16 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Slugs and Snails

Shiny slime trails and irregular holes in plant leaves are strong signs that slugs or snails have been in your garden.

Snails and slugs are a significant problem that most gardeners face at some point. As soon as you spot them or notice signs of their presence, take steps to control them before they multiply.

How to Get Rid of Slugs and Snails Naturally

Below are some home remedies and natural solutions that you can try. Some remedies work by killing slugs and snails, while others repel them or prevent them from reaching your plants.

1. Salt

Table salt can kill slugs and snails quickly by dehydrating them. However, avoid using it directly around garden soil or plants, as excessive salt can damage plant roots and degrade soil quality.

To use, sprinkle some table salt directly on these pests. It will absorb their body fluids and dehydrate them to death.

Some gardeners also use Epsom salt as a barrier around plants to help deter slugs and snails.

2. Remove Them by Hand

Removing them by hand might be a gross home remedy to stop slugs from eating your plants, but it works.

Wait about an hour after sundown, then look at your garden. Bring a flashlight so you can see the creatures.

You don’t need to use your bare hands, either. We recommend using a pair of tweezers or wearing gloves when picking them off.

Slugs are active from spring through fall and love cool, damp, shaded areas [1].

Therefore, look in dark or shady areas, such as at the bottom of rocks. This is the best way to find them, but you should also look for eggs.

Certain plants are also favorites of these pests. These include basil, cabbage, strawberries, lettuce, hostas, dahlias, beans, and succulents. So look for them around these plants.

3. Beneficial Nematodes

Slugs and snails are “bad” for garden plants.

However, certain beneficial nematodes, especially Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, can help control slugs naturally by targeting them in the soil [2]. They are commonly used as a biological control method in gardens.

You can purchase beneficial nematodes online. To use them, follow the instructions that come with your order.

4. Cornmeal

Some gardeners use cornmeal as a homemade bait for slugs and snails, though results can vary.

Just pour small piles of cornmeal at various locations in your garden. You can also put some cornmeal in a jar and lay it on its side so these pests can crawl in and eat it.

5. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth can be effective at controlling these garden pests when kept dry. It works by damaging and drying out their soft bodies.

Sprinkle this natural slug and snail killer around your vegetable garden; however, you must reapply it after a heavy rainstorm.

6. Scratchy Surfaces

Another neat method to keep slugs out of the garden and house is to lay down rough surfaces.

Surround your garden and flower pots with scratchy surfaces, such as sandpaper or fine-crushed eggshells. This will deter pests from entering the garden and stop them from climbing the pots.

Crushed eggshells should be kept dry and reapplied after rain for best results.

7. Beer

You can also bait and kill these creatures with beer. To create a homemade beer trap for slugs and snails, find a suitable spot to bury a container.

Make sure the spot is close to the affected area of your garden and yard. Now, fill the container to about an inch deep with stale beer.

Next, bury the container in the chosen spot so the rim is level with the ground. Slugs and snails are attracted to the smell of malt, so they’ll drop in and drown.

Besides, any beer will do. This natural slug trap can also work well in greenhouses and indoor spaces.

8. Coffee Grounds

It is said that caffeine is toxic to slugs and snails. So, used coffee grounds may help deter slugs and snails from garden areas.

Sprinkle some around your plants to deter slugs and snails.

You can also make a DIY spray by mixing 1 part brewed coffee with 9 parts water. Use it to spray your plants to deter these pests.

However, test the spray on a small part of the plant first, as strong coffee solutions may affect sensitive plants.

9. Natural Predators

This is one of the best methods for getting rid of pests in the garden. It is also an excellent organic slug control method.

Birds that eat slugs include jays, magpies, robins, starlings, and blackbirds. These natural predators also feed on other common garden pests.

So, set up a birdbath, shrubs, or a few bird feeders nearby to attract birds. Other natural predators of slugs and snails include toads, frogs, snakes, and chickens.

10. Copper Surfaces

Some gardeners also find copper to be a natural repellent for slugs and snails.

Therefore, try using copper slug tape around your flower pots, grow beds, and greenhouse to help keep the critters away.

11. Vinegar Solution

Does vinegar kill snails? Yes, it does, and it also kills slugs.

To get rid of snails and slugs with vinegar, mix 1 cup of vinegar with 1/2 cup of water in a spray bottle. When these pests are active, spray them directly with the solution.

However, avoid spraying vinegar directly onto desirable plants, as it can damage the foliage.

12. Human Hair Clippings

If you have a local hair salon or barbershop, ask them for some hair scraps from their establishment.

Some gardeners believe hair clippings create an uncomfortable surface that may help deter slugs and snails. It may also help around potted plants.

As a bonus, the hair will also add nitrogen to the soil as it decomposes, making your plants even healthier [3].

13. Garlic Spray

Garlic is another natural slug repellent. A basic recipe for making garlic spray for slugs involves blending 1 bulb of garlic with 1 liter of water.

Let the mixture stand for about ten minutes. Next, strain it and use it to spray your plants and the pests that you see.

This solution helps repel slugs and snails naturally. Garlic contains strong sulfur compounds that many garden pests dislike.

14. Grapefruit Halves

One of the best home remedies for slug prevention is the grapefruit trap. It is a simple trick that many people overlook. First, enjoy your grapefruit!

Next, place the empty peel halves upside down near the plants you’ve seen them destroy. They’ll take the bait and hide underneath.

In the morning, remove the slugs and feed them to the birds!

15. Traps

To stop slugs and snails from eating your plants without killing them, try using humane traps such as Slug Saloon or Snailer.

You can also place a piece of plywood or a board near where they gather most often. They’ll likely hide underneath, making it easy for you to move them somewhere else.

16. Safe and Natural Slug Control Products

Products such as Sluggo and Captain Jack’s Slug Magic can help control or deter slugs naturally in the garden.

Both are made with ingredients that are safe for use in your organic garden.

Takeaway

Snails and slugs are two of the most common pests that attack vegetables in the garden.

However, the home remedies and natural solutions above can help protect your plants, prevent infestations, and greatly reduce slug and snail populations over time.