How can I stop the slugs from eating my hostas?
I have a small dog, so I cannot use slug baits. I have tried picking the slugs off at night, but some of them are so tiny that I can barely see them. My hosta leaves are looking more and more ragged. — L., e-mail M.B.: Ammonia and water to the rescue! Baby slugs are hard to lure with baits (even those safe for pets) because they stick close to the host plant. However, if you spray these tiny slugs with a mixture of one-third ammonia and two-thirds water, you will see them fall from the leaves of your hosta plants right before your eyes! You will have to use this slime-busting spray at night or on a rainy day when the slugs are feeding, because the spray must contact the skin of the slugs (it melts those wicked slugs just as if they carried broomsticks). Ammonia and water convert to nitrogen, so you’ll be feeding your hostas at the same time. This dose of nitrogen is too strong for tender seedlings and some ferns, but works great on hostas, daylilies and iris. For larger slugs, there a
