Sasha CampbellMost gardeners 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 away. Most work by making your plants or garden less inviting rather than harming the pests.
How Slugs and Snails Damage Plants
Slugs and snails feed by scraping holes in leaves, stems, flowers, and ripening fruits [3]. Young seedlings are especially vulnerable and may disappear overnight.
They are most active during cool, damp weather and often feed after dark, making damage easy to miss until morning.
Natural Repellents for Slugs and Snails
Below are some natural repellents that can help keep slugs and snails away and protect your plants.
1. Garlic Spray
Garlic spray is commonly used as a natural slug and snail deterrent because its strong odor may help discourage these pests.
To make a garlic spray to deter slugs and snails, crush two garlic bulbs into two pints of water.
Next, let the mixture simmer on the stove for about 12 minutes. Remove it from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
After the mixture cools, mash the softened garlic in the water. Then strain the liquid into a spray bottle.
When ready, dilute 2 tablespoons of this concentrated garlic water in 5 liters of pure water. Use this natural spray to deter snails and slugs in your garden by spraying your plants.
2. Repellent Plants
Certain plants naturally repel slugs and snails. Herbs like chives, rosemary, lavender, and thyme can help keep slugs and snails away.
Other plants that may deter snails and slugs include wild garlic, foxglove, ferns, and sage. Planting these around vulnerable areas of your garden can help create a natural barrier against pests.
3. Decoy Plants
Planting decoy plants is a clever way to protect your main garden plants.
Near your garden, plant crops that slugs and snails find especially attractive. These include lettuce, hostas, red clover, chervil, and Chinese cabbage.
These plants will lure slugs and snails away from your main plants.
4. Aromatic Herb Mulch
Some gardeners use fragrant herbs to help discourage slugs and snails. Herbs like rosemary, lavender, mint, and sage have strong scents that these pests may avoid.
Scatter fresh herb clippings around the soil or use them as a light mulch around your plants. Replace them every few days as the scent fades.
Note: The evidence is mostly based on gardeners’ experiences, but it’s a simple, natural method worth trying.
5. Copper Tape
Copper tape is widely used as a slug and snail barrier. When slugs or snails touch the copper, it creates a mild reaction that discourages them from crossing it.
Wrap the tape around plant pots or raised beds to help protect your plants.
6. Slug Collars
Another tool you can use to keep these pests away from your plants is a slug collar.
You can put these barriers around individual plants. They will keep slugs and snails away.
These collars are beneficial for young plants. Moreover, they are reusable and adjustable to fit a variety of plants.
You can buy these in marketplaces like Amazon.
7. Diatomaceous Earth
The rough texture of food-grade diatomaceous earth may help discourage slugs and snails.
When slugs and snails crawl over the dry powder, the tiny sharp particles scratch their soft bodies, making the barrier uncomfortable to cross.
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.
8. Eggshells
Crushed eggshells may discourage some slugs and snails because of their rough texture.
So, save your eggshells, rinse them, and crush them into small pieces. Sprinkle these around the base of the plants you want to protect.
Many gardeners use eggshells as a simple DIY barrier against slugs and snails. However, results are mixed, and some studies have found that eggshells do not stop every slug or snail.
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 slugs and snails like to eat. Pine needles create a rough surface that some slugs and snails prefer to avoid.
10. Wool Pellets or Sheep’s Wool
Slugs and snails dislike crawling over wool because it stays dry and feels rough.
Spread wool pellets or loose sheep’s wool around the base of your plants. When watered, the wool expands to form a thick barrier that many slugs and snails avoid.
11. Coarse Sand or Grit
A ring of coarse sand, horticultural grit, or sharp gravel can make it uncomfortable for slugs and snails to reach your plants.
Apply a band a few inches wide around the plants you want to protect. Refresh the barrier after heavy rain if needed.
12. Crushed Oyster Shells
Crushed oyster shells create a rough, sharp surface that many snails and slugs do not like to cross.
Sprinkle a ring of crushed shells around vulnerable plants. Replace them as needed to maintain the barrier.
13. Wood Ash
Wood ash will also keep away some slugs and snails. It creates a dry, irritating barrier that many slugs and snails prefer not to cross.
To use wood ash, sprinkle a thin layer around the base of your plants. The ash makes it difficult for these pests to move freely, so they will avoid crossing it.
Replace the ash after rain because it loses its effectiveness when wet.
14. Human Hair
Some gardeners report success using human or pet hair as a barrier. However, scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness is limited.
Sprinkle some hair around your plants if you want to try it. Keep in mind that results vary, and many gardeners find it only works for a short time.
15. Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds may help keep slugs and snails away because they contain caffeine [4]. However, they do not work the same in every garden.
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. Hot Pepper Spray
You can also make a homemade snail-repellent spray using hot peppers.
Just soak about a dozen sliced hot peppers in a liter of hot water. Leave them for a day.
Next, add a small amount of liquid soap to the concoction. Finally, strain and pour it into a spray bottle.
Slugs and snails do not like the spicy spray.
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.
17. Neem Oil
Neem oil is primarily used to control insect pests.
Some gardeners report that it helps discourage slugs and snails. However, research on the effectiveness of neem oil against slugs and snails is limited. It may work better when used with other control methods.
To use, mix 2 teaspoons of neem oil into 1 quart of water. You can also add half a teaspoon of dish soap.
Shake well. Spray the mixture on and around plants slugs and snails like to eat.
18. Lava Rock or Crushed Gravel Mulch
Instead of soft mulch, use lava rock or coarse gravel around plants that slugs and snails like to eat.
The rough texture makes it harder for slugs and snails to move across the surface.
19. Keep Garden Paths Dry
Slugs and snails need moisture to move easily. Keeping the area around your plants as dry as possible can make your garden less inviting.
Remove damp leaves, weeds, and other garden debris where slugs and snails like to hide. You can also improve airflow by spacing your plants properly and avoiding overwatering.
A drier garden gives slugs and snails fewer places to hide during the day.
20. Water in the Morning
Slugs and snails thrive in damp conditions, especially overnight.
Water your garden early in the morning rather than in the evening. By nightfall, the soil surface will be drier, making your garden less attractive to these pests.
Takeaway
Use these natural repellents to protect your plants from slugs and snails. These methods use natural ingredients and simple gardening tricks to help keep slugs and snails away.
No single method will get rid of slugs and snails forever. Using two or three methods together usually works best.
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