Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Slugging

Ah the delights of spring and summer. Now that the vegetables and fruits are flowering and the roses beginning to bloom my morning routine has an added adventure: slug hunting. Early in the morning, while the dew is still wetting the ground, I pull on surgical gloves, grab a giant Ziploc bag and head outside in my red housecoat and slippers. No slimy offender escapes my thorough pursuit. I pluck them from bush and berry, from grass and leaf and pop them into the bag.
On average I collect about 2 pounds a trip. It is interesting that early in the season my haul consisted of many slugs of small to medium size. Now I get maybe a couple dozen big daddies ranging from nauseating orange to fascinating leopard skin. Does this mean I am making progress in my quest to eradicate slugs from my yard? Who knows?

It’s really a great way to start the day! Try it sometime; of course you have to live west of the Cascades to enjoy slugging.

For interesting facts and how to make a slug your pet check out http://velvetdragon.com/cyberslugs/realslugs.html