
What is the best Slug repellent?
- BEST OVERALL: Natria Snail and Slug Killer Bait Granules
- RUNNER UP: Corry’s Slug & Snail Killer, 3.5 lb
- AFFORDABLE FAVORITE: Garden Safe Slug & Snail Bait
- ECO PICK: Monterey Sluggo Wildlife and Pet Safe Slug Killer
- ALSO CONSIDER: Ortho Bug-Geta Snail and Slug Killer
How to get rid of slugs and snails naturally?
How to Get Rid of Slugs and Snails Naturally
- Know Which Gardening Practices Promote and Control Slugs. ...
- Slug Preventive Plants. ...
- Natural Predators. ...
- Stop or Limit the Use of Pesticides. ...
- Use 2×4 Boards. ...
- Wool. ...
- Copper Tape. ...
- Make a Slug Fence. ...
- The Beer Solution. ...
- Organic Slug and Snail Bait. ...
How to kill snails and slugs?
9 Ways to Get Rid of Snails and Slugs in Your House and Garden
- Use bait.
- Use traps.
- Use barriers and repellents.
- Employ biological methods.
- Grow snail and slug-resistant plants.
- Use killing substances, chemicals, and pesticides.
- Kill and dispose of the mollusks manually.
- Change your watering schedule.
- Kill their eggs.
How to control slugs organically?
What can I do?
- If you’re using any of these five home remedies to deter slugs and snails, consider carefully whether they are making enough difference to be worth the investment.
- Seek out scientifically proven deterrents such as slug pellets or nematode biological controls
- The most humane way to get rid of slugs? ...

How do you permanently get rid of slugs?
Slugs will seek out cover under bricks, garden furniture and large logs. Remove potential slug shelters to expose them to natural predators....Grow beautiful cut flowers at homeCreate a prickly barrier. ... Create a slippery barrier. ... Lay down copper tape. ... Place a lure. ... Apply nematodes to soil. ... Sprinkle salt. ... The eco-method.
What can I spray on slugs to kill them?
white vinegarA spray bottle filled with plain white vinegar is a great cure for slugs that aren't on plants. An extremely effective mollusk dissolver, vinegar is also an herbicide-so don't spritz the salvia. 15) Or Garlic. New research has shown that garlic kills slugs.
Is there a spray to keep slugs away?
Exterminators Choice Slug and Snail Spray | 32 Ounce | Repels Most Common Types of Slugs and Snails | Natural, Non-Toxic Formula | Quick, Easy Pest Control | Safe Around Kids & Pets.
What kills slugs the best?
The top slug killers listed below are a good place to start the search for the best slug killer for your yard and garden.BEST OVERALL: Monterey LG6500 Sluggo Wildlife and Pet Safe Slug Killer.RUNNER UP: Natria 706190A Snail and Slug Killer Bait.BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Garden Safe 4536 Slug & Snail Bait (HG-4536) (2lb)More items...•
What do slugs hate most?
Slugs dislike plants with heavily fragranced foliage, like many common herbs. They also dislike plants with fuzzy or furry foliage. Slugs are a favorite food of many different predators. Encourage birds, snakes, lizards, toads, frogs, ground beetles, and other natural predators to make a home in your garden.
What causes slug infestation?
Slugs like to hide under moist plant debris as the mulch on them during the night. Slugs also wriggle and make room for themselves under rocks, weeds, and fallen logs. The key ingredient that invites slugs into lawns is moisture.
What time of year are slugs most active?
Slugs remain active throughout the year, unlike snails, which are dormant during autumn and winter. Warmer weather, combined with damp conditions greatly increases their activity. Slugs are most active after dark or in wet weather.
Where do slugs go during the day?
damp placesSlugs and snails hide in damp places during the day. They stay under logs and stones or under ground cover. They also hide under planters and low decks. At night they come out to eat.
What naturally kills slugs?
Coffee grounds, wood ashes, sand, crushed eggshells, and diatomaceous earth (DE) all do this when sprinkled around plants—with DE being the most deadly. Another barrier option is copper tape or copper wire.
Does wd40 stop slugs?
WD-40. To deter snails in your container garden, you can set up barriers around your plants or their containers. For example, you can spray a band of waterproof WD-40 around your containers, and the snails and slugs will be unable to climb up it.
How do you make homemade slug killer?
Ammonia or vinegar - 1 part ammonia to 10 parts water for seedlings and tender young plants, adjust ratio accordingly) - Dissolves slugs and doesn't burn foliage, adds nitrogen to the soil.
How do I get rid of snails permanently?
Kill Snails With Salt, Chemicals, or Pesticides If you want to kill snails, you can do so with salt. Salt, for example, absorbs water from mollusks, which dehydrates and kills them. Sprinkle the salt directly onto the snails or use a thick layer of it to create a barrier.
What household item kills slugs?
Table salt is an excellent home remedy to kill slugs and snails instantly. Sprinkle it on these pests. It will absorb their body fluids and dehydrate them to death. Epsom salt works similarly for controlling these pests.
How do you make homemade slug killer?
