Surround vulnerable plants with a barrier that harms slugs: diatomaceous earth (DE). The diatoms (fossilized phytoplankton) that make up DE shred soft slug bodies, which causes them to dry out and die. Apply DE in a band 1 inch high and 3 inches wide. Replace DE after it becomes damp.
There are a handful of plants which are believed to be a natural repellent for slugs. What you need: Slug repelling plants “ Living Green suggest that wormwood, rue, fennel, anise, and rosemary are the best slug repelling plants.
A spray bottle filled with plain white vinegar is a great cure for slugs that aren't on plants. An extremely effective mollusk dissolver, vinegar is also an herbicide-so don't spritz the salvia. 15) Or Garlic. New research has shown that garlic kills slugs.
Nematodes are the best way to kill slugs naturally – simply water onto the soil around your plants and let them get to work. Salt kills slugs naturally, however, it takes a lot of salt and should not be applied near your plants. Other methods to kill slugs naturally include beer traps and vinegar sprays.
Try beer traps
Make a slug trap using cheap beer – slugs will be attracted to the smell. Sink a beer trap or container into the ground, with the rim just above soil level. Half fill with beer and the cover with a loose lid to stop other creatures falling in. Check and empty regularly.
Some gardeners swear by homemade snail and slug repellents. This are made by mixing garlic or coffee grounds into water in a spray bottle. Spray down your plants with this mixture, as well as the ground around the plants to deter slugs and snails.
One way to kill snails and slugs during manual collection is to drop them into a bucket of hot soapy water. Or, a container with salt – which will also kill them.
Sprinkle salt
Sprinkling salt on slugs will kill them, but avoid sprinkling it too much as plants are also adversely affected by an excess of salt. It's therefore best used when far away from valuable plants.
Some birds, frogs, toads, hedgehogs, slow-worms and ground beetles eat slugs and these predators should be encouraged in gardens. Raking over soil and removing fallen leaves during winter can allow birds to eat slug eggs that have been exposed.
4. WD-40. To deter snails in your container garden, you can set up barriers around your plants or their containers. For example, you can spray a band of waterproof WD-40 around your containers, and the snails and slugs will be unable to climb up it.
Pest Deterrent: Pre-steeped bags are a great way to rid your garden of slugs, bugs, and rodents: just sprinkle the wet or dry leaves directly onto the soil. According to Tip Hero, the caffeine also deters pests from eating, nibbling, or peeing on your garden turf.
How did I get snails and slugs? Moist plant debris, underneath rocks, low weeds, mulch and fallen logs all provide hiding places for snails and slugs. Moisture is a key requirement for snails and slugs since they are adversely affected by dry conditions and the loss of body moisture.
Keep Pests Away
Sprinkle baking soda on your soil with a flour sifter to keep ants, roaches and slugs away from your garden. (Be sure to avoid your plants!)
Coffee grounds have been recommended in the past as an organic method to keep slugs and snails out of your flower and vegetable beds. Grounds will repel slugs, but the USDA research team confirms that a caffeine solution is more effective.
“Yes”, pouring salt on a slug will kill it, but you shouldn't do that in or near your garden. Although it also kills slugs, applying vinegar for garden slug control is also a bad idea. Both salt and vinegar can be absorbed by your plants and result in damage or death.
Vinegar spray
As vinegar is mildly acidic, it will kill any snails or slugs it touches. However, vinegar is toxic to vegetation, so only spray snails or slugs that haven't yet reached your plants.
Add a few drops of washing up liquid (only a few drops, you don't want a soapy mixture). Pour boiling water over the chilli and garlic and let this all sit overnight and infuse. The next day all you need to do is to strain the liquid and pour it into a spray bottle. You can now use this spray to treat your plants.
Scent. Slugs seem also to be put off by the strong scent of Lavendula (Lavender), Rosemarinus (Rosemary), Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) and Phlox paniculate (Perennial phlox). There are so many plants that slugs simply can't stomach. In fact, that you could plant your entire garden with slug-hated plants.
Epsom salts, though, are an effective control method. Epsom salts contain magnesium, which is a nutrient most plants will utilize. Applying a band of Epsom salt around your beds or plants will work as a slug barrier.
Baking soda works like salt; it will dry out and kill the snail, according to the North Coast Journal.
Metaldehyde is the active ingredient in most slug and snail baits. It is formulated in granules, powder, pellets, and a liquid. Protein-rich material, such as bran or grain, is usually added to the bait to make it more attractive to snails.
In gardens, Epsom salt can be used as a natural insecticide. Epsom salt penetrates the slug's skin and damages it. The salt dries out the slugs, dehydrating and eventually killing them. Because slugs rely on moisture, dehydration is the most effective method of killing them.
Just like vinegar and water or lemon juice and water are excellent options for pest control in our gardens, mixing garlic and water in a spray bottle acts as a strong repellent for slugs and snails.