How can I keep slugs off my plants??

Question

And I don't want to do the beer thing! Thanks!

Answer 1

Use scratchy material around your plants like lava rock, pine needles, sand, cedar shavings, egg shells, diatomaceous earth, etc. That will keeps out slugs & will cut, dehydrate & eliminate those that try to get to get in.

Water plants only in the morning so the ground isn't wet in the evening. Studies show this can reduce slug damage by 80%. Get rid of material they can breed in...like decaying leaves.

Certain plants will also repel slugs: Mint, Sage, Foxglove, Chicory, Ginger, Sage, Fennel, garlic, chives, red lettuce, red cabbage, sunflower, & can be interplanted among your other plants or as a border. You can also use them as a mulch. Seaweed is another good mulch.

Encourage natural slug predators such as frogs, and birds.

Here's more natural ways to get rid of slugs, such as iron phosphate, coffee grounds, etc:
http://www.homestead.com/ipmofalaska/files/slugcontrol.html
http://eartheasy.com/grow_nat_slug_cntrl.htm

Good Luck! Hope this is helpful.

Answer 2

Crushed egg shells also work the same way. Also they are alot cheaper.
If that doesn't work cut a coffee cup down to about three inches, bury it in the ground so that the top is flush with the grade. Pour some beer in it. The slugs can't resist the beer and will die a glorious drunken death.

Answer 3

Diatomacious earth will work. It's made up of fossilized microorganisms with spiky silica shells. Very irritating to slugs. Also, try beer traps. Pour a little into a shallow pan, put it into the garden and be surprised at how many of them get blitzed and drown in it!

Answer 4

Try DE from the pool store.It is like a sand but finer and the slugs can't stand it.It irritates their skin.Sprinkle it around the base of the plants

Answer 5

Beer!! It actually works, use a shallow container, slugs love it. Plus it has no enviromental effects.

Answer 6

Sprinkle Epsom Salt (not table salt) around your plants and they will be gone.