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Three ways to control slugs organically

Three ways to control slugs organically

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Friday, 26 July 2019 at 11:40 am

Find out how to control slugs organically, without using slug pellets

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Love them or hate them, slugs are a part of the garden ecosystem and are a vital source of food for a wide range of wildlife further up the food chain, including frogs, toads, birds and hedgehogs. However, many of us don't have the perfect balance of predator and pest, and need to resort to alternative methods of control. That said, it's important not to harm other wildlife in the process of controlling slugs, so it's best to do this organically.

Using organic solutions to protect plants from slugs can be a battle, but by keeping vigilant and using several methods at once, it's a battle that can be won. Wet weather will always encourage slugs to attack our plants but, by getting out into the garden to regularly pick them off, together with employing physical barriers and organic traps, you can gain the upper hand.

Wet weather will always encourage slugs to attack our plants but, by getting out into the garden to regularly pick them off, together with employing physical barriers and organic traps, you should be able to win the war against these hungry molluscs

Use beer traps

Slugs seem attracted to beer and, by using a beer trap, you can lure slugs away from your vulnerable plants. Use a bespoke slug trap or a pint glass, filling it one-third with beer (ideally ale not lager). Partially bury the trap, leaving at least 1cm above the soil surface to stop other creatures falling in. The slugs will drown and can be added to your compost heap.

Using a beer trap

Use a calcium spray

Spraying plants with a protective calcium chloride solution, such as Grazers G2 Formula, seems to deter slugs and snails, while not harming any other wildlife in the process. Dedicated use can yield fantastic results, as long as you repeat applications after rain.

Spraying with calcium chloride

Use copper barriers

Slugs will not move across copper, so, by placing a copper ring around emerging shoots you will enable them to grow without being eaten. Bear in mind that, as the leaves grow, they may flop over the copper ring, and be eaten. Slugs (and snails) may also climb other plants and drop down onto the young shoots, to avoid the copper.

Using a copper barrier

Tips for a slug-free garden

Patrol your garden on wet evenings and hand-pick slugs and snails from your plants
If slugs are a huge problem in your garden, consider growing plants they don't eat
Be vigilant - the more often you control them, the fewer problems you'll have
Consider digging a pond – frogs, toads and newts eat small slugs, while birds and hedgehogs will eat them, too

Protecting a hosta from slugs and snails

Other ways to control slugs and snails

How to chose slug-resistant plants pt 1
How to chose slug-resistant plants pt 2
How to control slugs organically
Factfile: slugs

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