In article >,
flitterbit > wrote:

> I hate cabbage worms; I had an infestation on a broccoli crop once and
> looked out one morning to see sparrows picking them off!

I envy you your sparrows. ;-)

>
> You can also deal with cabbage worms by using floating row cover. It's
> a non-woven fabric that you drape over the row of vegetables you want to
> protect; not so useful if you require insect pollination and it also of
> course hides the vegetables from view, but it does keep away the pests.

I don't need broccoli or chard pollinated. <g> I'll have to try that, so
long as it does not act as a greenhouse and cooks them?

>
> The copper works a treat; it must be real copper, though; I gather
> there's a chemical reaction between the slug's slime and the copper that
> gives the slug a shock of sorts.

I've read the same works for snails.

>
> You can also use crushed eggshells; apparently the sharp edges cut the
> slugs' bodies so they won't cross an eggshell barrier. Diatomaceous
> earth works, but is hazardous to all wildlife and pets (sharp-edged
> powder that damages lungs if inhaled) so I don't use it and don't
> recommend it. I've heard of folks who go out after dark with a
> flashlight and a pair of scissors, but I'm not *that* keen! Another
> trick is to lay a board on the ground; apparently slugs will seek out
> the shelter of the underside and be relatively easy to pick off. I've
> never tried this myself so have no idea how effective it is.

Beer works too. :-) Especially a bit of dark ale.
--
Peace! Om

"Any ship can be a minesweeper. Once." -- Anonymous