Clodagh McKenna reveals tip for getting rid of slugs
Slugs can be found in most gardens and outdoor spaces and are part of our garden’s natural balance. In an average-sized garden, there can be up to 15,000 slugs. This works out at 200 slugs per cubic metre of soil.
Unfortunately, slugs can cause lots of damage to plants by eating holes in their leaves, stems, flowers, tubers and bulbs.
Most slugs will feed on plants at night leaving slime trails on pots, fences and paving slabs.
However, the worst damage is usually during warm and humid periods – making the spring and summer months a particular hotspot.
Slugs particularly like hosts, delphiniums, dahlias, sweet peas, beans, peas, lettuce and celery.
With this in mind, Jack Sutcliffe, a gardening expert and co-founder of Power Sheds has shared his “simple” and “inexpensive” approach to banishing slugs from gardens.
The gardening expert recommended using a “beer trap” to banish slugs.
He told Express.co.uk: “A beer trap is a simple and inexpensive approach to get rid of slugs.
“Ward off pesky slugs by pouring an inch of beer into an empty jar and then burying the jar in the ground up to its neck, leaving about an inch above the ground.
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“Slugs are attracted to the odours and fermentation gases found in the beer, where they will crawl into the jar and drown.”
However, the garden pro also shared ways to prevent slugs from munching on plants in the first place.
These natural and easy precautions won’t harm the slugs directly but will make it harder for them to damage plants.
Jack said: “Remove any debris or weeds from your garden that could provide shelter for slugs.
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“Plant slug-resistant plants such as lavender, rosemary, and marigolds.
“Avoid watering the garden late in the day as they thrive in these conditions and most slugs feed at night.”
Other plants that deter slugs and snails include garlic, chives and chamomile.
Many people swear by garlic as a natural deterrent for slugs and snails.
To make a garlic spray, simply put two bulbs of garlic in a saucepan with around two litres of water.
Allow the garlic to boil until it’s soft then use a fork or spoon to squash the bulbs down.
Squashing the garlic allows the juices to seep into the water. Strain the garlic into a spray bottle to remove the skins.
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