at all, I've seen them eating discarded food such as sweets, ice cream, chocolates and biscuits etc, even bread and meat (we have a few large families nearby - their kids are forever dropping food in the street) does anyone know what these things are?...they are almost always bright orange but occasionally black. (newsgroups trimmed) |
Mannnnnnny thanks for your interesting and prompt response.
Thanks a bunch. However would prefer not to use pellets as I would not wish anything similar to happen to me. Remember the old West Country (English) saying:- Take care of yourselves, and take care of each other. Happppppy Everythings, LenBo "St. George" St. wrote in message ... Hi, Probably an old Chestnut but am new to this N.G. Could someone please advise if hedgehogs should be encouraged or discouraged in the garden. Also what is the role of the snail and slug ? Thank you in anticipation, Happppppppppppppppy Everythings, LenBo, Weston-SUPER-Mare |
St George wrote ".......Probably an old Chestnut but am new to this
N.G. .........." Which one? You are multiple posting. -- David Hill Abacus nurseries www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk |
David Hill wrote:
:: St George wrote ".......Probably an old Chestnut but am new :: to this N.G. .........." :: :: Which one? :: You are multiple posting. :: As have all others who replied....except one. :-p |
In article uViCr8LlbtmJ-pn2-udOV900dMXzb@poblano, "Stan Goodman"
wrote: A slug is a naked snail. Ha-cha-cha-cha. -- "Of what are you afraid, my child?" inquired the kindly teacher. "Oh, sir! The flowers, they are wild," replied the timid creature. -from Peter Newell's "Wild Flowers" Visit the Garden of Paghat the Ratgirl: http://www.paghat.com |
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On Thu, 7 Oct 2004 20:03:38 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote: "St. George" St. wrote in message ... Hi, Probably an old Chestnut but am new to this N.G. Could someone please advise if hedgehogs should be encouraged or discouraged in the garden. Yes, if there are no dogs in the garden Dog's don't seem to be a problem - I've got two, and plenty of hedgehogs. Admittedly they're small dogs ( terriers ), but the chap just up the lane has four big dogs, and he still has hedgehogs. Dogs seem to be attracted by the smell ( as opposed to the movement..of which there's not usually a lot ), and seem quite happy to sniff, bark and tentatively prod the hedgehog...the latter being something they only do a couple of times before the message sinks in. The hedgehog just rolls itself up and contemplates its navel. Regards, -- Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations www.shwoodwind.co.uk Emails to: showard{whoisat}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk |
On Thu, 7 Oct 2004 19:31:58 +0100, "St. George" St.
wrote: Hi, Probably an old Chestnut but am new to this N.G. Could someone please advise if hedgehogs should be encouraged or discouraged in the garden. Always a safe bet to encourage them - and you can do so by feeding them. A small plate of cat food is ideal, and to prevent other animals from scoffing it, place another plate or a lid of some sort over the food. This tends to dissuade most other animals - but the hog will just barge right in ( and probably thank you for the meal by crapping on the plate... so don't use the Denby ). They're wide-ranging in their foraging habits, so you won't have exclusive use of their services. It can be fun to mark them in some fashion to monitor their foraging habits - use acrylic paint ( from any artist supply shop ) to daub a number on the back of the hog. It's a water based paint, and won't harm the hog. Also what is the role of the snail and slug ? They eat stuff. You can pretty much regard all snails as bad news - but not all slugs are that nasty. Quite a few of them dine on dead matter, particularly the larger ones. From my own experience, the ones to watch are the little black ones with the orange sole...these will burrow through anything en masse. Likewise the small, slimy cream coloured jobby. There are several methods of control, but the two I find most effective are getting out there at night with a torch and picking them off ( this will also give you the chance to observe the hedgehogs at work, and plenty more that goes on in the dark ) - and covered areas ( using tiles or carpet etc ) under which the slugs and snails will crawl to rest. Just lift the covering and pick 'em off. This will also encourage ground beetles and , if you're lucky, slow worms. You might have to spend a week doing this, but it will decimate the population to such an extent that a weekly patrol will probably be adequate. Don't forget to check that you have some sort of flat, hard surface around....for the Thrushes to use as an anvil to smash snail shells. I find they prefer somewhere slightly raised and unobscured by surrounding plants...presumably so they can keep an eye out for predators. Regards, -- Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations www.shwoodwind.co.uk Emails to: showard{whoisat}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk |
