Rose slugs

[joannmaslana]

My knockout roses were all but destroyed last year from rose slugs. I notice that the little slugs have already started to feast. Does anyone have a suggestion to get rid of them? I chose knockout roses because they are touted as being the easiest to grow and yet they need constant tending. Thanks for any suggestions

[Marlingardener]

Joannaa,
Ditomaceous earth (and don't count on that spelling being right!) can deter slugs from mounting your rose bushes. It cuts their little tummies open, hee, hee, hee! Make a ring of DE around your bushes and they won't be able to approach. Wood ashes or builder's sand are alternatives if you can't find DE. Make sure it is builder's sand, not play sand.
Knockouts are great roses, and I hope you get to enjoy yours completely this year, sans slugs.