How to Get Rid of Slugs in Your Garden

Slugs are one of the most destructive and difficult pests to control in gardens. Not only are they destructive, but they create an unwelcoming environment which is another reason most homeowners hate having them in their yard. They reproduce very quickly, which makes it quite difficult to keep them under control. However, this does not mean that you can’t manage to get rid of them. There are several methods you can try to get rid of these destructive pests.  We’ve listed some of these methods below. Have a look, try them out, and good luck with a slug-free garden.

1. Utilize Dry Ground Cover

The first tip that you should try to get rid of slugs is pouring dry, scratchy, or dusty material into your garden. Slugs are not fans a dry habitat and will try to avoid such an area. So, get sand, sawdust, gravel, or another dry material and sprinkle it in the areas that they inhabit. What’s more, ensure that there is enough space between your plants to avoid pooling water so that the slugs do not remain there.

2. Use Chemical Controls

There are several chemicals that you can use to eliminate slugs in your garden. For instance, you can use ammonia, metaldehyde, or iron phosphate pellets. Once you opt for ammonia, you can mix it with water and use it to spray the ground. However, you should remain cautious to avoid spraying this on your plants as it can burn leaves. When using metaldehyde, you should only apply it in the areas the slugs occupy most. Be incredibly cautious to not use a lot especially with pets in your home because it is poisonous. Alternatively, you can spread iron phosphate pellets on your garden, which is a safer option since they are not toxic to pets and edible vegetables.

3. Set Traps

Another method to try is setting traps that will lure slugs. You can use beer, milk, cornmeal, or create a conducive environment to attract slugs. If you use beer or milk, fill a cup up to half with these liquids and bury it in the soil for slugs to fall in. Ensure that the slugs cannot climb out and if they can, try out a mixture of honey, a little water, and yeast. Boil until it becomes thick and glue-like, then place it in the cup. What’s more, you can try out a cornmeal trap which you can create by putting a little cornmeal into a glass so that it attracts the slugs. Once the slugs eat the cornmeal, it expands inside them thereby killing them. Another method to try out is creating wet conditions that will attract them. You can place snail food in such environments since this will make it easier to trap them once they assemble.

4. Try out Salt

Sprinkling salt on slugs is another method to try to eliminate them. Salt works by drawing out water from the slugs, thereby killing them. However, be cautious not to sprinkle salt on the soil where your plants grow or on the plants. Such a measure will compromise the quality of the soil since it acts by drawing water from your plants. The use of salt is majorly efficient when you plant your vegetables in tins since this allows you to pour the salt on the side of these containers.

5. Grow Plants that Deter Slugs

There are several plants that slugs will not get close to because of either the toxins they emit, their smell, their texture, or their taste. Try plants such as ginger, kale, garlic, Lobelia, Phlox, sprouting broccoli, fennel, chives, mint, and others. Try growing these among your vegetables so that they will prevent the snails from damaging your vegetation.

6. Try Natural Predators

Several animals can help eliminate slugs. Some even enjoy a meal of slugs, which is the reason you should try adding them to your garden if you want it slug-free. For instance, get birds such as chicken and ducks to eat these slimy animals. Other predators that you can try out are nematodes, toads, and ground beetles. Since these do not have a natural habitat in your garden, create one for them near the slugs so that they can assist you with eliminating these creatures.

The above tips will help you kill slugs in your garden without much of hassle. Several gardeners have tried them out with proven results, which is the reason you should try them out if you have an infestation of slugs in your yard.