4 Ways To Get Rid Of Garden Slugs

Bury a tall cup with steep sides into the soil. Leave the rim ½ inch (1. 25 cm) above the soil, to prevent the trap killing beetles that hunt slugs. [2] X Research source Fill the cup halfway with beer or milk. Replace every few days. If the slugs are climbing out, replace with a mix of honey, yeast, and a little water, boiled until gluey. [3] X Research source [4] X Research source

Cabbage leaves Citrus fruit rinds, moistened with water Dry pet food

Check the undersides of leaves. Follow any slime trails you notice.

Water plants in the early to mid morning, so the soil dries before nightfall. Install drip irrigation to minimize water use. Keep the yard free of debris, and mow the lawn regularly. Avoid organic mulches, such as straw or grass clippings. Space plants far enough apart to allow air flow between them.

Oak leaf mulch or tobacco stem meal, spread as a barrier around plants Wormwood tea, made from steeping artemisia cuttings in warm water for 24 hours. Strain and combine with soapy water, then spray onto soil or slugs.

Young children may cut themselves on the strips.

Avoid using salt in situations where it can come into the contact with water (like when rainy weather is likely or a sprinkler is running). Water can dissolve salt and wash it off of “safe” surfaces and into the soil, harming soil quality.

Coffee grounds may have mild effects on the health of your garden. Sharp, coarse sand scrapes against slugs, but may not deter them completely. Seaweed is not as effective as plain salt, but perhaps a little safer for your soil. Calcified seaweed meal is better, if you can find it.

Herbs: ginger, garlic, chives, mint, and chicory. Vegetables: bitter greens are generally less appealing to slugs than sweet greens. Try planting kale, spring cabbage, or sprouting broccoli. Hosta varieties with blue leaves are more resistant. Flowers for full shade: Astilbe, Dicentra, Digitalis (foxglove), Lobelia, Viola (some pansies and violets). Also Ranunculus (buttercups) and Vinca, but these spread rapidly. Flowers for partial shade: Phlox, Campanula, Hemerocallis. Also Mentha, but this spreads rapidly.

Safety warnings: Do not inhale any of these substances or handle with bare hands. These may not be suitable in gardens where children or pets play. Diatomaceous earth: May harm beneficial insects. [11] X Research source Wood ash: Raises soil pH, which can affect plants. Hydrated lime: Raises soil pH greatly. Can make soil uninhabitable for many plants. 1% Caffeine spray: Applied directly to the plants you want to protect; kills slugs when they feed. Can negatively affect many plants in unpredictable ways.

Alternatively, you can encourage wild beetles to stay near your plants by providing dry refuges under stones, grass, or straw. This allows the beetles to hide from predators, making your garden an attractive home. Luckily, ground beetles can live almost everywhere that slugs can also live.

Keep a close eye on your chickens, as they may eat plants as well. Encourage birds to nest in your garden by providing hedges or dense shrubbery, bird feeders, and a bird bath. [13] X Research source

Do not keep fish in the pond, as these may eat the tadpoles.

The nematodes should come with directions. Typically, they are spread over the soil, then watered in.

Commercial names include Sluggo, Slug Magic, and Escar-Go.

Avoid “pellet” form metaldehyde, which can be mistaken for pet treats. Use “granule” form instead. Store the metaldehyde somewhere dogs cannot get to it. Do not apply the treatment near edible plants. Spread the metaldehyde thinly, never in piles, which pets can mistake for food. Metaldehyde works best on warm, dry days, but cannot be used in sunlight. Apply underneath leaves in the evening before a warm weather forecast. Look for low-dose metaldehyde products with less environmental impact. [18] X Research source