If you don't like using chemicals in your garden, but have a slug problem, then you can use some methods to get rid of these pests without chemicals.
Getting rid of slugs in your garden without using chemicals can be achieved through various natural and environmentally friendly methods.
Here are some effective strategies.
Handpicking
Go out to your garden in the evening or early morning when slugs are most active and pick them off by hand.
Wear gloves and drop the slugs into a container with soapy water to drown them.
Barriers
Create physical barriers around vulnerable plants using materials slugs can't easily cross.
Examples include copper tape, crushed eggshells, diatomaceous earth, or coarse sand.
Slugs dislike the texture and won't crawl over these barriers.
Beer Traps
Bury shallow containers, such as jar lids or small cans, in the ground near affected plants.
Fill them with beer, which attracts slugs, so they will crawl in and drown.
Natural Predators
Encourage natural slug predators like birds, toads, frogs, and ground beetles to inhabit your garden.
Creating a diverse and wildlife-friendly environment can help keep the slug population in check.
Salt-Tolerant Plants
Choose slug-resistant plants that slugs find less attractive.
Some plants, like certain herbs (e.g., rosemary, thyme), fennel, or lavender, are less appealing to slugs.
Copper Barriers
Place copper wire or copper strips around plant pots or raised beds.
Slugs are sensitive to copper and will avoid crossing it.