Slimy creatures are always gross. You don't only want to get rid of them, you need to get rid of them. Below is a list of things you can use to get rid of slugs.
Getting Rid of Slugs the Natural Way
•Diatomaceous Earth - Diatomaceous Earth, more commonly known as DE, is the fossilized remains of the era of sea-going creatures and dinosaurs. DE is mined, but you can buy it at garden centers. It looks like white flour, but is extremely sharp when seen under a microscope. You can trust DE when it comes to killing slugs because it dehydrates them once they get in contact with it. Use DE by surrounding your plants with it. Make sure that you wear mask as you surround your crops with protective rings. If they get wet, simply freshen them up.
•Toads – Do not use pesticides. Just pour water onto the ground and provide shade. The slugs will surely accumulate under the shade. The toads, on the other hand, will be excited for such a wonderful treat. They will feed on the slugs and make the job a whole lot easier for you.
•Beer – Who would've thought that even your favorite drink can be used to get rid of slugs? Using beer is the most effective, non-personal way to know that damage done overnight is caused by these slimy creatures. Just remember to stay away from stale beer because that is what a slug likes.
•To use beer to get rid of slugs, set up old margarine tubs or commercial traps at the top of the soil. They should be near the damaged plants. You have to wait until dusk before you put beer into them. Use the cheapest beer you can find, but make sure that it's fresh. You know that you have killed the slugs if in the morning, you see these slimy beasts dead drunk. Repeat this every evening to make sure that all slugs are dead. The dead slugs must be dumped in a place accessible for their cannibalistic pals.
•Iron Phosphate – Do you know that iron is not good for the digestion of slugs? When we say “not good”, we mean deadly bad. You can purchase slug-attracting baits like Escar-Go! and Sluggo on the market. The pellets should be scattered around the damaged plants to get rid of the slugs without using poison. Using iron phosphate does not only help you get away with these pests, but it also makes your garden soil richer because of the extra iron you are adding to it.
•Coffee – Research shows that caffeine is effective when it comes to getting rid of slugs. Use your dregs and spray them on the slugs at night. Use a mulch of coffee grounds to surround the damaged plants.
•Copper – Slugs are always in shock every time they come in contact with copper, so get copper plant guards. It's best to place your precious plants on these ready-made guards. If not, you can always adorn the frames of your ordinary plant guards with copper. You can use pennies, too. Just place them around the top of your plant containers using hot-glue rings. Since the slugs get shocked once they touch copper, they will be captured instantly. Make sure that you have a jar of pennies so that when the slugs drop, you can also watch them spark!
•Citrus – Leave grapefruit, orange and lemon rinds out overnight close to the plants that are prone to slugs. In the morning, you will see dead slugs lying around the plant. Make sure that you collect all the mess, which includes your fruit rinds, to properly dispose of them. The old leaves of lettuce will also go a long way in helping you get rid of slugs.
•Boards – Your garden beds must be covered with old planks of boards so that the slugs will crawl under the boards to hide from the scorching heat of the sun. The next morning, lift the old planks and you will find the slugs all dead underneath. Scrape the pests into a bucket with metal. It is best to scrap the slugs if your metal is flat. Do what you want with those pests. If you want, you can get some pennies and watch them spark. It will make killing slugs fun!
•Human Hair – Yes, you read it right. You can use your very own crowning glory to get rid of these slimy beasts. Just surround your plants with hair. Make it look like it is a protective barrier. As slugs pass by, they will be tangled up and strangled in the strands. Like iron phosphate, your hair can also make the soil richer because it adds nitrogen to the ground.
•Lightning Bugs – During the larval stage of lightning bugs, they are at their hungriest state for slugs. The good news is, lightning bugs also feed on the eggs of the slugs. You can be sure that no pest will again emerge after the bugs have emptied the whole area of slugs. Do not use a pesticide because you may kill lightning bugs. Encourage mature lightning bugs to breed by turning off the lights at night, and the soil in your garden filled with slugs should be moist.
•Vinegar – Vinegar is effective in killing slugs, so get some and spray it areas where slugs gather. Do not use white vinegar on plants because it is a herbicide. Imagine the strength of its chemicals. Vinegar can dissolve mollusk. Just use it on slugs that you can't find on plants.
Did you know it could be fun getting rid of pests? While dealing with other pests require you to use pesticides and other extreme control measures, dealing with slugs is definitely easier. You do not have an excuse not to do something about it today since the things you need are natural and easily found. Save your plants. Kill the slugs.