Every gardener is well aware that there are many challenges in the garden – the weather can be unpredictable, the soil may be lacking in beneficial substances, and various diseases can destroy carefully maintained plants. However, one of the biggest threats is unexpected pests that can instantly damage your harvest. Slugs are particularly dangerous in the spring when they become extremely active and greedily kill young plants.
In just a few days, slugs can destroy seedlings, delicate young shoots and even flowers, which can cause huge losses. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to take action as soon as the weather warms. Fortunately, there are many ways to effectively fight these mucus pests and protect plants from their damage. You can choose both natural and biological or chemical means – it is important to find the most appropriate method that will help prevent the spread of slugs and ensure garden safety.
Garden pests
Unfortunately, there is not always enough time to do the necessary work in the garden, so it’s no wonder that uninvited guests may seem here. If you notice that mucus has appeared here and there, you can be sure that your garden has slugs.
Of course, we can just chew and think what we did wrong, but it certainly won’t help eradicate slugs. It is very important to take certain steps as soon as possible: we will tell you what decisions are most effective.
Physical barriers
Creating barriers around garden beds is an efficient and environmentally friendly way to control slugs. Barriers must be such that slugs are unpleasant or difficult to move. For example, egg shells have not only sharp corners, but also enrich the soil calcium. You can also sprinkle small sharp pebbles or salt around the seedlings. However, care should be taken, as excessive salt will damage not only slugs but also soils.
It is important to renew such obstacles regularly, especially after the rain. Mostly you have to do it once a week. If you do not renew these obstacles, all your efforts will go in vain.
Trap
You can prepare a trap for slugs. They like large and medium -sized stones that provide shade and protect from the heat of the day. They also like wet boards that retain moisture for a while. The slugs are seduced and pots with wet ground or buckets and plastic bottles. During the day, slugs usually hide, and in the evening and at night, they come out of their hiding places.
The beer trap is especially good. All you have to do is dig a cut plastic bottle to the ground to keep its edge at the ground level. The slugs like the smell of beer that they risk drowning in this liquid. Unfortunately, such a slug trap also has some drawbacks. Such traps can also kill the garden -beneficial insects. So, you should be careful.
Chemicals
Chemicals should only be used when everything else is not effective. Environmentally friendly products should always be a priority. However, there are also situations where pests simply do not give a choice. You have to choose: either your crop or slugs. Unfortunately, we can not always be assured that chemistry will be as effective as the instructions state.
There are special measures for slugs such as metaldehyde, but such tools should be used with caution, especially if the vegetables and fruits are grown in the area. There are also more environmentally friendly preparations such as iron phosphate, which are safer for the environment. The choice, as always, is yours. If you need to resolve this problem urgently, you can try chemicals.
Plant protection
In your yard or garden, you can grow slugs repellent plants. This is especially good if it is important for you to repel slugs, but it is not very important what plants to grow in the garden. Such a solution may, in certain cases, be very favorable.
For example, marigolds can effectively repel slugs. You can also grow sage, lavender, thyme, basil and parsley. However, it is also important to be careful here: check out what plants like this neighborhood and who do not want to grow near these plants. For example, radishes and cabbage cannot tolerate basil. The basil itself grows poorly in the land where beans and beetroot grew before it.
Cleanliness is the key to success
As with many other things in life, we need cleanliness and order to make the result successful. In this case, slugs can probably be compared to cockroaches. They also love darkness, love to hide from people, look for food and hiding places. Only cockroaches, of course, much faster.
As long as you try to decide what kind of slugs to choose, we suggest you take a walk around the area with a garbage bag. Collect fallen leaves, branches, boards and other debris. It is possible that all of these things are a slug hiding place, so you can get rid of them in this way. In addition, you will shoot two bunnies in one shot.
Soil loosening
If you regularly roll the soil with regular tools, it will have double benefits. First of all, the roots of the plants will get more oxygen. This will strengthen the plants and provide better health.
It will also help fight slugs as regular trails will become unobtrusive to them. Of course, you will need to work a little, but in the long run the slugs will become less sensitive.
That’s it: all you have to do is choose the most convenient way to destroy slugs. You can also combine several ways with each other. Don’t worry: After a while you will certainly be able to eradicate these unwanted garden guests. It is important to remember one thing: to take care of slug prevention regularly. If you do not, after a while the slugs will reappear in your garden. Good luck!
Nuotraukos: @freepik, @canva
I am Jovita, one of the authors of Laud.lt articles. From an early age, I like to cook and I am glad that my mother allowed me to experiment in the kitchen. Favorite dishes are undoubtedly desserts. I also like to “spin” at home, so I try to give readers not only fun recipes, but also useful tips for housework.
