This is how I (mainly) protected my plants from them.
There is nothing worse that lovingly growing plants from seeds, or spending money on new plants and planting them out, and then the next morning they are gone.
In summer 2023 I had enough, and so went down various rabbit holes of the best way. Using slug pellets is a big no – they are really harmful to wildlife and especially if birds eat the slugs that have ingested them.
Eco Friendly slug & snail solutions
For the past 2 years I have used slug traps with great effect.
I have two types.
Smaller pot slug traps*, and one larger one.
I prefer the small ones, as you can dot them around the garden and the lid clicks into them more.
How do slug traps work?
They have a lid, and you fill them with beer, I usually buy as cheap as I can from Aldi / Lidl. But I have read other people use a water mix with marmite in, as it is the yeast that attracts them.
The slug trap pots* you dig a small hole and bury them, with 1-2 cm above the ground, then fill with the beer, pop on the lids and leave them to do their work.
The larger one is the same principle but sits above the ground.
And they are both very effective!
Are the safe for pets?
Like anytihng in the garden you need to be careful of pets. We have a dog that didn’t shop any interest, and as they have lids the pets would have to remove the lids to get at the beer.
You will know how ‘helpful’ your own pets are in the garden, mine prefers to pull up whole plants…
Emptying slug traps
And the part no one wants to think about…
Yes they do need emptying, I usually gather them up (I have 20+ of them) and then just use the hose to wash them out, it isn’t as vile as you would imagine as the slugs have usually ‘disintegrated’ by that point.
Then once all clean, you put them back and refill.
It depends on how warm it is and how bad the slugs are to how often you need to refill.
What about protecting plants in pots from slugs?
I use a double method for pots, it is not perfect but has saved my plants as a whole, they have had a few nibbles but the plant has survived.
(I think it is important to be honest and nothing is totally 100% against slugs and snails but as gardeners this is the life we choose!)
On my pots I use the copper tape* around them and then site the pots on a plant saucer filled with pea shingle. It has definitely helped.
Have you tried Nemaslug – Biological Slug Control?
Before I invested in the slug traps* I did try the Nemaslug – Biological Slug Control* as a lot of gardeners swear by it. I think it was more user error for me, as I tried it in a sprayer and wasn’t sure it was actually spraying.
You reapply it 6 weekly and it is safe to pets, kids and wildlife (except slugs and snails!)
@geekfairyjo How I protect my garden plants from slugs and snails eating the plants without slug pellets
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