Slugging it Out -The Scourge of the Slimes
We were contacted by a reader who was having a terrible time with slugs taking up residence in his cellar. He wanted our advice on the best and safest method or eradicating the nuisance. We were only too happy to oblige and we thought it might be useful information for our wider audience, so here it is!
Sluggish they ain’t
Slugs are tricky little critters and can actually squeeze through some very small spaces due to their lack of bones. Even in a closed cellar they can get in between door jams, under doors, through cracks in the walls or through drains that are not covered by a tight mesh.
Once they are in they can hide in small places. Slugs love beer and they are attracted to it (which is why it is commonly used as a very effective slug trap in gardens). Once they take up residence they can be very difficult to shift.
Showing them the Door
The best way to keep the spineless wonders out is to make sure the floor is spotlessly clean. If there is a spillage, clean it up immediately and don’t allow it to dry. Any beer in waste containers from bleeding fobs etc. should be disposed of immediately.
To start with, try to fill in any holes or cracks in the cellar wall and fit a tight mesh over your sump/drains. The next thing to do is discourage them from entering in other locations. Fit a copper strip along floor underneath doors and hatches (the slug’s slime causes a chemical reaction and causes a mild electric shock). You can pick up self-adhesive copper tape relatively cheaply from your local garden centre.
Next up, make some slug traps and use a sweet drink like cola or beer to trap and kill any that are already living hidden in the cellar.
- Top Tip!
Avoid the use of slug pellets as these are toxic and you could be in breach of H&S and Food Hygiene Standards legislation.
If you have any questions about any aspect of cellar and bar hygiene and management, Just Ask CellarCraft
Download the entire CellarCraft guide