They're not to everyone's tastes and some gardeners might consider them their worst enemies. I know one of my neighbours hates them with a passion. He patrols his lawn and plucks the dandelion flowers from their stalks before disposing of them carefully. For slugs, he has devised an even more ruthless strategy: he collects them in a bucket and empties the hapless contents onto the road outside our houses so that they get run over!I see slugs and dandelions differently. Goldfinches adore dandelion seeds, and for me that's enough to make me look upon them favourably.
Because of the cheerful yellow flowers (which I secretly like), I can stand at the kitchen window as some of my favourite birds feed just a few feet away. They soon munch their way through a dandelion head and leave a scattering of down on the grass - minus the seeds. It's unquestionable that slugs are unpleasant creatures, but I've forgiven them this year. The reason? A pair of song thrushes has built a nest in my (slug-hating) neighbour's garden. When I look out of the window, there's often a beautifully-spotted thrush hopping across the lawn with a beak crammed full of tiny slugs in the manner of a puffin carrying sand-eels. I'm proud that my slug-filled garden is keeping song thrush chicks fed, and I like watching the goldfinches making short work of the dandelions. Rather than worrying about how to get rid of these pests, I'm hoping that the birds will do the hard work for me...
Thanks Katie.....sorry about delay in reply....I have been 'living' with the Loch Garten Osprey Family and have become so caught up in their daily routine that the rest of the world does not exist at the moment!!!!!
Thank you for your advice re slugs...I have submitted question for expert advice.
"Birds of a Feather".... ~( :o )
Hi Maureen. Thanks for your comment. I can't think of any reasons why the biscuits could harm whatever eats the slugs. Slug pellets can cause problems, though. You can get lots more wildlife gardening advice in our Homes for Wildlife project and the Advice pages, or you can Ask an Expert.
I like dandelions and slugs too....indeed most of the wildflowers, I have always thought,
are much prettier than our 'cultivated celebrity status' flowers...not to mention the high prices!!! On a sunny day, a field of the lovely yellow heads which, close up, look like miniature chrysanthemums can be stunning. As for the slugs I like them.....more providing a plentiful supply of food for our feathered friends.
Which leads me to a serious topic....I discovered that slugs adore eating my cat's left over biscuits...last year after a shower of rain, the slugs came out, and the left overs had circles of parents and 'babies' munching and enjoying their 'find'...I started putting some out for them!!!!! (have stopped meantime).
HELP QUESTION!!!! WILL THE BISCUITS IN TURN HARM BIRDS AND OTHER SLUG EATING CREATURES. I know this is your busiest time of year but would appreciate answer ASAP. Never mind 'Aren't Birds Brilliant'...which they are...so is RSPB and all the Teams.