Slugs can be a real nuisance in the garden, but there are some simple and effective ways to keep them at bay – and you don’t need to use harmful chemicals
Slugs become increasingly prevalent during autumn months as they thrive in damp conditions and amongst lots of fallen foliage, yet there exists a simple method to banish them for good. Experts recommend inspecting beneath plant pots and rotting leaves during this time, as slug mating season is at its peak in September.
While chemical pellets represent one of the most common approaches for dealing with slugs. It is highly recommended against using them as they present dangers to pets and wildlife that naturally control slug populations, including birds and hedgehogs.
Instead, Jane, a gardening expert and founder of Snap Dragon Life, revealed how she discovered a way to naturally deter slugs through the straightforward act of growing one beautiful flower throughout her garden, reports the Express.
Jane said: “I planted out my rows of carefully nurtured seedlings – cornflowers, marigolds, poppies, cosmos, nigella, snapdragons. Within two days the slugs had eaten everything but the snapdragons. Slugs don’t like snapdragons”
Although it may seem odd, snapdragons rank amongst the most effective ways for keeping slugs out of gardens as they naturally contain compounds that prove toxic to slugs whilst remaining safe for humans.
Snapdragons also contain lower water levels than other plants and boast a tough, leathery texture, making slugs view a garden as lacking proper food sources and boosting their chances of moving elsewhere.
It’s best to plant snapdragons near vulnerable crops like lettuces, cabbages, or other greenery that slugs normally target, whilst also positioning them along garden paths and borders.
Beer trap technique
If slugs are currently causing major problems for you, then a brilliant way to stop them munching on plants involves setting up bait that these pests will find impossible to resist but which will quickly kill them.
Jane revealed: “Slugs love beer, any beer, even the terrible beer that people bring to parties, even failed home-brew. Save small jars or pots (single yoghurt pots work fine) and bury them up to their necks between where the slugs are likely to be living and your plants.”
Fill the containers with beer and slugs will discover this more tempting than the plants. Slugs will also find it difficult to climb out of the container and will die, making it a simple yet incredibly effective slug prevention trap.
Cereal trap technique
If you don’t have beer at home, you can instead use cereal, as when left outdoors it will begin to ferment slightly and slugs will be hugely attracted to it.
Jane revealed: “The only thing better than beer in the mind of a slug is cereal. They can’t resist it. Rather than using piles of bran which can get messy, I use cheap own-brand Weetabix-type cereal and again place it between the slugs and the crops.”
You can entice the slugs into a large container using cereal, and once they’ve assembled, you can either pluck them out or simply bin the entire container.
Jane shared: “This is the way that I dealt with slugs in my first garden – logging the numbers in a weird serial killer-y garden notebook. I stopped counting when I got past 4,000. It is less messy if you combine it with the Weetabix technique.
“Simply leave the Weetabix for three days and then go out at night and collect up all the Weetabix that should by now be covered with feasting slugs.”