Expert: Mike Mascio - 6/12/2007

Question
I have something attacking my impatients that I have planted in window boxes.  It looks like something scraped along the stems and leaves a scare and then the stems break and die.  Please help.  

Answer
Gail, based on your description, it sounds like slugs. There are many prescribed ways to control snails and slugs. They are are especially destructive throughout the spring months due to the cool and damp conditions.  I have tried every control available over the years, including beer traps, diatomaceous earth, homemade traps, and copper. I must admit that I had moderate success with the beer, but it would evaporate each day and got expensive to maintain.  

I am happy to say that I've finally discovered an effective deterrent. It is a product sold by a company named Gardens Alive, and is called Escar-Go. The active ingredient is iron phosphate which causes the slugs to stop feeding and eventually die. Although it is a pesticide, it is organic, and is therefore non-toxic to humans and pets. It also stays active and solid even after a heavy rain. Just sprinkle small amounts around each plant, and reapply every 10 days. In case you're interested, click on the attached website and search for Escar-Go.  

http://www.gardensalive.com  

Two other organic controls are Worry-Free and Sluggo. Both can be purchased at most garden centers or nurseries.  If you don't mind using chemicals, you can purchase several slug controls in local department stores or garden centers. They all use an active ingredient called Methaldahyde. It is resistant to rain and lasts up to two weeks.  Regardless of which control you choose, it will take up to 10 days before the slug population subsides.  

I hope this answered your question. Please write again if I can ever be of assistance.  

Regards,  

Mike