Totally agree - using the laser is kinda of a techno-geeky way to accomplish something with star wars effect something that would take 1/5th the time with a magifying glass and sun. Black plastic and cardboard work much better for instaneous pyrogratification, they don't reflect light as nearly as well as slugs. Still fun......
Has anyone heard about IPM controls for slugs? Perhaps something along the lines of a nematode that inhabits them or similar?