5 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Slugs in Your Garden

Slugs in moderation can enrich your garden soil with nutrients and help break down organic matter. On the other hand, slugs can cause significant damage to your plants if they overgrow your garden. Slugs eat ornamentals, fruits, vegetables and flowers, which can harm your plants. Diseases can also be transmitted to plants by slugs.

Luckily, there are different ways to eliminate slugs in your garden and protect your plants. The experts weigh in with tips to get rid of slugs from your garden so your plants stay healthy and thrive.

Meet Our Expert

Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love, an on-demand lawn care service provider
Steve Sylva, owner of Steve’s Services, a landscaping company in Malden, MA

Natural Methods to Get Rid of Slugs

Remove Slugs by Hand

Put on some gloves and start with warm, soapy water. Go there early in the morning or late at night to look for slugs in your garden. Cool, moist areas are a favorite of slugs. Examine rocks, mulch, leaves, plant bases, and behind pots. Slugs can be killed by picking them up and putting them in soapy water. You can also move them to other outdoor locations where they won’t be able to do any damage.

Use Crushed Eggshells and Coffee Grounds

Another way to deal with slugs is to use naturally occurring slug repellants in your yard. Coffee grinds and crushed eggs work wonders as snail deterrents.

According to Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love, “A successful, natural way to deter slugs from your garden is crushed eggs and coffee grounds.” Slugs can’t navigate your garden because of the coarse texture of this material, which you can add to your soil (or both). As a biodegradable material that can also enhance your soil, eggshells and coffee grounds will actually add two benefits to your garden!

Make a Beer Trap

This simple contraption kills and traps slugs. To make this, all you need is some beer and a few containers.

According to Steve Silva, owner of Steve’s Services, a landscaping business in Malden, Massachusetts, “Use beer traps—small containers filled with beer, buried in the garden so the rim is at soil level.” The yeast attracts slugs, which then sink once inside. Although a bit shady, this approach can work wonders.

Lure Natural Predators That Eat Slugs

Additionally, you can remove natural predators that feed on slugs in your garden. Small mammals such as hedgehogs, shrews and some mice and rats eat slugs. Other animals that eat slugs include ground beetles and rove beetles, firefly larvae, frogs, toads, salamanders, and ground-foraging birds such as thrushes, robins, starlings, and ducks.

To bring these animals into your garden, use a pile of logs or small rocks for cover. Toads, frogs and birds can be attracted to your yard by adding a small pond or birdbath. You can also plant a variety of plants, including flowers, to attract beneficial insects.

Use Well-Draining Soil

Slugs can be eliminated from your garden by using well-draining soil and allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Since slugs are attracted to moisture, it is beneficial to avoid creating cool, damp spots to improve drainage and hide them. Keep organic materials and garbage out of your garden to keep slugs away from their habitat.

Chemical Methods to Get Rid of Slugs

If you’ve tried natural snail removal techniques and the infestation persists, it may be time to consider chemical solutions.

When using chemical treatments, Silva advises using environmentally friendly alternatives such as baits containing iron phosphate. Although these baits are toxic to slugs, they can be safely consumed by pets and other animals. Since slugs are more active at night, be sure to spray them in the evening.

However, remember that many pesticides are dangerous to pets and animals, and the same chemicals that kill slugs can also harm beneficial species in your garden. When it comes to chemical slug management, choose an iron phosphate solution. Be careful and follow all safety instructions. If you have questions about the safety or use of a particular chemical, talk to a pest control expert for help.

How to Prevent Slugs Naturally

A slug-repelling environment can be created in your garden using a few basic design principles. Keep potential snail hiding places out of your garden and use well-draining soil. Slugs prefer cool, moist areas, so removing materials and organic waste will help keep them away.

“Keeping your garden clean is essential to prevent future infestations,” advises Silva. “Remove any weeds, debris, or fallen leaves that provide hiding places for slugs. Regular tillage also helps expose slug eggs to the environment and surface predators. Finally, you may want to consider adding slug-repellent. Plants such as ferns and asters, which Your garden can make them less attractive.

Plant slug-resistant plants such as ferns, lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina) or foxgloves (Digitalis) to make your yard an unpleasant place for slugs. Slugs find the texture of these fluffy plants uncomfortable to crawl through. Slugs are put off by the strong scent of certain herbs like thyme, lavender, sage, and rosemary. Some vegetables, such as kale and Swiss chard, have a bitter taste, which deters slugs. For a natural slug deterrent, choose a slug-repellent plant that blends in with your yard and surroundings.

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