Question:
Natural way to rid your yard of slugs?
jerseykitty
2009-04-13 14:22:45 UTC
I have a beautiful collection of hostas and ferns that get destroyed by slugs every year. I don’t want to use the chemicals they suggest to use due to my two small dogs. Are there any organic or natural remedies for slug removal, and or deterrent. I have used the beer in a bowl and that helps but doesn’t come close to working for all of them. And the bowls of beer in my yard are not great for my puppies either nor are they very attractive.
Ten answers:
Rob E
2009-04-13 15:49:04 UTC
There are many things that you can garden with naturally that will rid your garden of slugs and snails.

There are natural predators. Called nematodes, that are almost invisible and creep around your garden and attack them.they crawl away and die underground usually, a short while later. These can be bought online, or garden nurseries sell them.

Copper tape works well if you have any areas that can be enclosed, they get an electric shock from this, and wont cross it- the tape can be adhesive or rigid copper barrier can be used.

The diatomaceous earth works well, as mentioned, and is early cheap. I have less success with egg shells and sharp grit, but could be worth a try.

There are also animal friendly slug pellets that are now sold, which contain an Iron based compound, safe for pets and wildlife, which I use. I will find a link for you, later on.

Removing fallen autumn debris removes some of their shelter over winter, and I have far fewer now, since I meticulously clean my garden in fall/autumn (ok this doesnt help right now, but is good preventative action for next summer).

Overall, with the pellets that are pet safe, as well as the natural predators, you should be able to have as good as gotten rid of them. Remove any damp summer hiding spots too, and keep your lawns well clipped at the edges, as theyll often shelter around these, are theyre cooler and moister than being exposed to sunlight.

Hope this helps. Good luck! Rob
Lawrence
2009-04-13 14:47:53 UTC
Get a bag of crushed oyster shells. Slugs, grubs, and Cut worms all do not like crawling over rough, sharp items. You can safely place these in the planting hole and around the plant base. Usually, just a little goes a long way and you only need do this once or twice a season. Make sure there is a good sprinkling of shells to the circumference of the outer leaves. Also, course salt is good. it dissolves slugs. It is more costly and you need constant reapplication.
anonymous
2009-04-13 15:02:49 UTC
If the beer bait cannot keep up with the slug population, try attracting predators. Are you sure the dogs aren't getting the beer first?



Snakes, toads, lizards, ducks, chickens, salamanders, and eastern box turtles all eat slugs.



Maybe add a water feature, or large rocks for the reptiles to sun on. If you alter the environment, the slugs will leave.



http://digital.library.unt.edu/permalink/meta-dc-1506:1

This is a USDA pamphlet on slugs.
clueless
2009-04-13 15:14:47 UTC
I say you just get some salt and go on a slug rampage
jay
2009-04-13 14:45:58 UTC
diatomaceous earth is an organic product you should be able to find at your local garden center. it can be sprinkled around and in garden beds and wont harm your your puppies. this in conjunction with the beer traps should do a number on your slugs.
anonymous
2015-05-01 19:27:15 UTC
natural rid yard slugs: https://bitly.im/c21/natural-way-to-rid-your-yard-of-slugs
marina L
2009-04-13 19:19:52 UTC
dont use beer it just atracks them.go to a gardening center and tell them the problem.got some stuff last year that the snails love to eat and it just makes them stop eating and drinking and they die.it is also perfectly safe for the environment and other animals.it is amazing stuff
Jim
2009-04-13 14:28:39 UTC
AK-47. Just kidding! I heard a plate with beer in it will attract the slugs at night and they will drink it and then die. (just like us, but not in an auto accident).
A
2009-04-13 14:27:13 UTC
a little bit of beer in a small short container close to your plants, the slugs wont go through it because it is corrosive to them. after a while they will go else where.
~Not*A*Beauty*School*Drop*Out~
2009-04-13 14:27:04 UTC
Crush eggshells and scatter them where ever the problem is.



It kills them off because it cuts them whenever they slide over them.


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