Fun Thing to do while figs are dormant

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snaglpus

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Posts: 4,072

Posted 1418260261	Reply with quote #1

Yesterday, I found a few more trees to bring inside. Every night, I seek slugs to kill to keep them from chewing on y figs. To assist in my search, I bought this huge light that has tons of LEDs. It is SUPER bright! My garage is insulated and temperatures are well above freezing. The warmth brings out the biggest slugs that I call fish bait! These guys are pretty large. Every few hours, I walk out in my garage and seek slugs. My garage is a 2 car garage but the wife only lets me use my side to store figs. And let me tell ya, I stuff my side full. Depending on the temp in my garage, I water my trees around once or twice a month. When I do, a day or 2 later, the fat daddy slugs come out. Well, 2 nights ago, I went on patrol seeking slugs. I killed 2 using a long thick bamboo stick. But there was one across the other side of the garage out of reach from my stick, about 10 feet away. It wasn't on my tree or a container, it as on the base of the trim above the brick base. In order to reach it, I would have to open the garage door and wiggle around the trees and kill the beast. I did not want to do that! I grabbed my pellet gun and started shooting. My wife came in the garage and asked me what I was doing. I said, shooting Slugs! She said, you are crazy! On the third shot, the slug was blown away! HA HA! SUCCESS!!!!! Another one bites the dust!!!! I hate slugs and shooting them gives something to do while dormant. __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

jc_figs

Registered:1416095240
Posts: 351

Posted 1418260436	Reply with quote #2

good story made me laugh __________________ Name JAILEN feel free to call me jc ........wish list...... black madeira ,ischia b lack, green ischia, patrics super giant, rdv, negronne, maltese falcon, lsu gold, lsu purple, lsu tiger, lounge d out, golden, celeste, black jack, black mission, brunswick, blue ischia, panache, strawberry latte, armenian, mvsb, col de dame, col de dame grise, col de dame noir, hardy chicago, peters honey, peti negri, unknowns, magnolia, kathleen black, labanese, and any othere except bt, and celeste improved bt or celeste are fine ,cuttings/plants zone 8a goldsboro north carolina. I'm proved Celeste or BT welcome!! figs growing brown turkey celeste and unknown yellow fig

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,724

Posted 1418260836	Reply with quote #3

You need a salt pellet to shoot out of your gun. __________________ Zone 6, MO Wish list: Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.

Ampersand

Registered:1389979527
Posts: 728

Posted 1418260948	Reply with quote #4

I hope you wear your ninja suit when slug hunting!

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,713

Posted 1418261190	Reply with quote #5

Ha! That gave me a laugh. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

Frankallen

Registered:1371842383
Posts: 994

Posted 1418262286	Reply with quote #6

Now that's funny Dennis! I love pellet guns, I have 3 of them! __________________ Frank from Bama- Zone 7-b Alabama .................................................... "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever". Mahatma Gandhi

SoniSoni

Registered:1362273241
Posts: 777

Posted 1418265356	Reply with quote #7

You are AWESOME ! I love it. __________________ Soni GA. 7-8. seeking Galicia Negra, Bianchi Guido, Violette de Sollies, Emerald Strawberry

Elfarach

Registered:1409716614
Posts: 288

Posted 1418265611	Reply with quote #8

HAHA, we all go back to out kid instincts for some fun... __________________ Simon C. So. Cal (El Monte) Zone 10a Wish list: Adriatic JH, Raspberry Latte, Violet de Sollies, Col de Dame Black, Ischia Black, Takoma Violet

dirtguy50

Registered:1398135169
Posts: 256

Posted 1418266286	Reply with quote #9

Excellent story! Only from a fig shuffler. __________________ No, your other left! Zone 6b, Keith in SW Wish List: Violette de Bordeaux & Marsilles Black VS

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1418266481	Reply with quote #10

You have some interesting fig experiences Dennis.

donpaid

Registered:1388952715
Posts: 216

Posted 1418266963	Reply with quote #11

Hahahaha the image of your wife walking into the garage, only to find you blasting slugs away into oblivion with a pellet gun is pure comedy!!! I very much needed that laugh today. Thanks Dennis!

