My purple cabbages, brocolli, radish and peas are struggling to survive winter while being nibbled by slugs and small snails!
I am sure I have seen Jackie French make these traps a long time ago on TV, or perhaps I read it in Earth Garden.
I had one trap set up - with just holes cut in the side (no drawbridge) and had tried a yeasty spread in water as the bait, but my dog was attracted to it!
I tried beer and the results were impressive - about 15 slugs in one night!
Luckily the DH had some beer he did not like the taste of, but now you must remember to collect all the beer dregs up from your party or BBQ and put them to work.
Beer works really well - the little blighters seem to love it, and unfortunately for them, they drown.
^^ You will need a plastic soft drink bottle (between 1 and 2 litres), beer, bottle opener (unless it is a screw cap), a sharp knife or stanley knife, craft sissors, small trowel.
Oh - a stanley knife is also called a "box cutter" - I learnt that after 9/11 :-(
^^ Using the sharp knife or stanley knife (box cutter) cut/pierce a "starter hole" 2 to 4 cm from the top of the plastic bottle.
Be very careful. This is quite dangerous so take care not to slip and cut your hand (not for children).
You or the kids can then use the craft sissors to cut a rectangle shape, leaving the bottom attached.
^^ You then bend the plastic "door" so that it slopes down - bend up and down to get it to take the shape you need.
^^ Bury the trap in the garden, with the plastic door level with the dirt.
^^ Add beer!
Put the bottle caps back on! I took them off as I was piercing and cutting.
Other resources:
http://www.greenharvest.com.au/fact_sheets/fs_slug_snail.html
http://www.gmagazine.com.au/features/394/getting-rid-snails
http://aussieorganicgardening.com/?p=194
http://www.sustainable-gardening-tips.com/garden-snails.html