Summer is a wonderful time for our gardens, with vegetable patches and flowerbeds brimming with glorious plants. However, this does unfortunately invite a heap of unwanted visitors, like slugs and snails, who come out to reap the rewards of your hard work.
Periods of wet weather spell even more good news for slugs and disaster for your garden landscaping. "These slimy creatures thrive in moist environments and can quickly multiply, resulting in significant damage to plants and crops," says Rob Clarke, technical manager at Westland.
If you're struggling to get rid of a slug infestation (or simply want to prevent them in the first place), we've revealed nine of the best methods for banishing them from your garden, each approved by pest control experts.
1. Put copper tape around your plants
Adding copper tape to the top of plant pots and garden edging is an easy first step in deterring slugs and snails.
"The copper deters the pests by giving them a very small electrostatic shock, which won’t cause them any serious harm or long-term damage, but will be enough to stop them from attacking your plants," explains John Stewart, Technical Training Manager at Pelsis Group.
"In terms of aesthetics, this is an exceptionally subtle solution that will go largely unnoticed. The robust nature of the copper tape not only ensures its durability but also allows it to withstand the elements."
This self-adhesive tape can be applied directly to the edges of your pots. While slugs will experience a mild electric shock, it doesn't kill them or cause any lasting harm, making it a semi-humane method.
John is the technical training manager at Pelsis Group, delivering innovative pest control and garden care products. He is a pest control professional and graduate biologist.
2. Sprinkle chemical-free barrier pellets
"Slug pellets (metaldehyde pellets) [have recently been banned], as they were deemed a huge danger to birds and other mammals," explains John Stewart.
However, there are safer barrier pellets available which won't harm wildlife. Some products, such as Bio Barrier's Slug and Snail Pellets (available at Robert Dyas), will even break down to release nutrients into the soil.
"They form a chemical-free barrier as a quick and effective solution for keeping slugs and snails at bay. Simply place them around the plant's stem to form a physical barrier, which will make it difficult for pests to get through," says John.
Suitable for organic gardening, these pellets will prevent slugs from crossing over and reaching your plants. As an added bonus, the pellets contain a slow-release fertiliser that will feed your plants.
3. Try slug nematodes
"Slug nematodes are another effective biocontrol method. These microscopic worms parasitise slugs by entering their bodies and causing fatal infections. When applied to soil, nematodes target slugs specifically without harming beneficial organisms, making them a safe and natural option for reducing slug populations," says Ryan Fowley, pest removal expert at Excel Pest Services.
Be aware that when you're buying slug nematodes, they are living organisms and have a short shelf life of around two weeks. So only buy them if you plan on using them fairly immediately; otherwise, they won't be effective.
Nematodes naturally occur in the soil anyway, and applying them merely increases the amount to which your slugs are exposed. They are safe for wildlife, children and pets, and can be applied using a standard watering can or a special nematode applicator.
Safe for humans, pets and wildlife, these nematodes are an effective and natural slug repellent, getting to work within seven to 10 days.
4. Lay beer traps around plants
Beer traps are a homemade option for gardeners wishing to keep slugs away from their plants.
"Planting a container, such as an old ice cream tub containing two to three inches of beer, in your soil can be the perfect solution to getting rid of slugs and snails – keeping them away from your house and home, as well as plants," says Simon Wardle, garden and patio expert at Armstrong Cheshire Patios.
It’s the yeast in beer that attracts snails and slugs. So, if you are looking for a humane method, be advised that the idea here is that slugs and snails drown in the beer trap.
Armstrong Cheshire, an online timber, patio and building materials supplier. Simon is passionate about helping homeowners and professionals achieve their dream outdoor spaces more affordably, and is an expert on all aspects of patio, paving and decking
5. Encourage natural predators
For those that prefer completely organic gardening approaches, John Stewart advises cultivating an environment that is friendly to natural slug predators, such as hedgehogs, toads, frogs and ground beetles. This is a surefire way to deter any slimy pests.
"Installing a pond, wild niches (twigs, logs, dead plants etc.), dry stone garden walls, hedges or shrubs will also help attract wildlife to your garden, and keep slugs and snails well away from your prized plants," says John.
6. Try growing slug-repellent plants
There are some garden plants, like the shade plant hostas, which slugs will absolutely devour. But there are also those that they tend to leave alone. So if you're fed up with finding holes in your leaves then try growing something that won't attract and may even repel these slippery pests.
Simon Wardle recommends:
- Mint (available at Suttons)
- Peppermint (available at B&Q)
- Lavender (available at Gardening Express)
- Sage (available at Crocus)
7. Remove them manually
“Going on a slug and snail hunt in your garden is a very humane way to dispose of any critters that may have infiltrated your garden," says Daniel Scholfield, garden expert at The Expert Gate Company
"Simply go out on a humid night with a torch and collect them all up in a bucket. Relocate them to another part of your garden where they won’t cause much trouble. Add them to your compost bin, or take them out to the great outdoors," says Daniel.
8. Add gritty materials to the soil around plants
“One method to naturally deter slugs from your patio planting is to sprinkle sand or gravel down to create a rough surface for them to travel on. This makes an uncomfortable surface for them, so often deters them from your space," says Steven Walley, patio and paving expert from London Stone.
The same goes for ash, coffee grounds and egg shells, which can be added to the soil around plants.
John Clifford is a director of Gardenstone, a leading garden landscaping retailer based in the UK. With over 30 years in the gardening industry and continual work alongside The National Trust, John has amassed an extensive range of gardening and planting knowledge.
9. Water your garden early in the day
As we previously mentioned, slugs love moisture, so a good way to eliminate them from your garden is to water your plants early in the day. This way, the top layer of soil will be completely dry by nighttime, which is when most slug activity occurs, says Tony King, pest control expert at The Pied Piper.
Tony King is the owner and manager of The Pied Piper, a leading pest control service that has been in operation for more than 25 years. His team of professionals can help eliminate everything from mouse infestations to slug intrusions.
FAQs
Why is my garden full of slugs?
"Slugs love moisture, plants, organic matter, and shade. If your garden has a lot of this, then it's likely that this is why they're flocking. They feed on organic matter and plants, hide in shady areas and of course, as the UK gets a lot of rain, they thrive in damp conditions," says John Clifford.
Slugs can be an absolute nuisance, but by following these nine top tips, peace will hopefully be restored once again in your garden!
If these slimy pests are now entering your home, our guide on how to get rid of slugs will come in handy. Or, if your garden is particularly damp, you may want to learn how to fix waterlogged soil.
