Ways To Stop Slugs

Slugs can be killed, but it would also be great if we can prevent the slug from ever reaching our delicious leafy greens. Here are many ways that you can create barriers to stop slugs from ever entering your sacred vegetable plot.

Copper
One of the most proven methods to stop a slug in its tracks is copper. The metal reacts with the slug to give it what is tantamount to a small electric shock. Most methods involve using a copper tape to place around your prized plants. This is fine for individual plants but on a large scale such as an allotment it is not so practical to use the copper tape.

There is now available weed roll which has been impregnated with copper which works as well as the tape but is more economical for covering large areas.

Natural Repellents
There are a number of plants that slugs simply do not like. Add these plants in strategic locations in your garden or on your allotment to help control the slug invasion. For the vegetable gardener like myself, plants such as mint, fennel or garlic are good to grow. There are even some varieties of potatoes that are supposed to be slug proof. I have tried one such variety, called kestrel, and my crop was less slug ravaged. However this could be a result of the other slug control methods I employ. It's worth mentioning that while the kestrel potato tasted fine it was agreed they weren't as tasty as other varieties I have grown.

Plastic Bottles
A plastic drinks bottle with its bottom cut out can easily be placed over young plants making an effective barrier against the onslaught of slugs. So those who like to indulge in certain well know brands of fizzy drinks may wish to start stockpiling the empty bottles.

'Shields at 100% Captain'

Simple Barriers
There are a host of various materials that are used to create barriers which the slugs cannot cross. The theory behind most of these barriers is that the slug will not cross the substance because it is either too dry, abrasive, or burns. I am not personally convinced how effective some these methods are. I spent many long weeks collecting egg shells and then spreading them over my plot but there was no evidence they worked, but then others will swear by them. Some of the methods I list below are effective only when the material being used is dry, if it rains heavily then much of the potency is lost.

• Egg shells [Abrasive]
• Bark [Abrasive / Dry] - Not as effective when wet
• Lime [Burns]
• Soot [Dry] - Not as effective when wet
• Wood ash [Abrasive / Dry] - Not as effective when wet
• Human Hair [Abrasive] - Not as effective when wet
• Sand [Abrasive]
• Dried Seaweed [Abrasive / Contains Salt] - Not as effective when wet
• Diatomaceous Earth [Abrasive] - Not as effective when wet

As you can see there are many ways and means to stop slugs from attacking your plants. Erect barriers! Create blockades! Use the ideas here to enhance your slug control. Remember, somewhere there is slug watching your tender young plants!