Top tips for slug control without chemicals

Slugs are a common garden pest that can cause damage to plants, fruits, and vegetables. From 1st April 2022, metaldehyde slug pellets were banned so gardeners are now resorting to alternative methods to deter these common plant-eating pests.

Although the slugs haven’t made an appearance yet, it won’t be long before the weather warms up and they begin to frequent your garden or vegetable patch.

Here are several natural and non-toxic ways to manage them to get a bumper harvest this year.

Read more:

• Peter’s gardening tips for March
• Gardening Masterclass: How to prune roses
• Pippa Greenwood also makes some suggestions

Here are some top tips for slug control without chemicals:

1. Handpicking: Handpick slugs off plants and surrounding areas and dispose of them in a bucket of soapy water. This method is labour-intensive but is effective for small infestations.
2. Beer traps: Place a shallow dish of beer in the garden. Slugs are attracted to the beer, fall in, and drown. Empty the dish regularly and refill it with fresh beer.
3. Copper barriers: Use copper tape or wire around the edges of planters, raised beds, or garden beds to create a barrier that slugs will not cross. Copper gives off a small electric charge that repels slugs.
4. Diatomaceous earth: Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around plants. Diatomaceous earth is made from the fossilised remains of diatoms and is abrasive to slugs, causing them to dehydrate and die.
5. Eggshells: Crushed eggshells can be scattered around plants to deter slugs. The sharp edges of the eggshells will irritate the slugs and prevent them from crawling over them.
6. Coffee grounds: Sprinkle used coffee grounds around plants. The caffeine in the coffee is toxic to slugs and will deter them from crawling over them.
7. Nematodes: Apply beneficial nematodes to the soil. These microscopic organisms are natural predators of slugs and will kill them without harming plants.
8. Companion planting: Plant herbs and flowers that are known to repel slugs, such as mint, garlic, and marigolds, around susceptible plants.

By using these methods, you can control slugs without the need for chemicals. Remember to monitor your garden regularly for slug infestations and take action as soon as possible to prevent damage to your plants.

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Sally - Silversurfer's Editor

Mother of three grown-up daughters and a proud grandma too, I am the ultimate multi-tasker and am passionate about my role as Silversurfers Website Editor and Social Media Manager. Always on the lookout for all things that will interest and entertain our community. Fueling fun for the young at heart!

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