jkuo

Registered:1399944767
Posts: 156

Posted 1418267625	Reply with quote #12

Quote: Originally Posted by rcantor You need a salt pellet to shoot out of your gun. How about using something like the Bug-A-Salt? __________________ Johnny - Lancaster, PA, Zone 6b Plants I'm growing: Google Doc

joann1536

Registered:1409975734
Posts: 274

Posted 1418268143	Reply with quote #13

Too funny!! They must be huge! __________________ USDA Zone 9b Wish list: Abruzzi, Pasquale, Tagliacozzo, Zingarella, Godfather. Any unk Italian, especially from Abruzzo.

Elfarach

Registered:1409716614
Posts: 288

Posted 1418268677	Reply with quote #14

I KNOW WHAT I'M GETTING FOR XMAS!!! Thanks Johnny... __________________ Simon C. So. Cal (El Monte) Zone 10a Wish list: Adriatic JH, Raspberry Latte, Violet de Sollies, Col de Dame Black, Ischia Black, Takoma Violet

cis4elk

Registered:1347840383
Posts: 1,718

Posted 1418269275	Reply with quote #15

Great story, sounds fun! Oooh, I'm getting a bug-a-salt. __________________ Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6 Wants List: For everyone to clean-up after themselves and co-exist peacefully. Let's think more about the future of our planet and less about ourselves. :)

dirtguy50

Registered:1398135169
Posts: 256

Posted 1418269952	Reply with quote #16

I laughed out loud and showed my wife. She said, " well he is a crazy fig maniac." I thought it was a justified action and she just gave me the evil eye and said, " I love you anyway." __________________ No, your other left! Zone 6b, Keith in SW Wish List: Violette de Bordeaux & Marsilles Black VS

needaclone

Registered:1346812939
Posts: 604

Posted 1418271935	Reply with quote #17

Dennis, I wasn't halfway through your problem when I thought "BB Gun!" Great minds think alike. Cheers, Jim __________________ Clarksburg, NJ - Zone 6b Wishlist - A wise man recommended: Nero600M . Malta Black . Tacoma (Takoma) Violet . Gino's . Adriatic JH . Vista Mission . Florea . Atreano . ...also...RdB, Bethlehem Black, Negronne, Grise de St. Jean, Livano, Col de Dame Blanc/Gris/Noir, Vasilika Sika, Longue D'Aout, Italian 258, Pennsylvania 6-5000

saxonfig

Registered:1258080612
Posts: 1,370

Posted 1418277170	Reply with quote #18

Very funny stuff Dennis. My first thought was, why don't you just pour a few trails of salt around the garage to get rid of them? Then it occurred to me - that would just take the fun out of it wouldn't it? Should get your wife to take a picture of you holding up the trophy slug you just killed after a rigorous hunt in the field ;-) . __________________ Fig Well And Prosper! Bill - SW KY. Zone 6b. 36.5N I'm fruitnut on ebay.

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1418307482	Reply with quote #19

The slugs are not coming from the outside. They're coming from the soil of my trees. They come out at night to feed. Last year, I used slug bait and although it worked, if it got wet it would mold causing another problem. So, if I can't reach them, I blow them away with my air rifle. And, my gun isn't a gun.....its a rifle! My air rifle is worth its weight in gold!!! It's one of those heavy wood stock Czech 430 break barrel rifles. I've dropped plenty of animals 60 feet away with it and now, SLUGS! My wife said, she kept hearing a popping sound coming from the garage. She came out and saw me with my baseball cap turned backwards with my gun propped on a fig tree and said, "REALLY, shooting inside the garage now?" "What are you doing?" __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

m5allen

Registered:1378496146
Posts: 153

Posted 1418323961 · Edited	Reply with quote #20

Just be careful and go for the head shot. If you miss, they can be extremely dangerous when provoked. They are like the honey badger of the creepy crawler world. Does your rifle shoot .177 or .22 cal? I have a break-barrel that I wish shot .22 cal. __________________ -Mike Tampa, FL Zone 9b. Growing: Black Madeira, CDDG, Malta Black, VDB, Petite Negra, LSU Purple, Celeste, Battaglia, Alma and Grasa's Unknown Seattle Purple

