Stop slugs in the vegetable garden!

Slugs have this ability to ruin crops as much as the gardener's hope... Who has never had the bad surprise, one morning, to find his vegetable plants completely nibbled? Of course, there are granulated baits available in garden centers to eliminate undesirable mollusks such as locusts, black and red slugs and snails, but these types of synthetic products pollute the water table and waterways. Discover natural tips to stop slugs in your garden!

These little critters are a nightmare for all gardeners. 

Theslugs and snails love young shoots and love the tender leaves. The first few days after planting young plants are crucial. If the snails devour them, the plant unfortunately will not survive. 

The slugs also attack fruits and vegetables that are low to the ground. 


Le piège à bière, un appât naturel 

The slugs are attracted to the smell of beer. It's an effective and inexpensive bait if you're not too overrun with these slimy, voracious critters. Simply pour beer into a glass buried halfway in the ground very close to the most vulnerable plants. 

Remember to change the beer every day while the young shoots grow, then you can space out the refill. 


Créer une barrière naturelle contre les limaces

  • Les coquilles d'oeufs

In addition to adding calcium to the soil, mulching empty, crushed eggshells around your plants creates a natural barrier against loaches and other slugs. This is because they don't like to travel on sharp or at least non-smooth surfaces. 

  • Les coquilles de noix

Another trick that uses the same natural barrier principle is that of replacing eggshells with nutshells!

  • Un tapis de cendre

Wood ash adds organic matter to the soil. Before spreading it, make sure it does not alter the quality and pH of your soil. 

  • Paillage de copeaux de bois

When you prune your trees and hedges, take the opportunity to shred the branches. This way you can use them as mulch to retain moisture in the soil, slow grass regrowth and to combat slug attack. 

  • Pierre de lave

Lava rock acts like razor blades for slugs. If you have a few plants to protect, this solution will be effective . For a large plot, it may not be the most economical solution...

  • Les écorces de pamplemousse comme abri à limace

It is said that slugsador citrus. By placing grapefruit skins face down, you create a sort of shelter for slugs.They will then not only be attracted to the grapefruit to eat it, but also use it as a hiding place. 

Place grapefruit peels in the evening after watering then harvest slugsunder the peels the next morning. 

  • Le café comme répulsif naturel

Ground coffee (not instant) is a slug repellent. By spreading it around plants, young shoots, it keeps these slimy little critters away. 

To know : the more caffeine coffee is rich in, the more it is an effective repellent.

Here's one more reason to embrace coffee at home even if you don't drink it!


Plantes anti-limaces

  • Seaweed: If you live by the ocean, you can harvest seaweed from the beach and put it on your beds to protect your vegetable garden.  The slugs hate salt! Plus, the seaweed will add lots of nutrients to your soil as it decomposes. 

  • Anise and rosemary: It is recommended that they be planted near the plants to be protected, in the heart of your vegetable garden. 

  • Yarrow, borage, marigold and hyssop are medicinal plants that also act as slug repellent.


Les prédateurs naturels des limaces

Hedgehogs, birds, beetles and toads are the natural predators of slugs. Consider creating an environment that is conducive to these animals and setting up your vegetable garden near a hedge. 

Don't hesitate to take inspiration from permaculture. Many books, videos and even training courses exist today to introduce you to this art. 

Alexia Bernard 2 August, 2021
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