Sasha CampbellGardeners know that slugs and snails can be serious pests. They can cause damage to tender plants, flowers, and vegetables [1, 2].
However, there are many natural ways to keep slugs and snails at bay. These natural remedies make your garden safer for beneficial insects, pets, and people.
Below are some natural repellents that can help keep slugs and snails away and protect your plants.
1. Garlic Spray
Garlic spray is a potent slug and snail repellent due to its strong odor, which these pests hate.
To make garlic spray that will stop slugs and snails, crush two bulbs of garlic in two pints of water.
Next, let the mixture simmer on the stove for about 12 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.
Afterward, crush the soft bulbs in the water to get the most from the garlic. Then, strain and pour the solution into a bottle.
When ready, dilute two tablespoons of this concentrated garlic water in five liters of pure water. Use this natural spray to deter snails and slugs in your garden by spraying your plants.
2. Decoy Plants
Planting decoy plants is a clever way to protect your main garden plants.
Plant crops that slugs and snails find especially attractive. These include lettuce, marigolds, red clover, chervil, and Chinese cabbage.
These plants will lure slugs and snails away from more vulnerable plants.
So, place decoy plants near your main garden. Then, watch for pests on them.
You can easily remove the decoy plants once the critters are focused on them.
3. Wheat Bran
Wheat bran is also a simple, natural way to kill slugs and snails. When they consume the bran, it will disrupt their digestion, causing them to die later.
So, sprinkle wheat bran around plants and replenish as needed.
4. Neem Oil
Neem oil is a natural pesticide that can also deter slugs and snails.
Mix two teaspoons of neem oil in a quart of water. You can also add half a teaspoon of dish soap.
This mixture creates a natural repellent spray for these pests and others. When applied to plants, neem oil can repel pests and reduce the damage they cause.
5. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth’s abrasive texture can harm slugs and snails. Once they crawl through it, it will scratch their bodies, causing them to dehydrate and die.
Therefore, sprinkle a thin layer of food-grade DE around the plants you wish to protect. You can also use it inside your house if these pests are a problem there.
The dry powder remains effective as long as it isn’t wet.
6. Repellent Plants
Certain plants naturally repel slugs and snails. Herbs like chives, rosemary, lavender, and thyme can deter pests.
Other plants that may deter snails and slugs include wild garlic, nasturtium, ferns, and foxglove.
Planting these around your garden’s vulnerable areas can help. It will create a natural barrier against pests.
7. Eggshells
Crushed eggshells create a rough surface to deter slugs and snails from crossing.
Therefore, save your eggshells, rinse them, and crush them into small pieces. Sprinkle these around the base of plants you want to protect.
This home remedy makes an excellent DIY snail and slug stopper.
8. Chili Pepper Spray
You can also make a homemade snail repellent spray with chili peppers.
Just soak about a dozen thinly sliced chilies in a liter of hot water. Leave it for a day.
Next, add a small amount of liquid soap to the concoction. Finally, strain and pour it into a spray bottle.
This mixture creates a spicy, irritating substance that slugs and snails find unpleasant.
Spray it on and around your plants. However, be careful not to apply it to delicate leaves. It may burn them, especially in the hot sun.
9. Mulch with Pine Needles
If you have access to pine needles, they can help keep slugs and snails away.
Spread a layer around plants that are susceptible to slug and snail damage. Pine needles create a rough surface that is difficult for these pests to navigate.
10. Vinegar
A strong vinegar solution is lethal to snails and slugs. For this recipe, dilute equal parts vinegar and water.
Spray it on soil and areas around your plants rather than directly on them.
And if you spot the critters, spray them directly as well. It will kill them almost instantly.
11. Slug Collars
Another tool that you can use to keep these pests away from your plants is slug collars.
You can put these barriers around individual plants. They will keep slugs and snails away.
These collars are beneficial for young or vulnerable plants. Moreover, they are reusable, and you can adjust them to fit various plants.
You can buy these on marketplaces like Amazon.
12. Table Salt
While table salt can kill slugs and snails by dehydrating them, use it sparingly and cautiously.
Applying salt directly to the ground in large quantities can harm your soil and plants. Instead, salt should only be used as a targeted method for individual pests.
13. Human Hair
Human hair can also create a natural barrier against slugs and snails when scattered around plants.
The texture of the hair is uncomfortable for them to cross. Dog and cat hair can also deter them.
14. Grapefruit Trap
Cut a grapefruit in half and scoop out the flesh. Next, place the hollowed-out half upside down in the garden.
Slugs and snails are drawn to the grapefruit’s citrusy scent. They will gather underneath it.
So, check the trap in the morning and remove any pests you find.
Grapefruit traps are easy to set up and environmentally friendly.
15. Coffee Grounds
The caffeine in coffee is toxic to slugs—it will poison them [3]. The rough texture of the grounds also makes it difficult for them to crawl over.
To use coffee grounds, sprinkle them around your plants or create a small barrier around each one.
You can also brew a strong pot of cheap coffee and let it cool. Later, dilute one part of the brewed coffee with nine parts water.
Finally, use the diluted coffee water to spray your plants.
16. Beer Traps
Beer traps are an effective way to lure and trap slugs.
The yeast in beer attracts slugs, leading them into the trap. However, they’ll drown after tumbling in.
To set up a beer trap, fill a shallow container with beer and place it at soil level in your garden. The slugs will be attracted to the scent, climb into the bowl or dish, and cannot escape.
17. Wood Ash
Wood ash will also keep away some slugs and snails. It works better than many other home remedies on this list.
To use wood ash, sprinkle a thin layer around the base of your plants. The ash makes free movement difficult for these pests, so they will avoid crossing it.
18. Copper Tape
Copper tape repels slugs and snails. It gives them a mild shock on contact.
Therefore, wrapping copper tape around plant pots or garden beds can create an effective barrier. Gastropod pests will avoid crossing the copper tape due to the unpleasant sensation.
Moreover, copper tape is easy to apply and doesn’t harm plants.
19. Captain Jack’s Slug Magic
Captain Jack’s Slug Magic is a product you can also use to control slugs and snails. This product uses iron phosphate as its active ingredient, which is common in a lot of garden fertilizers.
When slugs and snails consume the bait, they stop feeding and eventually die. Moreover, as listed on the label, Captain Jack’s Slug Magic is safe for organic gardening.
20. Monterey All Natural Snail & Slug Spray
This ready-to-use product can also help get rid of garden snails and slugs naturally.
You can use Monterey All Natural Snail & Slug Spray on plants. It controls and repels snails and slugs. It is perfect for gardeners who want a pre-made, natural product.
Takeaway
Use these natural repellents to protect your plants from slugs and snails. They contain no harsh chemicals.
None of these remedies offer a permanent fix, but they will help manage your pest problems.
Rotate between deterrents to see which one works best for you.
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