On Thu, 07 Oct 2004 19:05:27 GMT, Shell wrote:
The only role that I know of for the slug or snail is to munch on the plants and buds you most like And all the stuff in the compost heap too. Which is good. They also attract other wildlife - like hedgehogs - which also eat other "baddies". -- Tim C. |
In article , Phil L
writes St. George wrote: :: Also what is the role of the snail and slug ? :: Primarily to eat shoots, leaves and roots, also generally clearing up rotting debris and some even eat other slugs although we have some very large (about the size of a man's thumb)slugs around here which don't seem to bother with plants at all, I've seen them eating discarded food such as sweets, ice cream, chocolates and biscuits etc, even bread and meat (we have a few large families nearby - their kids are forever dropping food in the street) does anyone know what these things are?...they are almost always bright orange but occasionally black. Arion ater? -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
Stephen Howard wrote in
: On Thu, 7 Oct 2004 20:03:38 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann" wrote: "St. George" St. wrote in message ... Hi, Probably an old Chestnut but am new to this N.G. Could someone please advise if hedgehogs should be encouraged or discouraged in the garden. Yes, if there are no dogs in the garden Dog's don't seem to be a problem - I've got two, and plenty of hedgehogs. Admittedly they're small dogs ( terriers ), but the chap just up the lane has four big dogs, and he still has hedgehogs. Depends on the dog. We once had a collie x labrador that had a thing for hedgehogs and would crunch them up spines and all. He was totally cat and rabbit safe, but you really had to watch him in the mornings and early evenings when the hedgehogs were about. Victoria -- gardening on a north-facing hill in South-East Cornwall -- |
paghat wrote:
In article uViCr8LlbtmJ-pn2-udOV900dMXzb@poblano, "Stan Goodman" wrote: A slug is a naked snail. Ha-cha-cha-cha. Whatever turns you on. |
The message
from "Phil L" contains these words: David Hill wrote: :: St George wrote ".......Probably an old Chestnut but am new :: to this N.G. .........." :: :: Which one? :: You are multiple posting. :: As have all others who replied....except one. And as a result have all fallen into my spamtrap... -- Rusty Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar. http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ |
On Fri, 08 Oct 2004 10:36:52 +0100, Victoria Clare
wrote: Stephen Howard wrote in : On Thu, 7 Oct 2004 20:03:38 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann" wrote: "St. George" St. wrote in message ... Hi, Probably an old Chestnut but am new to this N.G. Could someone please advise if hedgehogs should be encouraged or discouraged in the garden. Yes, if there are no dogs in the garden Dog's don't seem to be a problem - I've got two, and plenty of hedgehogs. Admittedly they're small dogs ( terriers ), but the chap just up the lane has four big dogs, and he still has hedgehogs. Depends on the dog. We once had a collie x labrador that had a thing for hedgehogs and would crunch them up spines and all. He was totally cat and rabbit safe, but you really had to watch him in the mornings and early evenings when the hedgehogs were about. You sure that was a dog?? No scales...long tail...BIG teeth?? ;) Regards, -- Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations www.shwoodwind.co.uk Emails to: showard{whoisat}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk |
Stephen Howard wrote:
[...] There are several methods of control, but the two I find most effective are getting out there at night with a torch and picking them off [...] Good quote from my youngest daughter, then about five, on one of these nocturnal slug forays: "Dad, Dad, quick! Thith ith a fatht one!" Not yer average sluggish slug! Mike. |
