Even the smallest slugs play a big role in the ecosystem, feeding on decomposing matter and in turn providing protein for wildlife like raccoons and chipmunks. But no matter how important these disgusting creatures are, when we see them tearing up the plants we have worked so hard to grow in our gardens. if your outer space Overcrowding has become too much, try one of these methods to prevent and eliminate slugs.
1. Distract them with shiny objects,
Copper produces an unpleasant electrical shock when slugs come in contact with it, which will prevent them from passing through. Create a barrier by installing 4 to 6 inches of copper flashing around your beloved garden, or wrapping susceptible plants with copper tape. Not only will the slugs stay away, but you can also reuse the copper flashing for years to come. Keep in mind that this trick will only deter slugs—not kill existing varieties.
2. Get rid of cold and cough Beer.
Slugs love beer as much as they love the leafy greens from your garden plants. Crack a beer and pour it into some margarine tubs, then distribute the containers to various spots around the yard, burying them so that about an inch remains above the ground. Slugs will be attracted by the smell, crawl into the tub and sink overnight. Dispose of the containers in your trash or compost bin the next morning.
Tried and True Advice
“My favorite method for slug control is to set up a few ‘slug pubs.’ Simply fill an old plastic cup with a little old beer or orange juice, bury the cup near the affected plants up to the soil line, and wait for the slugs and snails to crawl out. They can’t resist that sweet, fermented smell!
Laying flat bricks or tiles in my garden beds also works wonders. Slugs and snails hide under these items during the day and are very easy to find and collect.
-Lauren Landers, Contributing Writer
3. Create a bullish barrier,
The slug’s Achilles’ heel is its soft body, which is easily irritated by sharp or dry materials. Use this to your advantage by sprinkling wood ash, diatomaceous earth, gravel, or lava rock in a wide band around individual plants or the entire garden to discourage slugs as they crawl across the bumpy barrier. Don’t want to crawl. Wood ash has the bonus benefit of adding potassium to your soil and raising the pH, so consider choosing that method as your first line of defense.
4. Spread a net of fruits.
The next time you snack on a citrus fruit like a grapefruit or orange, carefully remove the peel so that you can reserve half a bowl-sized portion. Make a hole that is large enough to fit a slug, and then place the fruit upside down like a dome in your garden. The sweet scent will attract slugs and distract them from their usual food: your plants. If a predator doesn’t reach them first, collect the fruit pieces the next morning and kill any surviving slugs by placing them in a container of soapy water.
5. Assemble a search team.
If you’re feeling particularly vindictive, gather your salt shaker and flashlight, and head out for some real slug hunting at night. sprinkle a little salt On every slug you see; It will draw water from its aquatic body, causing the organism to dry out. It sounds terrible, but this is the solution Very effective. Be careful when distributing salt, as too much of the spice can harm your plants and soil.
For the most part, slugs thrive in extremely moist environments. One of the best preventative measures you can take is to ensure that your garden does not remain excessively wet. Space plants apart to allow for air circulation, and water early in the day so excess moisture has time to evaporate before nightfall when the slugs come out to feast.
For a more creative way to get rid of slugs, try using Coca-Cola. Watch our video below to learn more.
