HOW TO CONTROL SLUG DAMAGE ON POTATO TUBERS

How to control slug damage on potato tubers

Potatoes are arguably the most popular of all vegetables to grow in vegetable gardens or allotments and aside from a certain amount of cultivation timing and technique they are relatively easy to grow. However as much as we like to eat them they are also a popular choice amongst some rather pernicious pests. However once identified they can be successfully managed.

Out of the two most common pests of potatoes – slugs and wireworms - slugs are regarded as the worst and in particular it‘s the keeled slugs that do the most damage.

How to control slug damage on potato tubers

Ordinarily, keeled slugs spend their time feeding above ground but they live and feed mainly on decaying organic matter in the soil. Unfortunately for the vegetable gardener they will also feed on living plant material, damaging potato tubers from late summer to autumn.

Working alone they make round holes in the potatoes skin which will often go unnoticed however they will also tunnel out extensive cavities inside the tubers which – in severe cases – makes the tuber inedible! However keeled slugs will often work in conjunction with wireworms and their already created tunnels, widening and extending them as they see fit. Often by the time the potatoes are lifted the slugs have gone back into the soil

Where potato crops are concerned slugs are difficult to deal with as they are generally out of reach of chemical and organic controls. However, there are some cultural control methods that can reduce their incidence.

How to control slug damage on potato tubers

1. Avoid planting potatoes into heavy soils, as these are favoured by slugs. If this is unavoidable try lightening the soil by adding plenty of compost and well-rotted manure. Also aid excessive watering of your crop as this will only make things worse.

2. Try trapping slugs by encircling you potato crop with old wet sacks and rotten wooden boards. In the mornings, lift the boards and sacks and remove the slugs by hand. I would recommend wearing gloves

3. Dig over your soil once or twice before planting as this will bring slug eggs to the soil surface where they can be eaten by birds.

4. Avoid sowing potatoes into a site bordering grass, compost heaps or piles of organic waste, as all of these provide a base from which the slugs will carry out their midnight raids.

5. You can try planting potato varieties offering high resistance to slug attack. Below is a list of the best varieties. If these are unavailable to you plant early cropping varieties and lift them early so as to avoid the time of year when these slugs are at their most active.

High Resistance to Slugs
Pentland Dell
Pentland Ivory
Pentland Falcon

Medium Resistance to Slugs
Desiree
King Edward
Majestic
Pentland Crown
Pentland Hawk
Record
Romano

Be aware that slug-damaged tubers are prone to secondary rots and should not be stored with healthy tubers.

For related article click onto the following links:
ARE SLUG PELLETS POISONING OUR NATIVE WILDLIFE
HOW MANY CALORIES ARE IN A POTATO?
HOW TO CONTROL CODLING MOTH ON APPLES
HOW TO RECOGNISE POTATO BLIGHT - Phytophthora infestans
MAKE YOUR OWN ORGANIC PYRETHRUM INSECTICIDE

ORGANIC CONTROL OF CATERPILLARS
ORGANIC AND CULTURAL CONTROL OF POTATO BLIGHT
SLUG AND BLIGHT RESISTANT POTATO VARIETIES
Slugs Pests and Slug Control in Potatoes
SLUG RESISTANT BEDDING PLANTS
WHAT ARE THE SAFE ORGANIC ALTERNATIVES TO SLUG PELLETS