It is almost impossible to completely get rid of gastropods – slugs and snails, but it is quite possible to control their numbers and harm. At the sight of the collectible rarity eaten by them, I want to catch everyone and take revenge on them personally. But the best salvation is prevention, for which there are several effective methods.
Mechanical obstacles
Slugs move by sliding along with the body using slime. If the surface is dry and porous, corrosive or harmful, they will not be able to cross it. It can be a mulch made of stone chips, spruce needles or superphosphate, ash, crushed eggshells, etc. It protects plants very well. The same obstacle can be the dry wall of a ceramic pot. Try using a ring made of coarse-grained, water-resistant sanding paper for plant protection, or sprinkle the barrier with cat filler granules.
Chemical preparation
In garden shops you can buy pellets with metaldehyde. They are painted blue so as not to attract birds. Pellets that you want to protect from rain. There are also preparations based on non-toxic aluminum sulfate powder for people, they can be used even in the garden. But for all its effectiveness and cheapness, this method of fighting still poses a certain environmental danger to birds and insects.
The use of traps
The most common and convenient option is a plastic cup buried in the ground with beer or milk at the bottom. Its edges should protrude slightly above the ground to avoid falling insects. It is better if there is a roof from the rain and sun on top. Another simple option is to put half of the eaten grapefruit on the ground in the evening, and in the morning throw it away together with the collected slugs.
Biological method
Toads and birds, ground beetles and lizards actively hunt slugs. By creating suitable habitats for them, you can attract them to the garden. A lot of firewood, a puddle with thickets of large plants on the shore, a place for wintering – this is the minimum list of requirements. But keep in mind: using this method, you cannot use pesticides on the site.
In conclusion, I want to give one original recommendation. A large number of slugs are hiding on the lawn. If you mow your lawn at night, you will get rid of them very quickly. Risk it or not, in any case, the gardener’s sharp eye cannot be replaced on an evening slug hunt.