Have you found your vegetable garden devoured by slugs?
It's infuriating! But if, like me, you refuse to use pesticides, that's normal.
No need to buy toxic products though!
Not only is it harmful, but it's also expensive...
In addition, slugs are part of a bird's lunch, so do not kill or poison them.
Fortunately, there are effective tricks to get rid of slugs all over the house.
We have selected 17 natural tips to repel slugs in the vegetable garden without using toxic products .
These tricks work as well in the vegetable patch, the garden, on the terrace, the lawn as in the flowers. Watch:
One of the simplest tricks that costs nothing (except a bit of time) is to pick up slugs by hand.
Don't worry, you risk nothing! They won't bite you. You can put on dishwashing gloves if you don't want to feel them on your skin.
Put them in a pot, then release them in the forest. Preferably do this in the morning when they are out for a walk.
If you are lucky enough to have chickens, release them in the vegetable garden.
They will be happy to flush out the slugs and other parasites they love. Again, do this preferably in the morning.
The effectiveness of this technique is unanimous! In wet weather, place wooden planks or tiles in the most affected areas.
The slugs will take refuge underneath to protect themselves from the sun. Now all you have to do is lift the board and pick up the slugs.
This technique is particularly effective against small gray slugs that are difficult to see.
Crumble eggshells into small pieces. Then let them dry.
Then arrange them around the most affected plants. The shell being sharp, slugs do not venture on it.
Spread a good layer of ashes from your fireplace around the plants that the slugs nibble on.
As they hate it, they will not pass. Remember to renew the process after each rain.
Mulched pine needles are also a great deterrent to slugs.
Collect pine needles in the forest in a plastic bag, then scatter them around the plants you want to protect.
Unroll copper tape around the plants in your vegetable garden. Slugs hate copper.
There is even a possibility of passing a light current which will scare away our gastropod friends. Check out the trick here.
Did you know that beer attracts slugs?
To catch them easily, place containers of beer at the foot of your plantations.
The slugs will then turn away from your plants to enjoy the beer.
Don't throw away your citrus rooibos sachets.
Spread it around your plants to repel citrus-hating slugs.
The Romans already used this trick to repel slugs.
Sprinkle a thick line of powdered white chalk around the most affected plants to keep them away without harming them.
When you brush your pets, don't throw away the hair.
Spread them in thick layers around the most affected areas so that the slugs do not attack your plants.
Some plants give off an odor that slugs strongly dislike.
This is particularly the case with geraniums and garlic, which you can plant near your young plants.
Marigolds attract slugs. So, plant them wisely!
If you live by the sea, go collect black seaweed on the beach.
Then, arrange them around the plants to be protected from slugs about 3 to 4 cm thick.
Not only does it repel slugs, but the seaweed is also used as fertilizer. Not a bad trick, right?
Diatomaceous earth is an abrasive and rough substance that prevents slugs or snails from going over it at the risk of cutting themselves.
Surround your plants in the vegetable garden with diatomaceous earth to form a natural barrier against slugs. Easy, right?
Like diatomaceous earth, the abrasive surface of lava repels slugs.
You can use the lava stones as a barrier around the plantations. Place them on the ground, around the areas to be protected.
But don't let dirt or vegetation form a bridge over it:the slugs will rush to cross it.
If all else fails, go out at night with the salt shaker and a flashlight.
Take a walk around to see the areas with the most damage. This should allow you to locate the slugs.
Then, sprinkle some salt directly on the slug. A bit barbaric, but very effective.
The slug won't last long. It is a solution to be used only as a last resort because it leads to the death of the slug.
Also, don't pour too much salt on the ground, as this will eventually make the area infertile.
If you really can't take the slugs anymore, there is a more drastic method. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water.
Spray this mixture on the ground or directly on the slugs. They won't last long.
Again, to be used only as a last resort, because not only does it kill the slugs, but it is also a painful method.
