Slugs are a problem for many gardeners, but here in Hawaii they’re an exceptional problem. Not only do they damage crops, they transmit something called rat lung disease. It’s a rare* disease and one that is still being studied, but the general consensus is that accidental ingestion of tiny slugs (ick!) is bad, as is ingesting raw produce that’s been slimed by slugs. I’ve been working on a “slug protocol” that will rid the garden of these slimy pests without the added risk of poisons. While it doesn’t eliminate the slugs, I start by growing my lettuce in containers – often hanging containers – to keep slugs off the salad greens we eat raw. I’ve started going on weekly slug hunts. (Psst! Hey, who’s the nut job out there in pajamas wearing a headlamp??) No, it’s not glamorous. In fact, it’s pretty gross. But since I’ve implemented this plan I’ve seen a huge reduction in how many slugs I catch in a night. I go out after dark with the aforementioned headlamp (PJs optional), a container with about an inch of either vinegar or salt in the bottom, and wooden chopsticks. As I spot slugs, I use the chopsticks...
