Organic solutions
Slugs and snails are attracted to beer, wine and yeast products. Pour a small amount of these fluidsinto aplastic 'deli' container buried in the soil up tothe top of the container. Slugs and snails will crawl in and drown.
Slug damage to canola leaves.
Overturned flowerpots, citrus halves and boards can be placed in the garden to attract the pests. Put a stone under the rim of the flowerpot to allow access. Leave overnight, and you'll find the slugs and snailsinside in the morning. Citrus halves work the same way, withthe fruit scent acting as a lure. The simplest method isto set a wide board on the ground by the affected area to allowslugs and snails to hide under the board which can be flipped over to remove and dispose of the pests.
Coffee grounds scattered on top of the soil will deter slugs and snails and they are killed when sprayed with a very strong (double strength) solution of coffee. Strong garlic sprays will act as a deterrant and will kill soft bodied snails and insects.
Diatomaceous earth is the sharp, jagged, skeletal remains of microscopic creatures. It lacerates soft-bodied pests, causing them to dehydrate. Sprinkle the powder around garden beds or individual plants. It is less effective when wet, so use during dry weather. Wear protective equipment when applying, as it can irritate eyes and lungs.
Barriers
Snails and slugs do not like dry surfaces. Continuous lines of sawdust and ash can be used as barriers but their effectiveness is drastically reduced once they become wet, which is unavoidable with rain and watering of gardens. Alternatives are lines of lime and copper sulphate which are pest repellent and can be used to prevent migration into an area.
Superphosphate fertiliser applied in rings around the butts of trees may stop snails reaching the trunks.
Copper is repellent to snails and slugs and bands of thin copper sheet around tree trunks prevent snails from climbing. This method must be combined with skirt pruning and control of under-canopy vegetation to stop snails getting into the trees by other routes.
Garden snails congregating on a tree trunk.
FAQs
If you have an area that is heavily infested with snails, you can try plowing the soil before or after a crop cycle to expose the pests to the sun and predators. Leaving the area without a crop for a brief time will also remove shelter and food for them and cause them to move on to other areas (OISAT, n.d.).
What is the best thing to stop slugs and snails? ›
How to stop slugs and snails: what works?
- crushed eggshells.
- pine bark mulch.
- copper tape.
- sharp horticultural grit.
- wool pellets.
Ferric phosphate products are formulated as pellets and are recommended for slug control. Slugs eat the pellets once they have absorbed moisture and after ingestion the slugs stop feeding and die underground.
What foods kill snails? ›
Coffee grounds scattered on top of the soil will deter slugs and snails and they are killed when sprayed with a very strong (double strength) solution of coffee. Strong garlic sprays will act as a deterrant and will kill soft bodied snails and insects.
What do you feed snails and slugs? ›
Offer your snails shredded, blanched vegetables.
Freshwater snails especially like to eat shelled peas, carrots, cucumber, zucchini and iceberg lettuce. Allow the blanched vegetables to cool completely.
Do coffee grounds deter slugs and snails? ›
In one study, coffee grounds were found to reduce the number of snails by up to 50%. In another study, coffee has shown to reduce the number of slugs by up to 90%. Overall, coffee grounds are a safe and effective way to deter snails and other pests.
What do slugs hate most? ›
There are a handful of plants which are believed to be a natural repellent for slugs. What you need: Slug repelling plants “ Living Green suggest that wormwood, rue, fennel, anise, and rosemary are the best slug repelling plants.
What smell do slugs and snails hate? ›
Slugs and snails do not like coffee. Sprinkling coffee grounds around plant bases will act as a repellent, as does filling a spray with cold, strong coffee and spraying slugs.
How do you get rid of slugs and snails organically? ›
So here's my tried and tested top 10 ways to naturally control slugs and snails:
- Coffee Grounds. ...
- Beer Trap. ...
- Eggs shells and sea shells. ...
- Diatomaceous earth (DE). ...
- Copper tape. ...
- Slug repellent plants/Slug attractive plants. ...
- Recycled wool waste pellets. ...
- Nematodes.
Epsom salts, though, are an effective control method. Epsom salts contain magnesium, which is a nutrient most plants will utilize. Applying a band of Epsom salt around your beds or plants will work as a slug barrier.
5 Best Slug (and Snail) Killers
- Sluggo Wildlife and Pet Safe Slug Killer.
- Garden Safe Slug & Snail Bait.
- Ortho Bug-Geta Snail and Slug Killer.
- Corry's Slug & Snail Killer.
- Southern Ag Snail and Slug Bait.
Ultimately, the best thing you can do to control slugs in your garden is to create a healthy ecosystem. Create lots of habitats for slug predators – hedges, shrubs (especially those with berries) and trees will all attract birds such as blackbirds and thrushes, which eat slugs (and snails).
What are the natural predators of slugs and snails? ›
There are many types of animals that feed on slugs: beetles (ground beetles, rove beetles, fireflies), toads, snakes, turtles, shrews, ducks, starlings and other birds. Encourage these natural enemies when practical in your garden.
Do slugs like oatmeal? ›
Another solution I have used over the years that works well is rolled oats. It is nontoxic and slugs and snails love it. They eat so much of it and, as it swells, it makes them feel very unwell and they can often die from overeating, as oats swell up once moist, or wet.
How do I permanently get rid of slugs? ›
8 Tips to Get Rid of Garden Snails & Slugs
- Identify their presence.
- Pick them off by hand.
- Set a trap.
- Create an unfavorable habitat.
- Put up a barrier.
- Switch to drip irrigation.
- Grow plants they don't like.
- Apply an organic slug bait.
Spraying WD40 on the outside of pots or planters will make them too slippery for slugs to climb. This can be effective for pots and planters that sit on a path or patio, but should be kept away from soil or other plants.
