Last year we tried to grow peas, beans and tomatoes but unfortunately lost most of them to slugs! So this year, we set ourselves the task of trying to deter the slugs naturally and without harming them.
What is a slug?
Slugs are gastropods. Gastro means stomach, and pod means foot. Gastropod literally means stomach foot!
Slugs and snails use slime to help them move. Slime protects the underneath of their body from bacteria and sharp, prickly objects and also helps them stick to surfaces when they climb.
Five ways to stop slugs eating your plants
Copper tape
We had mixed success with copper tape. There definitely seemed to be fewer slugs around the planters with tape around them, but the tape did erode a bit, allowing slugs to get in through the gaps.
Why do slugs not like copper tape?
Copper tape gives slugs a harmless mini-electric shock when they try to pass over it, which is why it works as a deterrent.
Eggshells
Crushed-up egg shells are sharp, and so, in theory, should provide a barrier between slugs and plants. We did find some brave slugs who crossed the barrier, though! If you don't eat eggs, try spiky holly leaves instead.
Coffee Grounds
Keep your unwanted coffee grounds ( or ask your local coffee shop nicely ) to sprinkle around your plants. Coffee acts as a natural deterrent to slugs.
Introduce a natural predator
It's not the nicest solution, but if you attract birds into your garden with a bird feeder, they may eat the slugs too!
A beer bath
Slugs seem to be drawn to beer! If you place a flat container with a small amount of beer inside near the plants, the slugs will be drawn to the beer instead of the plants!
My children seem to be rather fond of our army of slugs. I found my 23-month-old crouching down next to one yesterday, telling him he was 'cute', and my 5-year-old timed how long it took one to crawl across a path. It's a shame about the beans, though.
Do you have any slug deterrent ideas for us?
Last Updated on June 19, 2023 by Emma Vanstone
Mary says
Slugs can be a nightmare in the garden. I've often lost entire crops to the blighters and have tried just about everything going to stop them! Using cut-off plastic bottles over tender young seedlings until they get big and robust enough to survive slug onslaught works for some things, like lettuces. This year I have discovered organic slug pellets that are basically high dose iron. They are animal friendly so pose no risk to pets or hedgehogs, birds etc and are slower acting than conventional pellets so don't leave big piles of dead snails and slugs all over the place. They do work though - which is fantastic. Here in Spain they are called Ferramol,am not sure elsewhere.
ScienceSparks says
The plastic bottles are a good idea! Thank you.
sarahelisabeth says
We struggle with slugs too. This year, with all the rain, I've been sorely tempted by slug pellets but so far have resisted! We've lost a fair number of little plants to slugs. We've taken to removing slugs from plants in the evening and disposing of them-probably not good if the children are fond of the them. There have been rather large numbers each time and still the potatoes seem to be taking a hit.
ScienceSparks says
We keep moving ours, but they keep coming back. Its all this rain!
Heena Modi says
Hi
Have you tried the coffee yet?
Did it work?
ScienceSparks says
Not tried it yet, we will let you know!
TheBoyandMe says
I am rather inhumane when it comes to slugs and snails. I tend to use slug pellets. If you come across a kinder method, please pass it on.
ScienceSparks says
We are about to try coffee!
Louise says
Slugs slide along, so they need a surface that allows sliding. Smooth and nearly smooth surfaces do this. Would that be about surface tension? Fluids? Forces and motion?
Construct a barrier that does not allow the slugs to slide over it.
Some sand will do this, but you could experiment with adding water to the sand. Sawdust apparently works too, but that may be something to do with the way sawdust smells when damp. Coffee grounds are gritty and reputedly work. Experiment. Gravel? Bark chips? Egg shells? Chop bones? Scrunched paper? Pop stick fence? Cardboard fence? Masking tape? Oily boards? Doggy poo? Feathers? You could ring individual plants and label them with the deterrent. Photograph daily. Make a chart and display findings.
If it is a success then you have all the illustrations and information for a children's reading book or Christmas gift for family members.
catherine @mummylion says
this year's been terrible for slugs for me too.copper tape (wide) seems to work around my plant pots, it's saved my lettuces 9though i did fiNd a snail on the wrong side of the tape once)but they've made mincemeat of my sprouts and mangetouts, in the ground.
ive put broken egg shells round my sweet potato plants now to see if that works but ive used organic slug pellets too but they seems to dissolve after a while.
i may have to get nasty and buy pellets but ive got a dog and small child so i'm reluctant. better luck next year maybe?
Katie Furber says
Have you tried nematodes? They are natuarally occuring in the soil and completely harmless to pets, wildlife and humans. 95% of slugs are underground so any deterrents put on the soil only get 5% of the pests, whereas nematodes go down into the soil. A little more expensive than some other slug control products but definatley the most effective!
ScienceSparks says
oooh thats interesting. Thank you. x
maryanne @ mama smiles says
Slugs can be awful this way! Hope you find a solution...
And thanks for sharing with Learning Laboratory =)
Jacq says
The slugs in the UK are HUGE! At home in NZ, they are about 1/4 of the size.
ScienceSparks says
We have had some massive ones too!
maggy, red ted art says
Oooh I confess to having resorted to pellets! We tried beer in a glass (they like it and drown), but it was pretty yukky!
Thanks for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy
ScienceSparks says
hmmm, yes we fdoun the beer a bit gross!
Erika says
We tried beer in a cup in a hole in the ground & it worked well but also found a drip drink toad too☹️ So we stopped that
Jami says
I spray my seedlings with "Critter Ritter" It's a pepper spray. I don't usually have a problem with slugs and bugs eating my plants. Perhaps, the pepper in the spray has a similar effect as salt? I really don't know. But I do have to respray a couple times a week, especially if we get a heavy rain. I stop spraying when the plants get too big to cover with my bottle of spray.
Also, the slugs love our dog food. Perhaps you can set a tray of dog food out to deter them from the plants? However, that might just provide a more suitable habitat to encourage an increase in slug population.