Slug-Free Bug Traps

[Kenobi]

Does anyone here know how to keep slugs away from Pitfall Traps?
I've set one up in my back garden as a little experiment. However, all that seems to be getting in are slugs.

Yesterday, I used strawberries as bait. When I checked on the trap this morning, it was filled with dozens of slugs. All different sizes and colours of slugs, but not exactly the variety of critters I was hoping for.

I emptied the trap and reset it earlier this evening, this time with a bottle cap of sugar and water as bait. Again, when I went to check on it later, all I found were a couple of slugs on the walls of the trap.

Rather than take the trap out, I decided to add a small piece of raw bacon to the trap. Hopefully when I go back tomorrow morning to check on it, I'll have some little carrion eaters in there.

Anyway, does anyone know how to successfully keep slugs/snails away from the trap? Also, any ideas on differents baits to catch different things would be awesome

 

[sparular]

You could make a salt barrier to keep out the slugs. The insects should be able to walk over a circle of salt, but the slugs will avoid it if its thick enough.

bacon might be a bad choice since it's cured and smoky, but that's just a guess.

Lots of insects really dig fermenting fruit. You can take banana (or other friuts), sugar, and add some yeast. That should attract some beetles. Beer works as well.

Let us know what you get. And post some pics of your trap if you can.

 

[Louise E. Rothstein]

Rain ruins salt barriers.
Prickly barriers may do better.

So may changing your baits.
Slugs LOVE strawberries...and they LOVE BEER.
What do your prospective insects enjoy...that slugs don't?

Hint No. 1: What do you see them eating...?

Hint No. 2: Do they feed in DRIER surroundings than slugs...?

And, hint No. 3: Do they like some hot sun...?

Your pit may need to be moved before rebaiting will work.
And it may need to be moved in both space and time because
many insects are already becoming dormant.

Keep these notes for next year.

Better luck next time.