How can I deter slugs and snails from my garden naturally. The worst garden is partially shaded...?

Question

and there's cedar hedging near. We're on the west coast so the rain has been plentiful. I feed my clippings and other yard waste to the two chickens I keep so I can't use pesticides.

thx

Answer 1

YES !!!! BEER is the ultimate solution. Put some in a tin dish or a cap from a spray can of some kind and it will luer the snails and slugs into the beer and then dispose of them properly.

Answer 2

I think diatomaceous earth works. It lacerates the underside of the slug/snail. You would sprinkle it in a band around the area you want to protect (it's white) and it is not harmful to other animals. You should be able to get it where they sell pool supplies. But by far the best way is to go out in the early morning, just after it is light but before the sun has risen and hand pick the slugs. You can either drop them into a bucket filled with water or beer, or if you're not squeamish, cut them in half with an old pair of scissors. If you cut them in half and leave them, they will attract more slugs, sort of like bait. When I come across slugs later in the day, and you will if you have heavy shade, I "teach them to fly" (toss them out into a sunny spot on the road.)

One other thing, if you use the diatomaceous earth, don't inhale it.

Answer 3

beer works, but it is the smell of yeast that draws them, you may want to sprinkle a bit of dried yeast in the beer as well.
Also, planting various herbs helps: thyme, basil fennel as well as onions and garlic

Answer 4

Partially submerge a tin can in the soil and pour a little beer into
it. Slugs crawl in and can't get out and drown.
Salt and diatomaceous earth(ground chalk) are only one time
shots. You can't keep putting that into the ground every year
as you will poison your soil.

Answer 5

beer in an aluminum pie shell. They get in, have something to drink and then swell enormously large. Be prepared to get rid of them the next morning. Salt also works but it burns them alive like acid. Its not very humane. But it does work---you have to get each one individually. Slugs are so nasty. Once my father picked one up with a paper napkin and threw it on my uncle (his brother-in-law). It landed on his cheek and he went running down the street screaming until he got home and scalded his face to get rid of the slime. This man would not speak to my father for months after that. And I don' t blame him!! Yuck!

Answer 6

I've heard beer, but you may want to think of part of the reason that's drawing them there. The ground is wet. You may be watering it too much, especially if you water in the evening.

Answer 7

i have also heard bout the beer but try some small wood chips they dont like the feel of it and its great for the garden too

Answer 8

beer works great, this is no joke,,put out some small dishes,,see what happens

Answer 9

I'm no expert but lots of salt??

Answer 10

sand.. snails and slugs cant stand it..