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"Stan Goodman" wrote in message news:uViCr8LlbtmJ-pn2-xGzwb8So2ZUw@poblano... On Thu, 7 Oct 2004 23:17:41 UTC, (paghat) opined: In article uViCr8LlbtmJ-pn2-udOV900dMXzb@poblano, "Stan Goodman" wrote: A slug is a naked snail. Ha-cha-cha-cha. That's exactly what a slug is. The only difference between the two is the shell. Whether that qualifies slugs to appear in rec.gardens.EDIBLE is a question I can't answer. Well... a slug is EDIBLE, and can be found in your garden. Ray |
"Mike Lyle" wrote in message ... Stephen Howard wrote: [...] There are several methods of control, but the two I find most effective are getting out there at night with a torch and picking them off [...] Good quote from my youngest daughter, then about five, on one of these nocturnal slug forays: "Dad, Dad, quick! Thith ith a fatht one!" Not yer average sluggish slug! Aw bless :0) She must have found one of those rare racing slugs.Latin name Arkleus redrummidus |
In article , "Ray Drouillard"
wrote: "Stan Goodman" wrote in message news:uViCr8LlbtmJ-pn2-xGzwb8So2ZUw@poblano... On Thu, 7 Oct 2004 23:17:41 UTC, (paghat) opined: In article uViCr8LlbtmJ-pn2-udOV900dMXzb@poblano, "Stan Goodman" wrote: A slug is a naked snail. Ha-cha-cha-cha. That's exactly what a slug is. The only difference between the two is the shell. Whether that qualifies slugs to appear in rec.gardens.EDIBLE is a question I can't answer. Well... a slug is EDIBLE, and can be found in your garden. Ray Recipe for Slug Fritters: http://bertc.com/slug_fritters.htm There's actually a cookbook called BEST WASHINGTON SLUG RECIPES (1983) but it's out of print, alas. And of course slugs go good with worms: http://www.naturewatch.ca/english/wo...l/recipes.html http://bertc.com/natural.htm -paghat the ratgirl -- "Of what are you afraid, my child?" inquired the kindly teacher. "Oh, sir! The flowers, they are wild," replied the timid creature. -from Peter Newell's "Wild Flowers" Visit the Garden of Paghat the Ratgirl: http://www.paghat.com |
Hedgehogs do eat snails and slugs then? I wasn't sure. I think I need
several in my back yard. Shell "Tim Challenger" wrote in message news:1097216153.Ph8+07aAfr/eaSgOetYw2w@teranews... On Thu, 07 Oct 2004 19:05:27 GMT, Shell wrote: The only role that I know of for the slug or snail is to munch on the plants and buds you most like And all the stuff in the compost heap too. Which is good. They also attract other wildlife - like hedgehogs - which also eat other "baddies". -- Tim C. --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.762 / Virus Database: 510 - Release Date: 9/13/2004 |
On Fri, 8 Oct 2004 14:28:18 UTC, "Ray Drouillard"
opined: "Stan Goodman" wrote in message news:uViCr8LlbtmJ-pn2-xGzwb8So2ZUw@poblano... On Thu, 7 Oct 2004 23:17:41 UTC, (paghat) opined: In article uViCr8LlbtmJ-pn2-udOV900dMXzb@poblano, "Stan Goodman" wrote: A slug is a naked snail. Ha-cha-cha-cha. That's exactly what a slug is. The only difference between the two is the shell. Whether that qualifies slugs to appear in rec.gardens.EDIBLE is a question I can't answer. Well... a slug is EDIBLE, and can be found in your garden. Thank you; now I know. Please feel free to help yourself. -- Stan Goodman Qiryat Tiv'on Israel Saddam is gone. Ceterum, censeo Arafat esse delendam. |
"Stephen Howard" wrote in message ... On Thu, 7 Oct 2004 20:03:38 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann" wrote: "St. George" St. wrote in message ... Hi, Probably an old Chestnut but am new to this N.G. Could someone please advise if hedgehogs should be encouraged or discouraged in the garden. Yes, if there are no dogs in the garden Dog's don't seem to be a problem - I've got two, and plenty of hedgehogs. Admittedly they're small dogs ( terriers ), but the chap just up the lane has four big dogs, and he still has hedgehogs. Dogs seem to be attracted by the smell ( as opposed to the movement..of which there's not usually a lot ), and seem quite happy to sniff, bark and tentatively prod the hedgehog...the latter being something they only do a couple of times before the message sinks in. The hedgehog just rolls itself up and contemplates its navel. This is good news. I reported in the way I did because when I enquired from a hedgehog sanctuary whether they have any hedgehoga to spare, they stipulated that they would only let them go to folks with completely enclosed gardens and no dogs. Franz Regards, -- Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations www.shwoodwind.co.uk Emails to: showard{whoisat}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk |
