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Even the smallest slugs make for a openhanded office in the ecosystem , feast on decomposing matter and in crook provide protein for crazy critters like raccoons and chipmunks . But however of import these slimy creatures may be , that does n’t make it any more pleasant when we find them noshing on the plants we ferment so hard to grow in our garden . If youroutdoor spaceshave been overproduction , try one of these methods for deterring and eliminating slugs .
1. Distract them with shiny objects.
copper color create an unpleasant electrical daze when type slug come into contact with it , which will deter them from passing . Create a roadblock around your beloved garden by surround it with 4- to 6 - inch copper flashing , or by wrapping susceptible plants with copper tape . Not only will the bullet stay away , but you could also reuse the copper show off for several years to amount . Keep in judgement that this trick will only dissuade the slugs — not shoot down existing varieties .
2. Crack open a coldbeer.
Slugs like beer as much as they like the leafy greens of your garden plants . Crack open a beer and rain cats and dogs it into a few margarine tub , then distribute the containers in various places around the pace , swallow them so that about an column inch remain above land . The slugs will be attracted to the fragrance , crawl into the tubs , and overwhelm overnight . Dispose of the containers the next morning in your trash or compost bin .
Tried-and-True Advice
“ My go - to method for slug control is putting out some ‘ slug public house . ’ Simply fill an old charge card cup with a flake of old beer or orange juice , eat up the cupful up to the territory line near affected works , and wait for slug and escargot to crawl in . They ca n’t baulk that sweet , fermented olfaction !
lay flat bricks or roofing tile in my garden bed also works wonders . slug and snails hide out under these objects during the Clarence Day and it ’s much easier to find and collect them . ”
— Lauren Landers , Contributing author
Photo: Sandra Standbridge / Getty Images
3. Build a sharp barrier.
A slug ’s Achilles ankle joint is its soft body , easy irritated by penetrative or teetotal materials . Use this to your advantage by sprinkling Grant Wood ash , diatomaceous ground , gravel , or lava rock in a wide dance orchestra around single plant — or the entire garden — to discourage slug , as they wo n’t want to crawl across the bumpy barrier . Wood ashes have the fillip benefit of adding potassium to your soil and raising the pH , so consider pick out that method as your first line of defense .
4. Lay a fruity trap.
Next time you snack on a citrus yield like grapefruit or orange , unpeel the rind carefully so you could keep one sports stadium - shaped one-half in tact . Poke a hole that ’s enceinte enough for a slug to fit through , and then sit the yield upside down like a bean in your garden . The sweet olfactory property will lure slugs in , unhinge them from their common repast : your plants . If a marauder does n’t get to them first , collect the fruit fleck the next morning and stamp out any live slugs by dumping them into a container of buttery water .
5. Gather a search party.
If you ’re feeling particularly vindictive , get together your salt mover and shaker and a torch , and embark out at nighttime for some real slug search . Sprinkle a little salton every slug you see ; it will force the water out of it ’s watery soundbox , cause the creature to dry up . It seems grim , but this result isveryeffective . Just be cautious when mete out salt , as an copiousness of the flavourer can harm your plant and soil .
For the most part , slug thrive in highly moist environment . One of the estimable preventative measures you could take is to make trusted your garden does not stick around to a fault wet . Keep plants spaced aside so that line can circulate between them , and water too soon in the solar day so extra moisture has time to vaporize before nightfall when the slug come out to feast .
For another creative way to get disembarrass of slugs , test using Coca - Cola . Watch our television below to learn more .
Photo: Martina Unbehauen / Depositphotos
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