Chepfer
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Hosta help.Part from planting a hosta in amoungst gravel , are there any other ways of keeping the slugs and snails at bay ?
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sophy
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If you don't want to use slug pellets (and they are not very eco-friendly) then I have heard that coffee grounds used as a barrier around the plant is quite effective.
Alternatively, grow your hostas in pots and put copper rings around them so the slugs can't crawl up into them.
Never had any luck with Hostas myself, the slugs always seem to win.
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Martin Peck
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Might help:
Tea/coffee grounds they dont like caffiene.
Copper wire stripped from old mains wire produces a small electrical current.
Vaseline around the edge of the pots.
Vaseline mixed with sharp sand,salt or lime around the pots.
Lime around the plants.
Eggshells ( they are lime).
Chopped hair,( including human) hair.
Oak leaves - it is said that they dislike the tannin.
Aromatic herbal mulch: mint, tansy, lemon balm etc. frequently replaced.
Biological Control / Nematodes (Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita) -
There is also a biological control for slugs available commercially. They are especially effective on the control of the smaller underground type slugs. These are microscopic nematodes that kill slugs by laying their eggs in them. This involves applying the microscopic Nematodes to the soil, either in liquid or powder form. They do not harm any other insects and do not damage the soil.
They do have to be applied about every six weeks and usually have to be purchased by mail order. The nematodes are less effective in ground that is well manured. The other drawback is that they are expensive compared to other methods.
Or dont grow Hostas I dont
Good luck
Martin Horticultural lecturer Bridgwater College
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Block67
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- SALT! 
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Martin Peck
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Trouble is Hostas dont like salt either
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GTB
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My father uses soot to form a line around the hosta and that keeps them off.
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jolou39
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Hostas are one of slugs favourite foods!!
I have a great book - "50 ways to kill a slug" !!
It has a lot of great ideas (many of which have already been mentioned) If you have had your hair cut, sprinkle the cut hair around the plants - slugs hate it.
Other than that, you are going to have to check the plants pretty much every day, especially after rain.......
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GTB
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I remember, as a young lad, shooting slugs with an air rifle. It was a fairly efficient, if not a little messy, way of keeping the numbers down.
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