"Stephen Howard" wrote in message ... [snip] You might have to spend a week doing this, but it will decimate the population to such an extent that a weekly patrol will probably be adequate. There is only one extent to which a population can be decimated, namely to kill off one in every ten. That leaves 90% fighting fit. {:-(( Franz |
"Stan Goodman" wrote in message news:uViCr8LlbtmJ-pn2-dZ8d2UFWwjFE@poblano... On Fri, 8 Oct 2004 14:28:18 UTC, "Ray Drouillard" opined: "Stan Goodman" wrote in message news:uViCr8LlbtmJ-pn2-xGzwb8So2ZUw@poblano... On Thu, 7 Oct 2004 23:17:41 UTC, (paghat) opined: In article uViCr8LlbtmJ-pn2-udOV900dMXzb@poblano, "Stan Goodman" wrote: A slug is a naked snail. Ha-cha-cha-cha. That's exactly what a slug is. The only difference between the two is the shell. Whether that qualifies slugs to appear in rec.gardens.EDIBLE is a question I can't answer. Well... a slug is EDIBLE, and can be found in your garden. Thank you; now I know. Please feel free to help yourself. Sorry. Snails are unclean. Ray |
Hedgehogs should be encouraged as they are the gardeners friend, they eat
bugs etc. Snails and slugs I am not so sure of. We encourage and feed hedgehogs, the same as lace wings they do a lot of good in the garden and as much as possible we plant herbs and flowers such as marigolds that discourage insects rather then using insecticides. Enjoy your garden and the wild life that goes with it. pam "St. George" St. wrote in message ... Hi, Probably an old Chestnut but am new to this N.G. Could someone please advise if hedgehogs should be encouraged or discouraged in the garden. Also what is the role of the snail and slug ? Thank you in anticipation, Happppppppppppppppy Everythings, LenBo, Weston-SUPER-Mare |
On Fri, 8 Oct 2004 21:46:31 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote: "Stephen Howard" wrote in message Dogs seem to be attracted by the smell ( as opposed to the movement..of which there's not usually a lot ), and seem quite happy to sniff, bark and tentatively prod the hedgehog...the latter being something they only do a couple of times before the message sinks in. The hedgehog just rolls itself up and contemplates its navel. This is good news. I reported in the way I did because when I enquired from a hedgehog sanctuary whether they have any hedgehoga to spare, they stipulated that they would only let them go to folks with completely enclosed gardens and no dogs. Presumably such animals that turn up in a sanctuary have suffered some sort of physical trauma - hence the need for the defence of an enclosed garden...which is certainly and most definitely not the hedgehog's natural environment. I suspect too that such places are, quite rightly, somewhat cautious about well-meaning Joe Publics ringing up asking for a brace of hogs for the garden. In any event, it's entirely possible to train dogs to leave hedgehogs alone ( should they not be discouraged by its considerable defences ). Regards, -- Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk Emails to: showard{who is at}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk |
On Fri, 8 Oct 2004 21:46:31 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote: "Stephen Howard" wrote in message .. . [snip] You might have to spend a week doing this, but it will decimate the population to such an extent that a weekly patrol will probably be adequate. There is only one extent to which a population can be decimated, namely to kill off one in every ten. That leaves 90% fighting fit. {:-(( There's always one... http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~brians/errors/decimate.html Regards, -- Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk Emails to: showard{who is at}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk |
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"Stephen Howard" wrote in message ... On Fri, 8 Oct 2004 21:46:31 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann" wrote: "Stephen Howard" wrote in message Dogs seem to be attracted by the smell ( as opposed to the movement..of which there's not usually a lot ), and seem quite happy to sniff, bark and tentatively prod the hedgehog...the latter being something they only do a couple of times before the message sinks in. The hedgehog just rolls itself up and contemplates its navel. This is good news. I reported in the way I did because when I enquired from a hedgehog sanctuary whether they have any hedgehoga to spare, they stipulated that they would only let them go to folks with completely enclosed gardens and no dogs. Presumably such animals that turn up in a sanctuary have suffered some sort of physical trauma - hence the need for the defence of an enclosed garden...which is certainly and most definitely not the hedgehog's natural environment. I suspect too that such places are, quite rightly, somewhat cautious about well-meaning Joe Publics ringing up asking for a brace of hogs for the garden. In any event, it's entirely possible to train dogs to leave hedgehogs alone ( should they not be discouraged by its considerable defences ). My problem is that, although we have no dogs, our garden is not completely enclosed. I presume that that means the hogs could wander out and into dangerous regions. Franz |