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1418324889	Reply with quote #21

Mike, it shoots .177 cal. It's pretty accurate! __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

NativeSun

Registered:1399338155
Posts: 178

Posted 1418325901	Reply with quote #22

It is refreshing to know that Im not the only madman on the forum :) Time to break out the Gamo and go slug sniping tonight :) Perhaps we could start a contest of the "longest confirmed kill" heheh __________________ James, North Florida zone 9A

m5allen

Registered:1378496146
Posts: 153

Posted 1418327091	Reply with quote #23

Quote: Originally Posted by NativeSun It is refreshing to know that Im not the only madman on the forum :) Time to break out the Gamo and go slug sniping tonight :) Perhaps we could start a contest of the "longest confirmed kill" heheh Longest confirmed kill in terms of shot distance or slug length? :) __________________ -Mike Tampa, FL Zone 9b. Growing: Black Madeira, CDDG, Malta Black, VDB, Petite Negra, LSU Purple, Celeste, Battaglia, Alma and Grasa's Unknown Seattle Purple

NativeSun

Registered:1399338155
Posts: 178

Posted 1418328386	Reply with quote #24

Distance.... perhaps we could come up with a designation for the size of the beastie like the Boone and Crockett club or the IGFA for fishing... Length Girth Weight in Grams Heck, we could even have "Species records" -- Im sure there is more than one species of American Slug. We could have different "classes" ie: .177 class , .22 class heheh Better be careful and have a loader standing by with a spare rifle - in case you miss or fail to have a "kill shot" -- I hear the "charge" of an enraged slug is quite terrifying...kinda like a tiny Cape Buffalo :) __________________ James, North Florida zone 9A

NativeSun

Registered:1399338155
Posts: 178

Posted 1418328660	Reply with quote #25

Wondering if my taxidermist would mount one... hahahha I gotta quit thinking about this... __________________ James, North Florida zone 9A

m5allen

Registered:1378496146
Posts: 153

Posted 1418329035	Reply with quote #26

Quote: Originally Posted by NativeSun Distance.... perhaps we could come up with a designation for the size of the beastie like the Boone and Crockett club or the IGFA for fishing... Length Girth Weight in Grams Heck, we could even have "Species records" -- Im sure there is more than one species of American Slug. We could have different "classes" ie: .177 class , .22 class heheh Better be careful and have a loader standing by with a spare rifle - in case you miss or fail to have a "kill shot" -- I hear the "charge" of an enraged slug is quite terrifying...kinda like a tiny Cape Buffalo :) The charge is slow, but terrifying nonetheless... I experienced it one time and barely escaped with my life. I have the scars to prove it. I would think you need at least a 6-antenna slug to get it mounted. I am having a blast with this thread. I needed some humor today. __________________ -Mike Tampa, FL Zone 9b. Growing: Black Madeira, CDDG, Malta Black, VDB, Petite Negra, LSU Purple, Celeste, Battaglia, Alma and Grasa's Unknown Seattle Purple

cis4elk

Registered:1347840383
Posts: 1,718

Posted 1418329285	Reply with quote #27

Dennis, do you use slugs for bait? There are only a few things that I haven't tried putting on a hook, and a slug is one of them. Eeesh, that would be like trying to put a hook through somebody's loogie. Very difficult stuff to get off of the hands, slug slime that is, not loogie cause loogie rinses off fairly easy. But there is a big difference between your loogie and someone else's loogie. Is this OT or TMI, I cant tell :) __________________ Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6 Wants List: For everyone to clean-up after themselves and co-exist peacefully. Let's think more about the future of our planet and less about ourselves. :)

NativeSun

Registered:1399338155
Posts: 178

Posted 1418329518	Reply with quote #28

Great idea on the "Six pointer" ! Hahhaha I think Im going to practice QSM - y'know - quality slug management -- nothing less than six can be taken during a season... no "does" either :) __________________ James, North Florida zone 9A

