organic slug control with snakes - permaculture!

[DamiettadCarnivalle]

I can personally testify to the fact that Mallard and Black Ducks will eat slugs until their bills are glued shut.

Seriously, there is not much that is as funny as the sight of a line of ducks trying to quack with their beaks glued shut with slug slime.

[brendanmcwilliams]

Something interesting in Britain is that they have no dangerous species. Likely from intentional extinction over the thousands of years it was occupied. The most dangerous animals are foxes.

Ironically, the biggest thing stopping America to be able to go with more organic options is the fact that unwanted species will flock to areas practicing "eco-system" type of farming.

[brendanmcwilliams]

That works only in specific areas. Where I lived so far (California and Texas), you can guarantee poisonous snakes all over your property (rattlesnakes, copperheads, water mochasins, etc) and a shorter lifespan for your kids or pets.

[ARTLKING]

I like snakes.

[Zcrazynutman]

Skunks are cute furry slug eaters also

[TheDarjeelingZen]

Pretty neat idea. I think I like the idea of ducks eating slugs better. Snakes might also eat beneficial insects, but I don't know. Snakes would be fine though.

[AlabasterXnight]

Don't ducks eat slugs? Aren't ducks more edible than snakes?

[FELONIOUS12]

WTH's wrong with salt?? Yeah, let's house snakes!! Garter's aren't bad but soon they'll multiply and you'll want something to control THEM and then... THEN the next thing you know you'll be importing mongoose etc... LOL!!

[jeramyfishel]

makes me want to move back to Seattle. Miss those snakes.

[hastingr]

awesome solution!

[vutEwa]

I have a real aversion to snakes (who doesn't?) but Paul you have successfully gotten me to think again about the benefits of those detestable creatures! hehe

[meson537]

@vutEwa Snakes are awesome. I have never felt they are detestable in the least. What makes them detestable to you? They are shy, curious, and, in my opinion, beautiful.

[vutEwa]

@meson537 if you say so, but not for me

[ChizzyQuiz]

I always look forward to your videos Paul. This is a great video which will really help me. I am going to build a rock pile for snake habitat. I have seen garter snakes here on my Wester WA property 4 times in the last 6 years (twice swimming in our large pond). Very Nice!

[Cannibalriot]

Our chickens love slugs.

[Ryuuken24]

Chicken eat slugs too, so I hear, if you train them to.

[nedeljkomostar]

Living in a harmony with snakes is amazing. But back where I came from we have lots of Venomous snakes and this wouldn't apply in there...

[GrdnovGreens]

If there was a way to only have garters then I'd be all for this, but here in Central Texas those rock piles would be a haven for rattlers, copper heads and coral snakes. With kids, inviting in snakes isn't something I'd like to do ;) Great idea though and good to hear that it's working!

[RonRay]

I agree with Jacqueline (the lady at the beginning), rocky areas are conducive to garter and other snakes. The rocks hold heat from the sun throughout the evening and night.

Trouble is... where you have an increase in one snake, you sometimes increase other species and sub-species; such as rattlers and copperheads (for us in the south east US). Do you have many poisonous snakes in the north west US?

[ShotgunAndAShovel]

Such a wonderful video!

[MatthewCravatt]

Paw Paw taught us the difference between good and bad (venomous) snakes from an early age. An organic gardener before it was popular, he never cared to put poison on his food. Therefore, he saw to it that us kids knew beneficial snakes, insects and companion planting. How is it that his generation knew so much about such things, and in the span of one generation, we are struggling to relearn the same stuff. If I could only talk to Paw Paw one more time he could help us on Indian Country Farms.

[SleestaksRule]

Worms that think.  Sort of.

[ahnamay]

I love Rick Valley's comments about the bugs that eat slug eggs, too. I had a huge invasion of the baby slugs in my container garden last year and I could have used some of those beetles!

[13anjowizard]

kill all snakes!

[beadella1958]

From what I have seen in other videos, chickens think slugs are gourmet fare, and you get eggs in the bargain.............sounds like an even better deal than snakes!!!