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How to Get Rid of Slugs in the Garden: Four Effective Methods
13.05.2023 06:20
Slugs are gastropods that can cause great damage to garden plants by eating leaves, flowers, fruits and roots.
Slugs love a damp and shady environment, so they often appear after rain or watering. How to deal with slugs in the garden and protect your harvest? There are several effective methods that we will tell you about in this article.
Method 1. Slug traps
One of the easiest and most accessible ways to get rid of slugs is to set up traps on the site. Traps can be different:
1. Beer traps. Slugs are attracted to the smell of beer, so you can use it as bait. To do this, dig several plastic cups or cans into the ground so that the rim is at ground level. Pour beer into them and leave them overnight. In the morning, you will find many drowned slugs in the traps, which you should throw away.
2. Sweet traps. Slugs also like sweets, so you can use sugar, honey or jam as bait. To do this, you need to grease pieces of boards, lids or other objects and spread them around the area. Slugs will stick to the sticky surface and will not be able to come off. In the morning, you can collect the traps and destroy the slugs.
3. Plant traps. Slugs also like some plants, such as cabbage, cucumbers, pumpkins or squash. You can use them as bait by cutting them into pieces and spreading them around the area. The slugs will eat the plants and stay on them. In the morning, you can lift the traps and throw out the slugs.
Method 2. Slug control products
If you want to get rid of slugs quickly and effectively, you can use special preparations that are sold in garden stores or online stores.
Slug repellents are usually granules that are sprayed on the soil surface or scattered around plants. The granules contain substances that are toxic to slugs, causing their death or sterilization. Some products also contain appetizers, substances that attract slugs to the granules.
Examples of slug control products: Bros, Groza-3, Slizneed, StopUlit, Ferramol, Predator, etc. When using slug control products, you must follow the instructions for use and observe safety precautions.
Method 3. Folk remedies for slugs
If you do not want to use chemicals against slugs, you can use folk remedies, which can also be effective.
Folk remedies for slugs are based on repelling or killing pests with natural substances. Here are some of them:
• Lime or ash. These substances have an alkaline reaction and irritate the skin of slugs. You can sprinkle them on the beds or circle the plants with them. Slugs will avoid such places and will not damage the plants.
• Salt or vinegar. These substances are acidic and will dehydrate slugs. You can sprinkle them on paths or areas where slugs congregate. The salt or vinegar will kill the slugs or make them go away.
• Coffee grounds or tea leaves. These substances contain caffeine and tannins, which are toxic to slugs. You can sprinkle them on your garden beds or line your plants with them. Coffee grounds or tea leaves will repel slugs and protect your plants.
Method 4. Preventing the appearance of slugs
The best way to combat slugs is to prevent them from appearing on your property. To do this, you need to create conditions that make it uncomfortable or unprofitable for slugs to live in your garden. Here are some recommendations:
• Remove plant debris and trash from the area. This will reduce the amount of hiding places and food for slugs.
• Aerate and loosen the soil. This will improve its structure and drainage, and also reduce the moisture and temperature of the soil, which is unfavorable for slugs.
• Maintain optimum planting density. This will ensure good lighting and ventilation of the beds, and will also reduce the likelihood of infection by diseases and pests.
• Grow plants that slugs repel or dislike. These include garlic, onions, mint, thyme, basil, calendula, ageratum, nemesia, carnation, etc. You can plant them along the beds or between plants that need protection from slugs.
Slugs in the garden are an unpleasant problem that can ruin your harvest and your mood. But if you follow our advice, you can get rid of these pests or prevent their appearance. Choose the method of dealing with slugs that suits you best and enjoy your garden!