NativeSun

Registered:1399338155
Posts: 178

Posted 1418329789 · Edited	Reply with quote #29

A little to the left, Dennis.....five millimeters should do it... __________________ James, North Florida zone 9A

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1418335227	Reply with quote #30

Hi, Ask your wife to buy you two beers . One for the slugs and one for you. Put the beer of the slugs in plates all around the garage. While shooting be careful not to hit some iron like a nail or the bullet could bounce back to you ... could become a sad hobby ... At least that happens with "lead guns/air riffle " here. That cools one to feel the thing bouncing by the head near an eye ... Just saying ... Beer is less dangerous . __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

ChrisK

Registered:1415844271
Posts: 937

Posted 1418338314	Reply with quote #31

Priceless gentlemen ! Johnny awesome video, Dennis You're making us cry ,laughing buddy! Great story! I think I'm off this weekend! Let me know if You need any help paching the holes on Your garage walls!!! Lol! Thanks for sharing! __________________ ChrisK Atl GA Zone 7b-8a

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,724

Posted 1418339779 · Edited	Reply with quote #32

Quote: Originally Posted by cis4elk Very difficult stuff to get off of the hands, slug slime that is, Rubbing alcohol gets it right off. I imagine acetone would work as well. Great thread, guys! __________________ Zone 6, MO Wish list: Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.

eboone

Registered:1378418906
Posts: 1,100

Posted 1418340395	Reply with quote #33

Quote: Originally Posted by cis4elk Dennis, do you use slugs for bait? There are only a few things that I haven't tried putting on a hook, and a slug is one of them. Eeesh, that would be like trying to put a hook through somebody's loogie. Very difficult stuff to get off of the hands, slug slime that is, not loogie cause loogie rinses off fairly easy. But there is a big difference between your loogie and someone else's loogie. Is this OT or TMI, I cant tell :) Calvin, way back when I was a teenager who collected earthworms after rain at night to use fishing, my brother and I found a number of large slugs and inch or more long. We tried them for bait but they never seemed to work. After a trip or so fishing we quit collecting them, so it was not a long testing process. __________________ Ed Zone 6A - Southwest PA --------------------------- Short wish list: CDDG, LSU Red, Dark Greek (Navid), Col Littman's Black Cross. And any cold hardy early fig.

leon_edmond

Registered:1188903453
Posts: 923

Posted 1418341335	Reply with quote #34

Dennis, nice thread. Thanks for the tip. Now I'm glad that my Browning Shotgun came with a slug barrel- I'll let you know how many I get tonight ;0)

johnnyq627

Registered:1366344367
Posts: 710

Posted 1418351844 · Edited	Reply with quote #35

Dennis I completely feel your pain... I thought I had mice and couldn't figure out how they were eating the peanut butter off the trap without setting it off... Then one night I snuck down and found this... It still creeps me out... __________________ Nick- Youtube: PA Figs \| eBay: tdepoala Zone 6B/7A - Douglassville, PA Wish list - Galicia Negra, Paritjal Rimada, Black Ischia UCD

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1418352089	Reply with quote #36

Nick, this will work, how creative is this! It creeps me out too.

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1418356265	Reply with quote #37

Nick, that is GROSSSSSSSSSSS! I just shot another one! __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

Lil_Stinkpot

Registered:1417238939
Posts: 16

Posted 1418357668 · Edited	Reply with quote #38

Oh, my gosh, you guys are a hoot! I keep picturing a fancy Feinwerkbau or Anschutz instead of the breakbarrel. Aw, man, I'm still laughing. Puts a new spin on "slug match." __________________ Wish list: a house

nkesh099

Registered:1267670012
Posts: 863

Posted 1418358791	Reply with quote #39

Good laugh, Dennis. So funny. Leon, that slug shell might do some damage to more than a slug or two- be careful :) Navid.

