More Ways to Kill a Slug

More ways to rid your garden of a few more slugs. Unlike poisoned pellets, these methods are completely natural and won’t endanger other birds and animals.

Beer trap

Like the rest of us, the slug loves a good pint! Half fill a container with beer and sink it into the soil. Be sure to leave the rim 2-3cm (1”) above ground level to prevent other insects like the beneficial ground beetle from toppling in.

• How to make your own beer trap, or ‘Slug Pub’

Oatmeal feast

Slugs seem to love raw cereals. In fact, it’s used as an attractant in traditional slug pellets. You know how a bowl of porridge swells up when mixed with fluid? Well, a similar thing happens inside the slug, with predictably unpleasant consequences!

The dry cereal is also very absorbent and it dehydrates the slug, making it hard to slime away. So one way or another it provides a fat (and safe) treat for the birds next morning.

The only problem with using something like oatmeal is it can be easily ruined by rain or blown away by the wind, so use this method when the weather is favourable.

Don’t pack oats too tightly around plant stems because it could cause damage if it gets wet and swells.

Pinch of salt

Slugs and salt simply don’t mix! Some people use the ‘hand method’ of slug collection (see below) then dump their haul into a container of salt water. Alternatively, if you’re of a more sadistic nature, you could go out into the garden on a wet evening and sprinkle a pinch of salt onto each slug you encounter, then watch it writhe in agony.

Personally, I find this rather a cruel method, but I suppose when enough treasured plants are turned to lace, a person can become very vindictive.

Just like the slug, salt and most garden plants also don’t mix. Be sure to keep any salt away from them.

• Why slugs hate salt?

Hand picking method

Not for the squeamish. When you go out into the garden after dark and it’s damp, you’ll be amazed just how many slugs you see sliming around. A sharpened stick, scissors, a heavy boot; just let your imagination run wild...

Alternatively, you could simply gather them all up in a container and dispose of them at your leisure.

• Slug sorties, mollusc manoeuvres – read more about the ‘manual method’

Even more ways to kill a slug

Has your delphinium been devoured?
Has your lettuce lost its leaves?
Are you sick of losing the battle?

Then I think 50 Ways to Kill a Slug by Sarah Ford is just what you’ve been looking for.

This humorous little book gives you 50 alternative and pellet-free ways to make your garden a slug-free zone.

50 Ways to Kill a Slug
Find out more...

More books about slugs

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• Slug pellets
  How to use slug pellets properly.