"Ray Drouillard" wrote in message ... "Stan Goodman" wrote in message news:uViCr8LlbtmJ-pn2-dZ8d2UFWwjFE@poblano... On Fri, 8 Oct 2004 14:28:18 UTC, "Ray Drouillard" opined: "Stan Goodman" wrote in message news:uViCr8LlbtmJ-pn2-xGzwb8So2ZUw@poblano... On Thu, 7 Oct 2004 23:17:41 UTC, (paghat) opined: In article uViCr8LlbtmJ-pn2-udOV900dMXzb@poblano, "Stan Goodman" wrote: A slug is a naked snail. Ha-cha-cha-cha. That's exactly what a slug is. The only difference between the two is the shell. Whether that qualifies slugs to appear in rec.gardens.EDIBLE is a question I can't answer. Well... a slug is EDIBLE, and can be found in your garden. Thank you; now I know. Please feel free to help yourself. Sorry. Snails are unclean. What does "unclean" mean? If I understand it correctly, edible snails are fed on bran or suchlike for a couple of days before being dished up at a meal. Franz |
"Stephen Howard" wrote in message ... On Fri, 8 Oct 2004 21:46:31 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann" wrote: "Stephen Howard" wrote in message .. . [snip] You might have to spend a week doing this, but it will decimate the population to such an extent that a weekly patrol will probably be adequate. There is only one extent to which a population can be decimated, namely to kill off one in every ten. That leaves 90% fighting fit. {:-(( There's always one... http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~brians/errors/decimate.html Interesting. I suppose it is futile to think that words may retain their definitions when there are so many ignorant wordsmiths bandying them about. Franz |
"Pam Croxton" wrote in message ... Hedgehogs should be encouraged as they are the gardeners friend, they eat bugs etc. Snails and slugs I am not so sure of. We encourage and feed hedgehogs, How do you do that? [snip] Franz |
In article , Franz Heymann
writes This is good news. I reported in the way I did because when I enquired from a hedgehog sanctuary whether they have any hedgehoga to spare, they stipulated that they would only let them go to folks with completely enclosed gardens and no dogs. That sounds crazy! Hedgehogs roam a long way over a night - I can't imagine that it's in their interests to confine them to a single garden. -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
The message
from Janet Baraclough.. contains these words: We had a dog who befriended sheep, rabbits and baby chickens and pheasants, and generally behaved like St Francis of Assisi..until he discovered hedgehogs. He was a hedgehog killing machine :-( Clever dog. Probably knew about the hedgehog's penchant for noshing birds' eggs. And if you think hedgehogs can't climb... While they are very useful in noshing molluscs, in my book they're almost as big a pest as the tree rat. However, I say almost - I do make a very tasty tree-rat pie, but I tolerate hedgehogs ambling about the garden. Just. -- Rusty Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar. http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ |
The message
from Stephen Howard contains these words: On Fri, 8 Oct 2004 21:46:31 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann" wrote: "Stephen Howard" wrote in message .. . [snip] You might have to spend a week doing this, but it will decimate the population to such an extent that a weekly patrol will probably be adequate. There is only one extent to which a population can be decimated, namely to kill off one in every ten. That leaves 90% fighting fit. {:-(( There's always one... http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~brians/errors/decimate.html Well, you seem to be it. Franz is quite (in the proper meaning of the word) correct. Indeed, I should say that his reply was nice... I suppose you give *EVERYTHING* you read on the WWW total credence? -- Rusty Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar. http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ |
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