One small animal can become a nightmare for avid gardeners. That's a nasty slug.
From munching on heads of lettuce to destroying young seedlings, slugs can leave a trail of destruction in their path. And you may have started seeing them a lot lately. Slugs are active most of the year, but are a particular problem in the spring when young growth is plentiful for the slugs to feed on.
“In fact, slugs are active year-round, but gardeners tend to notice slug activity in the spring,” says Shannan Godwin, horticulture expert at J Parker's.
“Slugs prefer the warm, humid climate of spring and breed in all seedlings, bulbs and plant shoots, so this is when the damage is most noticeable.”
Although it's nearly impossible to get rid of slugs completely, there are ways to reduce the amount of slugs in your garden and keep them away from your home. Read 4 expert tips on how to achieve this…
What plants do slugs prefer?
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Gardener Carol Klein told Country Living magazine in a previous interview: “If it weren't for slugs and snails, we'd all be knee-deep in debris and trash, because that's what they do. They munch on it!”
But if biodiversity harmony has not yet been achieved in outdoor habitats, how can you protect certain plants in your garden from slugs? Slugs eat soft, juicy, fleshy leaves and stems. I find it especially delicious. Plants that need a little extra protection include:
Sweet Pea Hosta Lettuce Dahlia All Seedlings and Seedlings
Royal gardener Jack Stokes also told Country Living that cruciferous leaves can be used to repel slugs from other plants. he says: “Another good idea is if you get some Brassica leaves. For example, if you have Brussels sprouts growing in your garden, tear off part of the leaf and add another corner of the border you want to keep in mind. Find out. Check back daily.
“Place a cruciferous leaf on the ground and place a stone on top to keep it in place. If you go out early in the morning and pick up a cruciferous leaf, you'll likely find five or six slugs on each one.”
Natural ways to prevent slugs from your garden
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1.Egg shell
Edge the border with upturned eggshells. The sharp edges prevent slugs from sliding off because they don't like the touch.
2. Sand or gravel
Create a rough area by placing sand or gravel around your plants to make it harder for slugs to reach your hungry plants.
In fact, Rosie Files, head gardener at Chiswick House and Gardens, told Country Living that if slugs are a problem, lots of gravel is the solution.
she says: “I have worked in some historic kitchen gardens criss-crossed by gravel paths, which are very inhospitable places for slugs and repellent. You may seek rest, but you won't go on any further adventures.
“In my own garden, I installed a gravel area a few years ago, invested in horticultural sand, and put protective rings on the very young and tender ones. But the truth is, I I'm very wary of planting anything that's high on the list of slug victims in a shady, north-facing garden. My hostas are in pots, on a bench, surrounded by gravel, and in a gravel pot dressing. is on.”
3. Mixed planting and avoidance of plants
Some plants actually repel slugs, so try planting greenery you don't like next to things slugs like to keep slugs away from your entire area. These are called companion plants.
Aromatic plants such as roses, ferns, grasses, and hydrangeas naturally deter slugs thanks to their strong scents and textured leaves (especially those that are fuzzy, shiny, or leathery). Slugs can ruin a beautiful border overnight, so choosing these slug-resistant plants will help keep the pests at bay.
Shannan Godwin, horticulture expert at J Parker's, said: “Given the fact that slugs benefit the wider ecosystem and slug pellets can put other beneficial garden organisms at risk. , winter is the perfect time to plan how to manage slugs for spring.”
“Whether it's creating a slug-free zone to welcome slugs into other areas of your garden, or focusing on planting slug-resistant plants to deter pests, start now before slugs take hold in the spring. There’s a lot to consider.”
Plants that slugs dislike include:
Allium family – including Allium giganteum, aromatic mint, chives, garlic, fennel, lemur, and geranium
5. Attracts slug predators
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Predators such as frogs and newts help keep slug populations in check, so plants near the pond are already at an advantage. In addition, birds such as ducks also eat slugs, especially khakis, campbells and Indian runners.
Rosie adds: “When slugs come in, I remind myself that even slugs are part of the wildlife balance in my garden. So the discomfort I feel when I damage my plants is actually caused by the birds. It’s their next meal…I keep the birdbath water fresh and the feeders stocked.”
6. Start mulching
Natural mulch is extremely beneficial for your garden, but have you tried it yourself? “Mulching is a great way to protect your plants from slugs, especially if you create a solid mulch barrier around your plants.” says Shannen.
“Sharp sand, ash, and bark can help enclose plants, and most slugs will not cross fences. You can also try mulch materials such as wood pellets, cat litter, and coffee grounds. However, these can help prevent slug infestation, but remember, slugs are lurking underground on the surface, so you can't completely eliminate the risk.”
7. Newspaper
If you don't like your hands getting slimy, try laying down some damp newspaper on a hot day. Slugs crawl under it in search of shelter. At the end of the day, collect the paper and slugs.
8. Seaweed
Next time you go to the beach, try collecting seaweed. Not only are the green ones great for the soil, but they also act as natural slug repellents. Mulch around the plant bed, but be careful not to touch the plant stems directly.
9. Hair
Placing a protective barrier of hair around your plants will help deter slugs. Go to the hairbrush or dog bed and procure it.
Other common methods that are very harmful:
1. Beer
Slugs are attracted to beer. Some people place half-filled containers of beer in their flowerbeds. The slug cannot resist and slips into the container. However, they eventually drown.
2. Copper tape
If you place a ring of copper tape around the plant, the metal will react with the slug's slime and give the plant an electric shock.
3. Salt
Slugs don't react well to salt. Salt dehydrates animals and they die within minutes.
A guide to getting rid of other common pests
how to get rid of ants
How to get rid of house flies
How to get rid of silverfish
How to prevent slugs and snails from entering your home
Controlling slugs in your garden is one thing, but how do you get rid of them in your home? And how can you prevent them from coming inside in the first place?
We asked RHS entomologist Hayley Jones to share her tips on how to prevent slugs from entering your home and her natural pest control methods. It is also important to remember that the sale of slug pellets is currently prohibited in the UK.
“The slug seen indoors is usually the yellow slug 'Limacus flavus'. It is a medium-sized slug (up to 13cm long), elongated and yellow, green or tan with a pale mottled body.” says Haley. .
Slugs usually come inside your home looking for warmth, food, and shade. Knowing what attracts them may help you keep them at bay. “Yellow slugs primarily feed on mold and algae, but they may also eat leftovers, pet food and compost,” Haley says.
“Slugs are attracted to dark, damp shelters such as vents and drains. Slugs are completely nocturnal, so in unexpected places indoors, only slimy footprints can be seen, and by morning the slugs have disappeared. has already retreated.”
Meanwhile, Royal Horticulturist Jack Stokes, working with Ort Index, added that they could be attracted to moisture. “They like humid areas, so if you can keep the area in and around your home as dry as possible, that helps. They don't like to go into dry homes, so moisture in your home can be a problem. If there is, you may have a problem.”
If you find slimy slug tracks, use a flashlight to highlight their tracks and follow them to your home's entrance. For external doors, block the gaps with draft excluders.
For larger gaps or cracks, block them with a more permanent filler.
Editing a gravel garden
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