Let Nature Take Care of It
- Ever wonder what chipmunks were good for? Mine leave me piles of empty, broken snail shells on my porch steps! So leave the little critters alone.... Submitted By: Ginny D.
Homemade Remedies
- I used the beer method - but in place of saucers I reused bottles. Just drink the beer and leave a bit in the bottom - lay the bottle on its side and press into the ground so the opening is atop of the soil line. I have seen quite a few drowned in the bottle this way when I checked the following morning. So this is working for me. The other thing I tried was directly spraying the slugs (at night when they are out eating my garden goods) with a strong solution of salt water. I water the next day to minimize the damage from the salt on my plants. A local farmer told my husband to sprinkle snuff around the plants for slugs - I will try that next. I did read about crushed egg shells (you grind them into a powder) and sprinkle about - I did that too. So far the damage has been minimal with these methods. Submitted By: Becky Bumper-Crop
- I have 2 methods for dealing with snails & slugs: one is crushed egg shells, which the snails and slugs do not like to cross since they cut up their bodies. I collect egg shells in a separate container, put them in a plastic bag, and step on them to make jagged pieces (not too large, not too small). Spread evenly around susceptible plants and re-apply as needed.
The second method uses copper, which apparently gives off a light electric charge to our slippery friends. A copper wire around the perimeter of hostas just as they begin emerging works wonders. There is also a copper mesh on the market for taller or larger applications, but I have not used it myself. I use copper around perennials and egg shells in the vegetable garden where things get moved, replaced, and re-planted. Since I have begun using these methods, my neighbour has been complaining of an increase in slugs and snails! Go figure ... Submitted By: Barbara
- I use crushed egg shells. Beer tends to attract every slug in the neighborhood (at least it seems that way!). Be sure to rinse out and microwave the shells for a minute or two to sterilize them or you will have rodents coming to your garden. The sharp shells will cut the slugs and they will die. I sprinkle them around my hostas and anything else that shows signs of slug damage. Submitted By: Cynthia
- Place beer bottle or similar with about half cup of beer therein on its side in garden, opening level with ground. Recently trapped 52 juvenile slugs in one night. Submitted By: Bryan
- This kills the little suckers! 1 and a half cups each of water and ammonia and 2 tablespoons of Murphy's Oil Soap. Put in a good spray bottle shake and start spraying. Submitted By: Linda
- I have used small cans and put beer in them and to my surprise it does work. as long as the tins don't tip over. One night I put 4 empty tuna cans in my garden and poured in the beer, and by morning I bet I had over 50 slugs in the cans. Even though it didn't totally get rid of the slimy guys it did help. Submitted By: Sue
- Copper Shocks/Deters Slugs With Success I have a cottage garden that is vulnerable to forest/woodland behind my property, therefore, there are countless slugs/snails who love to visit my garden, but they don't hang around for too long now because they would starve. After much research, I decided to build a raised bed & surround it with bendable copper piping, which can best be described as "boarder control". I also purchased copper ribbon & glue gunned it just beneath the rims of all of my planters/pots. These two particular methods of using copper is highly successful. All other methods mostly failed, my beloved collection of Dahlia's & Hostas are thriving!!! Submitted By: Janet
- One morning I had over 50 slugs in my garden. Each morning before leaving for work, using gardening clippers (shears) I cut them in half and threw them in the garbage can. Some there were almost none left and each year there were fewer and fewer to deal with. Submitted By: Barbara
