Rainy weather is here, a favorite time for slugs! Here are some tips and links to further explore your plan for natural slug control in your garden.
1. Plant Slug Resistant Plants in wet shady areas when possible. Slugs usually avoid “toxic” plants, those with thick leathery leaves and many aromatic herbs. Slug “Resistant” Plants: Coneflowers, Euphorbia, Foxglove, Ladies Mantle, Many Ferns & Ornamental Grasses and many Evergreen Trees & Shrubs. For more information go to: https://lostintheflowers.com/gardening-tips-info/plants-slugs-dont-like-to-eat/
2. Plants that Slugs Love- plant in raised beds, containers or higher places making it harder for slugs to get to. When planting these slug lovers in the ground, use controls listed in #3. Plants Slugs Love: Hostas (most green, gold & variegated forms- exceptions: waxy leaved, Pansies/Violas, Primrose, Marigolds; Melons, Cucumber & Squashes, Salad Greens & Lettuces, Strawberries & Peppers. For more information go to: https://www.slughelp.com/plants-snails-and-slugs-like-to-eat-vegetables-herbs-flowers/
3. Use Slug Deterrents.
4. Learn to Live with a Little Damage. In a biodiverse landscape, the natural order helps maintain balance. Toads, frogs & some birds will eat slugs, as well as other predatory slugs eat other slugs. Learn more about the biology of slugs at: http://www.allaboutslugs.com/slug-and-snail-science/slug-biology-2/
More about Slug Control: https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/natural-slug-control/
1. Plant Slug Resistant Plants in wet shady areas when possible. Slugs usually avoid “toxic” plants, those with thick leathery leaves and many aromatic herbs. Slug “Resistant” Plants: Coneflowers, Euphorbia, Foxglove, Ladies Mantle, Many Ferns & Ornamental Grasses and many Evergreen Trees & Shrubs. For more information go to: https://lostintheflowers.com/gardening-tips-info/plants-slugs-dont-like-to-eat/
2. Plants that Slugs Love- plant in raised beds, containers or higher places making it harder for slugs to get to. When planting these slug lovers in the ground, use controls listed in #3. Plants Slugs Love: Hostas (most green, gold & variegated forms- exceptions: waxy leaved, Pansies/Violas, Primrose, Marigolds; Melons, Cucumber & Squashes, Salad Greens & Lettuces, Strawberries & Peppers. For more information go to: https://www.slughelp.com/plants-snails-and-slugs-like-to-eat-vegetables-herbs-flowers/
3. Use Slug Deterrents.
- Beer Bait -add flat beer into shallow plastic recycled containers, drowning slugs. Change daily
- Boards, Pots or Bricks -turn over during the day to capture sleeping slugs
- Rough Mulch -add broken pieces of pottery, lava rock or other sharp surfaces that slugs avoid
- Desiccants -diatomaceous earth powder – without chemicals- border plants. Reapply after a heavy rain
- Sacrificial Garden -plant an area that slugs are attracted to and add baits & traps there with less expensive plants to deter from your other prized treasures
- Natural Slug Killers & Repellants -Coffee Grounds- moderately near plants; Seaweed- add near plants, slugs dislike salt; Salt- add in a border area with rough mulch or gravel- away from plants, can burn them; Baits- use products that contain Ferric Phosphate -not- Ferric Sodium, which is very toxic to animals & wildlife. Try - Sluggo http://growslugfree.com/
4. Learn to Live with a Little Damage. In a biodiverse landscape, the natural order helps maintain balance. Toads, frogs & some birds will eat slugs, as well as other predatory slugs eat other slugs. Learn more about the biology of slugs at: http://www.allaboutslugs.com/slug-and-snail-science/slug-biology-2/
More about Slug Control: https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/natural-slug-control/
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