There’s nothing more frustrating than working daily on your garden, only to find that plants start to wilt or change colors. The other day, I was talking to my 29-year-old daughter about her garden. She was telling me about her cabbage starting to yellow and seeing some holes in it. I immediately thought of slugs and snails.
Sure enough, when she looked, there were lots of them! I’m going to share some of the suggestions I made to my daughter about how to get rid of slugs and snails in the garden.
How To Get Rid Of Slugs And Snails In The Garden
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Have you ever asked yourself, “What can I use to get rid of snails in my garden”? Or what can I do about slugs?
Or, if you have pets, maybe you thought: “How do I get rid of snails and slugs without harming dogs”? I hear you! And I’m here to help.
1. Pick Them by Hand
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If you only have a few, go ahead and pick them out by hand at night. It’ll take you a few minutes each evening and you won’t have to try anything else. You might want to involve your kids in this, as disgusting as we adults think they are, kids LOVE playing with snails.
When I was young, we used to sing to them. It’s hard to translate (I’m Romanian): snail, snail, push out your tentacles, go down on the trail to drink warm water. LOL, it sounds weird, but it rhymes in Romanian, and we had a blast playing with them.
Got more than just snails in your garden? Here’s how to keep your garden free from nasty garden pests.
2. Sprinkle Egg Shells (or Eggshell Powder) Around Your Plants
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Save egg shells and use them around your plants in the garden. When scattered around the base of plants, the sharp edges of the shells deter soft-bodied pests like slugs and snails, which avoid crawling over the rough surface. But beyond pest control, eggshells are also a rich source of calcium carbonate, an essential nutrient for plant health.
I save egg shells year-round and make my own powder in the Vitamix. This way, the calcium is more easily available to plants, and the eggshells don’t take up too much space.
3. Use Copper Foil Tape
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If the slugs and snails are in your raised beds or containers, you can stick copper foil tape around them, and the snails won’t bother your plants anymore.
Copper reacts with the slimy mucus these pests produce, creating a mild, electric-like sensation when they try to cross it. It doesn’t kill them, but it’s incredibly effective at repelling them. Think of it as an invisible electric fence—one they won’t want to cross. This makes it an ideal barrier for pots, garden boxes, and other contained areas where the tape can be easily applied.
4. Get Chickens or Ducks
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Chicken and ducks (especially Muscovy ducks) love snails and slugs! Let them loose in your garden, and they’ll have a feast. Unfortunately, they might find something else they like in the garden, so keep an eye on them.
Learn all you need to know about raising chickens.
5. Have a Snail Beer Party
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Place a shallow tin in your garden with beer inside. Or create a beer trap from a milk container for slugs and snails. Works like a charm. They’re attracted to the beer smell, drink it up, get drunk, and drown.
Other Methods of Slug and Snail Control That People Have Tried
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Need more ideas? Try these:
- Destroy their hiding places near your veggie beds (time to be a detective)
- If it’s really bad and you ran out of ideas, use Sluggo. It is rated for organic use and is not toxic to birds or beds.
- Diatomaceous earth – they hate it, and it won’t harm pets or veggies
- Put down a layer of hazelnut shells (for the same reason as egg shells)
- Get some toads for your garden…..they love to eat slugs. Here’s how to attract beneficial wildlife to your garden.
- Throw a few rolls of pennies (for the copper again) into your garden beds
- Add wood ash around your plants
Weird Ways to Get Rid of Snails
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Seems nasty to me, but in some cultures, snails are a delicacy (like France). So, if you so choose, you can eat them!
Also, did you hear about snail facials? (Yes, it’s a thing in Thailand.)
Now that you’re all grossed out (or maybe amused), I hope you are equipped to get rid of slugs and snails in the garden. Wishing you success.
FAQ’s About Snails
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What keeps slugs and snails away?
As mentioned before, sprinkling eggshells around your plants or adding some copper tape to your raised beds will keep them away from your plants. You can also plant some plants they don’t like, such as rosemary, rue, fennel, or anise.
How do you get rid of slugs and snails naturally?
Sprinkle gritty powders around your plants: coffee grounds, eggshells, and sand, as they make it uncomfortable for the slugs and snails to slither their way over them.
Are slugs and snails good for anything?
Absolutely! They provide food for birds, earthworms, insects, and some mammals, and they are part of the natural balance.
What causes a slug infestation?
Slugs need moisture and shade, so weeds, fallen logs, old leaves, and other wet areas will encourage slugs and snails to congregate around. Make sure you clean up the garden to keep them away.
