How to Control Slugs and Snails in Your Garden

They’re the silent night-time destroyers, slipping through mulch, climbing over pots, and leaving your courgette seedlings chewed to stumps. Slugs and snails are some of the most frustrating garden pests we face, especially in damp, mild weather when they seem to be everywhere. But before you give up on your leafy crops, know this: we can control slugs and snails in our gardens without waging war on everything else.

Here’s how we keep their damage to a minimum, without reaching for the chemical pellets.

Know When and Where They Strike

Slugs and snails love moisture and darkness, so they tend to strike at night, early morning, or after a good rain. We pay special attention to shady, damp areas, under pots, in thick mulch, and around the edges of raised beds. That’s where they hide during the day, and knowing where they hang out helps us outsmart them.

Hand Picking: Low-Tech but Surprisingly Effective

A torch, a bucket, and a bit of patience, sometimes, that’s all you need. Go slug hunting in the evening or early morning, especially after rain. Pop them in a container with salty water or move them well away from the garden. It’s a bit gross, yes, but satisfying when you see your crops thrive the next day.

Use Traps They Can’t Resist

Beer traps are a classic for a reason. Slugs are attracted to the yeast smell, climb in, and drown. We sink small containers of beer into the soil, rim-level, near vulnerable plants. Refresh every couple of days. You can also try grapefruit halves or upside-down flower pots as lures, check and clear them daily.

Encourage Natural Predators

Nature loves balance, and some of the best slug control comes from wildlife. Frogs, toads, hedgehogs, birds, ground beetles, they all love a good slug snack. We leave wild corners, make mini ponds, and skip the slug pellets to keep predators safe and well-fed. Even a simple log pile can become a slug-hunter’s paradise.

Try Barriers and Deterrents

We’ve had mixed success with barriers, but they’re worth a try, especially around seedlings. Crushed eggshells, sharp sand, coffee grounds, and even wool pellets can deter some slugs and snails. Just know they need to be reapplied regularly, especially after rain. Copper tape around pots works well too, giving slugs a mild shock as they try to cross.

Water in the Morning, Not at Night

Evening watering makes the soil perfect for slug activity. We water in the morning instead, so the surface is dry by the time slugs come out to play. It’s a small change that makes a big difference.

Choose Slug-Resistant Plants

Some plants are naturally less appealing to slugs and snails. We’ve noticed they’ll often ignore herbs like rosemary and thyme as well as tougher plants like chard and beetroot. Mixing in these less-tasty options can help protect your more vulnerable seedlings.

Stay Persistent

No one method works perfectly on its own, but used together, they make a serious dent in the slug and snail population. The key is consistency. We keep traps refreshed, pick regularly, and check for damage every day during peak season.

 Slugs and snails may be part of the garden ecosystem, but that doesn’t mean we have to let them feast unchecked. By combining old-school methods with a little ecological know-how, we can keep our veg patch thriving, one slime-free seedling at a time.