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Carrot seedling update
I tried the toilet paper rolls, and they worked like magic. I have beautiful little seedlings. I put a couple in the ground two days ago, just to test, and this morning, the starter leaves were chewed off. So now I think that I haven't been having a germination problem at all, but a slug and/or snail problem (this also explains why my lettuce in pots is coming up like crazy but my lettuce in the ground wasn't coming up at all). I've baited for slugs/snails several times this season, but I guess it's not working or not working well enough. I've tried beer/yeast mixtures in the past with little to no success. I put down a circle of diatomaceous earth around my veggie bed at lunch. I may go out after dark with a flashlight and see what sort of damage I can do with hand picking. Anyone super successful getting rid of these things? I've had them before, but it seems a lot worse this time.
Re: Carrot seedling update
Sounds like you've got a plan in place. I don't have any suggestions.
How do you know it's not rabbits or other critters with fur?
I live in a pretty densely populated area (I have about 1/10 of an acre total), so there's not a lot of wildlife (well, we do have wild turkeys and raccoons). Plus, we are fenced in on all 4 sides, so I'm not sure that one could get in. I'm pretty sure it's not the turkeys or raccoons because they leave one holy mess if they decide to visit, and these are just neatly snipped off seedlings; the soil isn't even disturbed. I haven't seen any other critters that are likely culprits, but I guess it could be something else. I could pull an all-nighter at the window on Friday
Wonder if it's a full moon?
I'm a bit perplexed about how I'll know if my efforts are working. I don't want to sacrifice anymore seedlings
I guess I'll have to eventually.
FWIW, I live in a very densely populated area & have a fenced in yard & have a serious rabbit problem. 'Round here they tend to feed early in the AM or at night...I rarely see them middle of the day.
Another thing you could try for slugs is Sluggo. It's just like iron phosphate or something & is safe around kids/pets & food. I've had lots of luck with it.
Gah. I was kidding about the all nighter. I don't even want to think about rabbits. I've never done rabbits before (I'm fairly new to veggies, and they've never bothered my ornamentals). I do have some bird netting I guess I could use...
I have Sluggo'd repeatedly, evidently without much success
The Sluggo always seems to disappear. I wonder if that means it's getting eaten or if it just dissolves? Damn these pests.
The Sluggo worked for me. I just reappy every few weeks or after rain. Sprinkle generously throughout the bed. I'm able to confirm snails because of the shiny streaks they leave behind on my sidewalk going into the flower beds.
Copper tape around the edge of the bed is supposed to work for snails. Not sure how large of an area you're dealing with.
I think an eggshell or sandpaper barrier would work the same as the diatomaceous earth barrier, but may be cheaper.