19 Eco-Friendly Ways to Keep Slugs and Snails at Bay
3 min readNov 27, 2023
Welcome to the battle against the slimy invaders wreaking havoc on your garden — slugs and snails. While the traditional arsenal of salt and slug pellets may harm your environment, fear not! We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on 19 eco-friendly and effective methods to protect your plants from these persistent pests.
How To Get Rid Of Slugs And Snails Naturally?
- Egg Shells: A Natural Fortress Egg shells, whether from your kitchen or the beach, can create a formidable barrier that slugs and snails find tough to conquer. The bonus? As the shells break down, they nourish your soil with valuable nutrients.
- Diatomaceous Earth (DE): Nature’s Glass Shield Think of DE as nature’s glass — sharp edges that deter slugs and snails. Remember to reapply after rain to maintain its effectiveness.
- Slug-Repellent and Attractive Plants: Harness the power of nature with garlic, chives, chamomile seedlings, herbs like sage and rosemary, and the aromatic mint. Plant them strategically to repel these garden intruders.
- Coffee Grounds: A Brew of Protection Your morning coffee grounds are not just for your cup; they’re a natural slug and snail repellent. Spread them generously around your plants for a fragrant and protective barrier.
- Beer Traps: Luring Pests to Their Doom Turn your love for beer into a deadly attraction for slugs. Create beer traps, but be cautious if you have curious pets around.
- Copper Tape: Uninviting Boundaries Utilize the aversion slugs and snails have to copper. Create a barrier with copper tape to safeguard your prized foliage.
- Wheat Bran and Corn Bran: A Desiccating Meal Desiccate and repel with piles or rings of wheat or corn bran. Safe for wildlife, these organic options keep your garden healthy.
- Organic Slug Pellets: Iron Phosphate Power Opt for iron phosphate slug pellets for an off-the-shelf organic solution. Use sparingly, especially if you have outdoor pets.
- Nematodes: Tiny Pests for Pests Employ microscopic nematodes as a biological control method. They infect and eliminate slugs and snails, maintaining the organic balance.
- Recycled Wool Waste: Natural Irritation Wool waste, repurposed as pellets, swells upon contact with moisture, revealing irritating fibers that repel pests. Plus, it serves as plant food as it degrades.
- Gravel, Bark, or Wood Chips: Style with Substance Create stylish barriers with gravel, bark, or wood chips. These not only impede movement but also enhance your garden’s aesthetic appeal.
- Birds, Ducks, and Chickens: Nature’s Cleanup Crew Invite natural predators like birds, ducks, and chickens to feast on slugs and snails. Enjoy additional benefits like soil aeration and composting.
- Homemade Snail Repellent: DIY Defense Craft your repellent with garlic or coffee grounds and water. Spray on plants to deter pests without harming them directly.
- Sacrificial Plants: Baiting for Protection Use trap plants like lettuce to divert pests away from your desired plants, safeguarding your garden.
- Citrus Traps: Zesty Snail and Slug Solution Turn citrus peels into traps to attract and relocate slugs and snails away from your precious plants.
- Seaweed: Coastal Repellent If you live near the ocean, collect seaweed to create a natural deterrent. It repels pests with its iodine smell and enriches the soil as it decomposes.
- Removing by Hand: Simple and Effective Though time-consuming, manually removing slugs and snails reduces their population and protects your plants.
- Avoid Marigolds: A Floral Surprise Contrary to popular belief, marigolds attract slugs and snails. Opt for other repellent plants to keep your garden pest-free.
- Watering Your Garden: Timing Matters Control pest activity by watering your garden in the morning. Dry soil at night makes it challenging for slugs and snails to navigate.
Conclusion
In the war against garden pests, you have an arsenal of eco-friendly weapons at your disposal. Experiment with these 19 methods to discover the ones that work best for your garden, ensuring a thriving and pest-free haven for your plants. Happy gardening!
