Ugh--Slugs

I have slug damage on my strawberries, delphiniums, and dahlias. My pepper plants are almost dead. The lettuce seeds I planted never even stood a chance--once they sprouted they mysteriously disappeared (I blame the slugs). I have replanted marigolds once already.

I tried beer. The slugs must have been on to me: I didn't trap a single one.

I read perlite could deter slugs from attacking a plant. Since there was no harm in trying, I spread it around the plants most susceptible to slug damage. It looked silly: my plants had white rings around their base, about 4-5 inches thick. I laughed at myself when I saw a slug crawling over the perlite.

Saturday morning, before leaving for a camping trip, I went outside with the salt shaker. I killed at least fifteen. I took great pleasure in it. Lee thought it was sadistic; I think it's nature at work. (After all, I am at the top of the food chain.)

But when I returned from the trip, I went to look at the garden, and all the marigolds were dead.

My next step will be slug bait. I am somewhat loathe to resort to a pesticide, but if I want marigolds it seems there is no other way.

I asked Mom if slug bait would actually work. She just shrugged her shoulders and said, "I eventually quit planting things that slugs like."

When I pull up the marigolds, I may try coleus. Does anyone know if slugs will eat those?