cis4elk

Registered:1347840383
Posts: 1,718

Posted 1418403581	Reply with quote #40

Nick, every few years I end up with a mouse population out around the garden. They climb up into my tomato plants and eat tomatos, the damage is very similar to tomato hornworm, except they don't eat any leaves, just tomatos. Point being, I put mouse traps around the garden in all the good places, plus I even put them up into the tomato plants that are getting mouse damage. I catch plenty of mice, but I have caught some pretty big slugs in mouse traps too! I had the same problem with disappearing bait, sometimes it's slick mouse, often times it's ants, but I never even considered slugs until I caught my first. __________________ Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6 Wants List: For everyone to clean-up after themselves and co-exist peacefully. Let's think more about the future of our planet and less about ourselves. :)

schaplin

Registered:1392175246
Posts: 662

Posted 1418426537	Reply with quote #41

This is to funny. You people are the only ones who would understand me out in the greenhouse after dark with one of those head lamps on, a long set of tweezers and a jar of alcohol. My record was like a 147 slugs in one night. I had brought in a collection of plants that was infested and by the time I found out they were everywhere. I want that little salt gun!! __________________ Wish List: @Hmari, @Maltese beauty, @Col de Dame Grise, @Bryant Dark, @Lynhurst White, @Melcedonia Dark, @Panevino Dark, @Paradiso

greenbud

Registered:1397009790
Posts: 230

Posted 1418433531	Reply with quote #42

Dennis, I don't see where anyone else asked you, does your wife keep her car parked in close proximity to the fig trees???

schaplin

Registered:1392175246
Posts: 662

Posted 1418512395	Reply with quote #43

Maybe at the next fig fest we will see the growers bringing out there "trophy" slugs. __________________ Wish List: @Hmari, @Maltese beauty, @Col de Dame Grise, @Bryant Dark, @Lynhurst White, @Melcedonia Dark, @Panevino Dark, @Paradiso

RichinNJ

Registered:1374784282
Posts: 1,687

Posted 1418512635	Reply with quote #44

Quote: Originally Posted by cis4elk Nick, every few years I end up with a mouse population out around the garden. They climb up into my tomato plants and eat tomatos, the damage is very similar to tomato hornworm, except they don't eat any leaves, just tomatos. Point being, I put mouse traps around the garden in all the good places, plus I even put them up into the tomato plants that are getting mouse damage. I catch plenty of mice, but I have caught some pretty big slugs in mouse traps too! I had the same problem with disappearing bait, sometimes it's slick mouse, often times it's ants, but I never even considered slugs until I caught my first. We have the neighborhood cat patrol who have done a stellar job of taking care of the voles and mice that thought our garden was a buffet.

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1418523998	Reply with quote #45

My wife does park her car right next to my trees. Sharon, that's a good idea! Rich, I need a few cats but my dog hates them. __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

COGardener

Registered:1357441505
Posts: 814

Posted 1418534689	Reply with quote #46

Dennis, If it is possible, keep ducks with your figs when they are outside. Slugs will become an engaged species in your garden. then there is little to no concern about bringing the slugs in with the figs. Of course then you'll have nothing do over the winter.

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1418566559	Reply with quote #47

Scott, I wish I had some ducks! I'm about 2 miles from the river! I got plenty of snapping turtles and hawks! __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

COGardener

Registered:1357441505
Posts: 814

Posted 1418568099	Reply with quote #48

The hawks could be an issue for the ducks, I have heard of chickens being taken anyway. I hope to get mine this next growing season, we'll see.

GRamaley

Registered:1357742252
Posts: 791

Posted 1418700428	Reply with quote #49

Maybe a few of those annoying Canada Geese could be put to good use.. __________________ Gloria --------------- 7a, maybe 8

COGardener

Registered:1357441505
Posts: 814

Posted 1418701674	Reply with quote #50

Quote: Originally Posted by GRamaley Maybe a few of those annoying Canada Geese could be put to good use.. That is a very interesting idea Gloria, I have not done much research on keeping geese other then there legendary gaurd dog mentality. Very similar diet, yet, there would be more chance for damage if they found they liked something, more food and more of a mess. If you have acreage, I could see it, but the average yard, I think ducks would be better. Research my change my mind, guess we'll see.

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