HOW TO GET RID OF SLUGS AND SNAILS

If you only have a minor problem with slugs and snails, remove them by hand, crush them or drop them in a bucket of salty or soapy water. Use plastic gloves or tweezers to do this to avoid having slime all over your hands (a little warm water and vinegar will remove this mess). Dispose of them safely as salty water damages your soil.

Prevention is better than cure so try and offer the slugs and snails a better alternative than your plants. What you’re trying to achieve here is offer them a safe haven and eating place as an alternative to your garden bed, somewhere that allows you to collect and dispose of them in the garbage. So all you do is provide shelter for them by laying on the ground a flat piece of timber along with a layer of leaves, inverted cabbage leaves, the rind from oranges, grapefruit, and then come daylight, when they crawl under these for protection from light and the sun, you just dump the slugs and snails in the rubbish bin, do this as often as you see fit.

Beer is a long time favorite, slugs and snails are attracted to the scent of it. Fill a yoghurt container, which you bury at ground level, so the slugs and snails which are attracted to it, fall in and drown. Make sure the container is deep so they can’t crawl out.  An alternative to beer is a mixture of yeast & honey boiled in water. Check daily to empty and refill. If you don’t want to make your own trap try this Slug Trap.

Another useful way to rid the garden of slugs and snails is by using dry dog or cat food. Just get a bowl shaped container, an upturned tin foil pie dish is perfect, be sure to cut some holes in the side so the slugs and snails can get to the food. Next day you come along and put them in a bag and throw them in the bin. You might not want to use this method if you live in an area where the food may attract racoons or opossums.

You can try putting crushed up eggshells or sandpaper around plants to deter slugs and snails which have soft bodies and don’t like crossing rough surfaces.

Spraying slugs and snails is another deterrent; use equal parts vinegar and water or one part ammonia to four parts water.

Slugs and snails don’t like copper as it gives them an electric shock on contact. It is only used as a barrier in the garden and won’t kill the creatures. Slug & Snail Copper Tape can be placed round tree trunks, flower pots, raised beds, and can be removed and used again the following year.

If you are lucky enough to keep chickens or ducks they will prey on slugs and snails and do the job for you. Frogs, toads and birds will too, so try and encourage these in your garden.

There are of course the usual commercial methods specially formulated to rid the garden of slugs and snails such as  Sluggo Snail and Slug Killer which is biodegadable, non toxic and safe to use round wildlife, pets and children.

Find out about other Garden Pests