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Roberts Creek: Slug Nation: a state of mind

I got finally hold of the Gumboot Nation crest, emblazoned with the skunk cabbage above the gumboots and dead centre, larger than anything, the slug! It really is no wonder that the slug is the official animal of Roberts Creek.
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Please email kellybacks@rocketmail.com if you know the original artist of this logo for the Nation of Roberts Creek.

I got finally hold of the Gumboot Nation crest, emblazoned with the skunk cabbage above the gumboots and dead centre, larger than anything, the slug! It really is no wonder that the slug is the official animal of Roberts Creek.

How is your garden coming along? Is your giant pumpkin plant doing well? I have inadvertently come up with great slug bait, romaine lettuce! Without fail, I go slug hunting and find my quarry munching away on my lunch. Just plant romaine next to anything you want to protect, and the slugs go for the lettuce.

My friend Chris brought an ironic can of Old Milwaukee to band practice but confessed, after having an actual drink, that it was destined for a slug trap. Going down the rabbit hole to research this I read that coffee grounds deter the slimeballs, and at this point I will try anything. I tried copper mesh but it’s pricey. There is advice out there on the efficacy of soap, salt, vinegar, eggshells, nut shells, seaweed and even attack hedgehogs!

Of the three main types we see in our garden, only the banana slug (Ariolimax columbianus) is native to Roberts Creek. Both the European great grey (Limax maximus) and black (Arion rufus) are invasive species, having hitched a ride in the potted plants of the Europeans (shaking my fist in their general direction!). Then there is the slime.

With the ability to absorb up to 100 times its weight in water, it’s a difficult proposition to wash it off after dispatching one of these veggie munchers. Best advice is to let it dry and roll it off like so much mucilage glue (I am old enough to remember playing with that stuff). I have spent a good deal of mental energy on the idea of creating a glue out of slugs. It would be a fantastic, value added, locally sourced product!

My new chooks (Australian for chickens) won’t eat them. The chooks are getting comfortable in their fortress, but I may expand my flock to include other fowl. I am considering adding ducks to my poultry collection for the sole reason that they eat slugs. 

I received an email from our former SCRD director (and my current friend) Donna Shugar about the Sunshine Coast Hospice Society’s annual fundraiser. The Hike for Hospice 2020 has been re-imagined as a virtual event. You are invited to share a photo of your hike, run, walk, swim, paddleboard or what have you with a story of your experience. Go to coasthospice.com/hike/ to register your campaign or donate to Donna’s campaign.

Last week I talked of the great work done by our Community Association, but one integral member of the board was missed. Kathleen Hudson has been on the board as treasurer for several years now. She works tirelessly in the background, applying for funding, advocating for hall maintenance, and pitching in to help organize just about every event and celebration they put on. Thanks, Kathleen!

Straight out of the Creek: stand up bass, acoustic guitars, brushes on the drums, sweet harmonies. No cords or cables. All the great WEEN vibes in a laid back, back porch livestream session. Slap “Like” and “Follow” on Captain Fantasy’s Facebook page and join them for Captain’s Log: Back Porch Acoustic Session, live from a secret Roberts Creek location, Friday, June 19 at 5 p.m. (recorded version available anytime). 

kellybacks@rocketmail.com