Winning the War on Slugs & Snails in Your Garden!
Slugs and snails are some of the sneakiest, slimiest garden pests around! They chew holes in leaves, munch on veggies, and love hiding in damp, shady spots. But don't worry! You can stop them fast with the right tools and know-how!
From fun facts to garden-safe solutions, we’ve got the scoop on how to kick these slimy critters to the curb without breaking a sweat!
Slugs: Fast Facts About Slow Movers
- Slugs are soft-bodied and have no shell.
- They can stretch and squeeze into tight spaces.
- Most slugs are night crawlers, meaning they come out when it’s dark, cool, and moist.
- They leave behind a slimy trail, that’s how you know they’ve been munching.
- A single slug can eat up to 40 times its body weight in one day.
- Slugs love lettuce, shade plants like Hosta's, Strawberries, and tender seedlings.
Snails: What You Should Know
- Snails look like slugs but carry a spiral shell on their back.
- They need moisture to survive and often hide under leaves, mulch, or pots.
- Snails feed on many of the same plants as slugs.
- Like slugs, they move by gliding on a muscular foot and leave a silvery trail.
- Snails are hermaphrodites, which means each one has both male and female parts, so they can lay lots of eggs!
Homegrown Ways to Stop Slugs & Snails
You don’t need to spend big bucks to beat these pests. Try these simple, natural methods:
- Handpick Them
Go out at dusk or early morning with a flashlight. Pick ‘em off and drop them into a bucket of soapy water. It's icky but effective! Get the kids involved, but wash your hands after!
- Beer Traps
Sink a shallow dish in the ground and fill it with beer. Slugs love the smell, crawl in, and drown. Swap it out every couple of days.
- Crushed Eggshells or Diatomaceous Earth
Sprinkle around plants. These sharp edges are tough on slug bellies. They won’t want to cross that line. Find diatomaceous earth here.
- Copper Tape or Wire
Slugs and snails get a harmless shock when they touch copper. Wrap tape around pots or raised beds for a slimy-free zone.
- Coffee Grounds
Caffeinated soil? Yes, please! Sprinkle used coffee grounds around plants. It repels slugs and adds nutrients to your soil.
- Keep Things Dry
Water in the morning, not at night. Slugs and snails love moist soil, so keeping the garden dry in the evening helps reduce their party time. Read more on the right way to water here!
- A Barrier of Salt
For small settings and as a quick fix, a line of salt around a juicy plant will keep pests at bay. However, salt has quite a few disadvantages.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Salt on Slugs
-
It’s Inhumane
Salt kills slugs through dehydration, a painful and cruel way to go. -
It Harms Your Soil
Salt can linger in the soil, damaging plant roots and throwing off soil pH. -
It Kills Helpful Microbes
Healthy soil needs good bugs, but salt wipes them out, too.
Chemical Solutions (Use With Care)
If the natural methods don’t cut it, here are stronger tools to try:
- Iron Phosphate Pellets
Look for organic slug baits made with iron phosphate. It’s safe for pets, birds, and bees, and still works like a charm.
- Metaldehyde Slug Baits
Very effective but NOT safe for pets or kids. Use only in closed bait stations and always read the label! There are natural and chemical baits for you to choose.
- Neem Oil Spray
Helps with eggs and soft-bodied pests. Bonus: It also works on aphids and other common bugs! Try this ready to use spray here.
- Sluggo® or similar products
Made for gardeners and approved for organic gardening, just sprinkle around affected areas.
Slime Time Is Over!
Slugs and snails may be slow, but they’re quick to ruin your garden if left alone. Luckily, with these simple tips, you can stay one step ahead of the slime parade. Whether you go natural, chemical, or a mix of both, you’ve got the tools to slug it out and come out on top.
Remember: garden pests don’t stand a chance when you’re armed with know-how and a sprinkle of grit. So go ahead! Give those slimy invaders the boot and show your garden who's the real boss.
Happy (Slug and Snail-Free) Planting!
