Lower Ground Floor Flat - Risk of Slugs?

[YellowSapphire]

Hi everyone,
I might have to move to a lower ground floor flat in a Victorian conversion. The flat faces the back of the house and has a patio garden.

I googled living in basements flats and to my horror saw that some people had a slug problem. I have an absolute phobia about them so there is no way I could risk it.

Is it a common problem? Where I am, there are mice and it is a constant assault, with new ones breeding all the time. So if living in a basement flat means the same with slugs, that the threat is constant, then I couldn't cope...

Thanks!

I live in a ground floor flat and have never had slugs.
A caterpillar but I think the cat brought that in.. and the odd earwig

I know you said there’s not much choice but worth looking for a newer build. In our old 1920s rental, which wasn’t damp but was in a sorry state, we got slugs at a certain time of year. Now in a new build and I’m pretty sure they just can’t get in.

We also had a rat in the old house, but that’s another story!

Hi there,

Just to say thank you for answering. I hadn't been able to bring myself to read the latest messages as I found it upsetting to read so many anecdotes about the creatures! Yes I know i need to sort out my phobia at some point as it's very limiting!

I didn't take the flat but it was very helpful to read your answers, and to now newer builds are more secure.

Stay safe!

I lived in a lower ground flat for years... and loved it as it was so quiet and always warm. I think I might have seen a handful of slugs over the years but never had a big problem with them. You can buy copper tape that you can stick down on door thresholds etc. which repels them (and is harmless and doesn't make the mess of using salt):

www.amazon.co.uk/Slug-Tape-Copper-Repellent-20mm/dp/B00DDVFS7I/ref=asc_df_B00DDVFS7I/?hvlocphy=1006717&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=309920133577&hvpone&hvlocint&hvpos&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-699693817185&hvrand=2638357531606598685

Wow I've never heard of this at all! We always lived in first floor or higher flats and never had any slugs in, we now live in an Edwardian house and again never a slug. I didn't even know this was a thing that ever happened, it's freaked me right out as I also have a slug phobia like you OP!

I had them, and it turned out I had a damp problem. The damp issue has been fixed, and touch wood, the slugs have not returned. I also filled every gap with mastic (small gaps) and expanding foam (larger gaps). Whilst they're attracted to dark and damp places, they don't live inside, and if you seal every gap then they can't get in. I did also line the front of my house with salt, and they wouldn't cross it. That helped too. I have copper tape down still anyway as a precautionary measure, because like you, I'm quite phobic. I only ever saw trails or baby sluglettes. I don't know what I'd have done if I saw a full sized one. Probably moved out!
Oh, when I was researching my slug problem, I came across wire mesh covers for vent bricks. They're cheap and easy to source online. People with the same issue on forums reported success with them as slugs can enter through ventilation bricks in older properties.

The copper tape sounds very promising, thanks ! So nice to know there are ways to keep them out. The wire mesh over vent bricks sounds amazing too. Where I live is OK, but I need to know these things if I have to move...

Nice to meet other people with this phobia! It's so annoying to have but glad it's not spiders, like some people, or mice, as they're harder to avoid.

@Grimbelina @FayleWatersWaters thanks so much for this slug repellent/prevention info! We have them occasionally in the living room of our Victorian terrace and whilst I wouldn't describe myself as phobic I'm not keen on them At All. Suspect the air brick might be the problem but am getting myself some copper tape as well as mesh, pronto.

I found a slug in the kitchen of my 1940’s semi the other morning. Never had any issues with damp and no idea where the bastard thing got in. I can’t stand them!