Hedghogs & other snail /slug predators

[Who me ?]

Most times I leave slugs and snails to the hedgehog I know prowls out garden. If the weather is dry, I'll fill a smal bowl with water near where I now he spends the day and throw out some food our spoilt dog leaves. Most times this is mince, sometimes chicken. BUT OCCASIONALLY i'll find a larg leopard slug on the path. It gets salted ,and next day it's gone. So is it Blackie or hog,and is the salt harmful to either ?

[Mr Pointy]

It's a misconception that hedgehogs eat slugs - they eat mainly beetles, gubs & worms & slugs are a long way down the menu. In fact they are bad for hedgehogs as they can catch lungworm from slugs.

[Boosted LS1]

Why would you salt a slug if a hedgehog could eat it instead? Nature is about balance not left over dog food.

Edited by Boosted LS1 on Wednesday 17th June 08:52

[Mobile Chicane]

Leopard slugs are *supposed* to predate other slugs. I've no idea how true this is.

However the most humane method of slug killing is to snip them in half with a pair of scissors. Come morning, the birds will have dealt with the corpses.

[hyphen]

Wouldn't the most humane method be to stick them in a box, and then release them miles away?

[Equus]

hyphen said:

Wouldn't the most humane method be to stick them in a box, and then release them miles away?

Mobile Chicane said:

However the most humane method of slug killing is to snip them in half with a pair of scissors. corpses.

Unless you think they'll die of homesickness?

[Evoluzione]

Boosted LS1 said:

Why would you salt a slug if a hedgehog could eat it instead? Nature is about balance not left over dog food.

Because they don't just sit there all night waiting for the hedgehog?

OP, I got a wildlifecam, I knew stuff was going on in the night, but it was great fun to watch who actually turned up and what they did.

[Who me ?]

Evoluzione said:

Because they don't just sit there all night waiting for the hedgehog?

OP, I got a wildlifecam, I knew stuff was going on in the night, but it was great fun to watch who actually turned up and what they did.

So- if I salt a large slug, which might breed other slugs if I don't salt it, I often find the remains gone. I've got a large Blackie population in thehedge around me. But they are only active during day time. But I know I've also got a massive hog roaming the garden. I now it predates on slugs and snails - I've found it in garden and left slugs close by. AN hour later hog has gone and so are slugs. Again a Q for the wildlife experts, not just the others- any problems with salted slugs for hogs etc. I'd sooner salt slugs than use bait.

[Nightmare]

If they definitely are leopard slugs then it’s really stupid to kill them. They don’t eat live plants at all and DO eat other slugs. You’re not very likely to find a leopard slug out on a path tho

If not, don’t use much salt. Think how teeny a hedgehog is relative to a human. Salt itself won’t be any more adverse for a hog than a human, but large amounts of salt isn’t good for anything living. And make sure you put water out as well as as it will get thirsty (and need to balance the salt)