How do I get rid of slugs?

Beverly Kennedy
by Beverly Kennedy



  7 answers
  • William William on Jun 03, 2019

    Sink a few bowls or plates in the ground level with the surface. Fill the bowls/plates with (cheap) beer. The yeast attracts the slugs. They drink their fill and drown. Not their sorrows


    Anything you can make it uncomfortable for the slugs/snails to crawl on will deter them. A combination of solutions from everyone here should take care of them.


    Broken nutshells work in the same way as egg shells when getting rid of slugs. Break up the nutshells into small pieces, and create a protective barrier around your plants. Any slugs that come near your vegetables will soon turn the other way.


    Crushed egg shells work as a great home remedy of slugs. This is because slugs don’t like moving across sharp objects, although it isn’t not impossible for them to do, they just prefer not to. Break up the empty egg shells into small(ish) pieces and place around the flowers, plants, vegetables, and fruits you want to keep safe from slug damage.


    Ash and Cinders make a rough protective barrier, and the fine ash also acts as a desiccant that dries the slug out. Wood ash and cinders are preferable. Avoid direct contact with plants.


    Grit and Gravel. The sharp rasping edges of finely crushed ‘horticultural grit’ makes an excellent slug barrier. Coarser gravel is largely ineffective, other than for decorative purposes.


    Sandpaper. Cut rings of sandpaper and slip them round the stems of vulnerable plants.


    Sawdust makes a good coarse barrier around tender plants, also acting as a desiccant that dries the slug out. Hardwood sawdust is most effective, and some people recommend cedar or oak.


    Copper Rings or Discs. Solid copper rings/discs of various diameter, used to encircle single or small groups of plants to inflict a mild electric shock on the unsuspecting slug. Look for rings that clip together. These are easy to slip round established plant stems, or join together to form a larger barrier.

  • Kathleen Benischek Kathleen Benischek on Jun 03, 2019

    I think egg shells.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jun 03, 2019

    Hello Beverley,

    Slug Pellets or Salt directly on to them or go out with a torch at night and collect them.

    • See 1 previous
    • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Jun 04, 2019

      You just put it in shallow containers in the problem areas. My grandmother would gather up leftover beer after sports games and put them in jar lids

      Or you can use one can to fill several.

  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Jun 04, 2019

    I use crushed egg shells (my grandma taught me that). Here is a post that might help - https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Garden-Slugs

  • Jeremy Hoffpauir Jeremy Hoffpauir on Jun 04, 2019

    This product worked for me last year and they haven't come back. https://amzn.to/2W99sSQ

  • Beverly Kennedy Beverly Kennedy on Jun 04, 2019

    Thank you for all of the remedies. I will do them.