Natural Ways to Get Rid of Garden Slugs

Garden slugs seem to be harmless. After all, they are small and look similar to freshwater snails without their shells, but they are far from innocuous. Surprisingly, garden slugs are able to eat their weight in foliage daily, and a garden with an infestation of slugs can be devastated within a matter of weeks or even days. They especially love lettuce, cabbage, and hostas, but they also love other popular garden plants. When garden slugs are first discovered it is important to get rid of them as soon as possible, and many natural ways are just as effective as caustic and potentially harmful chemical methods. Consider the following natural ways to get rid of garden slugs instead of using chemical products, and rid your outdoor plants of pests that could otherwise eventually destroy them.

Copper Flashing, Tape, or Mesh

Salt is a natural way to kill garden slugs, but not very practical since it has to come in contact with their slime-covered bodies. Contrary to popular belief, their bodies naturally contain salt. When the salt comes in contact with copper it creates a small but uncomfortable electrical charge. To get rid of these pests for good, consider placing copper flashing, copper tape, or copper mesh around the perimeter of the garden or individual plants. This natural way to get rid of slugs is effective, but slugs already in the garden or on plants will have to be handpicked or removed using another natural method.

Iron Phosphate Baits

Not all baits contain potentially harmful chemicals. Iron phosphate baits contain an active ingredient that is combined with natural ingredients such as ordinary flour. These types of natural baits work well, and they do not contain ingredients that could harm kids, pets, wildlife, or beneficial insects. They are relatively inexpensive and a great choice for anyone with a slug problem.

Ammonia and Water Mixture

A combination of 2/3 cup of water and 1/3 cup of household ammonia is another safe and natural way to get rid of garden slugs. Ammonia is safe to spray on the soil, but it is not safe to use on all garden plants. To be certain it will not kill tender plants, spray a small inconspicuous area, and wait three days to see if the plant was adversely affected. If not, give that particular type of plant a complete misting of ammonia and water. This method will kill the slugs by causing dehydration, and it is the easiest way to reach slugs beneath leaves and in the nooks and crannies of plants.

Stale Beer

Stale beer is a natural product to kill slugs, and this natural way to get rid of slugs can become a decorative part of the garden. Decorative resin containers are available for this specific purpose, and they look like regular garden decor. The yeast in the beer attracts the slugs, and once they fall in they are unable to escape and go back to munching on plants. However, a simple bowl filled with stale beer is just as effective as store-bought decorative slug containers.

Plant a Bountiful Garden

If you prefer not to kill garden slugs, go completely natural and plant a garden that is plentiful enough for yourself and for insects and wildlife that may stop by for a feast. More than likely they will not clean out the entire garden, and although they are one of the most destructive pests, they can be beneficial. Not only will they dine on tender foliage, but they will also consume dead and rotting matter.

Handpick Pests for a Fish Pond

Those with a fish pond can find natural food in the garden. Slugs are the equivalent to escargot for outdoor fish, and they are free and completely natural. Since slugs are nocturnal creatures, go out with a flashlight just before sunrise or shortly after sunset, and pick off slugs by hand. You will be ridding the garden of destructive pests while providing natural food for fish. This is the most natural way to get rid of slugs since it will benefit other wildlife, and when picked off on a regular basis, they can be adequately controlled without the use of any chemical products.