Slugs have returned

Welcome to Slug Wars part two. We were hoping that the Slug Wars were over. We were disappointed and downright wrong.

We went to a concert Friday and got home around 10 p.m. or so. To my dismay, there were a dozen slugs climbing up the outside of the house. It looked like something out of a B-grade horror movie.

I told hubby where the salt shaker was. He picked up the salt shaker and managed to persuade each and every one of them to drop off the siding by salting all of the slimy creatures. Meanwhile, I stepped on four of them that had made it to the front porch. I had salted the porch before we left but it was not as effective a deterrent as I had hoped.

I called my daughter, Beth, on Saturday. I wasn’t sure I had my grandson Jacob’s phone number. He is the grandson with a vast knowledge of all things creepy-crawly.

Of course, he didn’t answer. I called Beth again and she said to cell Nicholas as sometimes the boys will pick up each other’s phones.

I called again and Nicholas picked up the phone. He happily gave the phone to Jacob. I was startled that nobody had mentioned that Jacob’s voice had changed. Give a kid a year and he turns into a delightful young man.

We talked about slugs and the best ways to get rid of them. Jacob thought I should get a pan of water and set it up so they can fall in but not get out. I wasn’t sure how to do that. I figure they can get out if they get in. Nevertheless, there is a bucket halfway full of water near the slugs’ climbing wall.

I spent much of Saturday with a scrub brush in my hand, scrubbing the remains of the slimy creatures off of the siding. It took many, many trips inside to refill the bucket with soapy water and the gallon jug holding rinse water whenever I had one area cleaned.

I treated myself to a break when my brother, David and his wife, Apryl, dropped by. They had gone out to the tractor show but because they got there late, some of the exhibitors were in the process of packing up to go to the next show. They did find a rather unusual necklace that Apryl liked.

We had a nice visit and after they left, I finished scrubbing that part of the house.

The next day I wanted a few things from our local store. After I found what I needed, I walked down what I call the aisle of death to see if they had any kind of slug deterrent such as diatomaceous earth. They didn’t. I may go up to the nursery sometime this week to see if they offer anything to discourage the slimy things.

Most of the time I have a live and let live attitude towards creepy crawly things. As long as wildlife stays outside and doesn’t cause any trouble, I tend to leave wild things alone. Once they venture into the house or cause a problem then I do what I can to kill them. The slugs have crossed that line. They are among the many creatures that I would rather not see.

I sincerely hope that this is the last time I ever write about slugs. They need to go back to hiding under stray boards and other damp places. They should also stay off of the vinyl siding and don’t ever again venture into the house.