Ammonia or vinegar - 1 part ammonia to 10 parts water for seedlings and tender young plants, adjust ratio accordingly) - Dissolves slugs and doesn't burn foliage, adds nitrogen to the soil.
What happens when you put vinegar on a slug?
Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar. Vinegar can be used as a natural pesticide. It contains acetic acid, which dries out and kills pests like slugs.
Can soapy water kill slugs?
Though you might rarely see them (they are night feeders), these slimy little creatures can do some serious damage. When you see slugs, you can try to remove them by hand and kill them in a pail of soapy water.
What to consider when choosing a slug killer?
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Slug Killer. Slug killers are used to control slug infestations in your yard and garden so you can enjoy your flowers and any fruit or vegetables yielded from the garden without concern for slimy pests. Criteria to keep in mind when selecting a slug killer include coverage, form, ingredients, ...
How long does it take for sulfur to kill a slug?
However, it works at a faster pace and could take as little as 1 to 3 days to kill the slug. Slug killers that use sulfur aren’t a good idea for homes with kids and pets; if sulfur is ingested in high enough quantities, it can be harmful and even fatal.
How long do slug killer pellets last?
The pellets are distributed evenly around the garden and then placed strategically in areas where water pools. The pellets can last for up to 40 days before they need to be replaced and are designed to be resistant to rain.
How long does it take for slug pellets to kill?
The pellets will lure and kill any nearby slugs, taking about 3 to 6 days to kill affected pests. Safe to use in vegetable gardens and areas surrounding fruit trees, this slug killer remains effective after heavy rain.
How many feet can a slug killer stretch?
The slug killer has a wide range of effects that can stretch from 1,500 to 3,000 feet, based on a ratio of 0.5 to 1 pound of slug killer per 1,000 feet. It can be applied by sprinkling the pellets carefully from the package using the twist-cap spout.
How far does a slug killer cover?
The coverage is a product-specific feature that varies in range from 50 feet to more than 1,000 feet, so it’s important to read the product information and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for use.
What are slugs good for?
Slugs are great for cleaning up dead garden debris and providing nitrogen-rich fertilizer that can help your garden thrive, but when the population of these pests increases rapidly, you have an infestation on your hands that can destroy flower bulbs, eat seedlings, chew through leaves, and make a mess of your vegetable garden. ...
How to kill slugs in grass?
Spray the slugs with the vinegar solution. Do not spray nearby plants or grass because vinegar also acts as an herbicide. If you trapped the slugs under a wooden board, move the board to an isolated area before spraying. The slugs slowly dissolve from the vinegar spray.
How to make a spray for grass?
Fill a spray bottle with 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water. If this proves to be ineffective, increase the vinegar concentration. You can also use pure vinegar, though, extra caution is needed around plants and grass.
How to get slime off hands?
Clean your hands with white vinegar and warm water if you get slug slime on them.
Can vinegar kill slugs?
If you want an organic and cheap solution to your slug problem, look no further than your kitchen cupboard. While it may be a bit gross, you can kill and dissolve those pesky slugs with vinegar.
How to make slug spray?
You can make caffeine spray for slugs by brewing 2-3 regular cups of coffee each in 1 oz of water. Do not dilute the caffeine spray with water, your main goal is to get a high concentration of caffeine in the spray which actually kills the slugs. You will need a concentration of around 1-3% of caffeine in the solution to maximize the effectiveness of the slug spray.
Where to spray for slugs?
Make sure to spray around your plants and in areas where you might think the slugs are hiding, below planks of wood, empty containers , and so on, this way you will get them before they can do any damage.
How to get rid of slugs in my house?
Brew 2-3 cups of coffee, and use around 1 oz of water per cup, and do not dilute it further with water. Let it cool off in a container, after it has cooled add it to the spray bottle, make sure before using it to give it a good shake. After you have sprayed the caffeine spray around your plants the slugs will be munching on your mulch or even plants. As they are eating they will inevitably ingest the highly concentrated caffeine which poisons them. If you also have a tick problem then check out my recent article How to get rid of ticks in the house naturally? ( Top 16 Ways ).
What happens if you spray caffeine on plants?
After you have sprayed the caffeine spray around your plants the slugs will be munching on your mulch or even plants. As they are eating they will inevitably ingest the highly concentrated caffeine which poisons them.
Can you use caffeine spray after rain?
As you have probably noticed most slugs will come out in large numbers after a rain, and rain tends to wash away everything, including the caffeine spray. Once the rain has stopped, go out and use the caffeine spray, and you will notice significantly better results this way.
Can you spray caffeine on slugs?
Do Not Spray The Caffeine Spray For Slugs Directly On Your Plants. While you are using the caffeine spray make sure to spray the area around your plants, and not the actual plants. Most plants will not suffer from some caffeine, but as the spray is highly concentrated some will be harmed if you spray it directly onto them.
Does caffeine spray work against slugs?
A lot of people will tell you to just brew a cup of coffee and dilute it with water, but the truth is that this doesn’t work. The higher the concentration of caffeine is in the spray the more effective it will be, ...
How Do You Kill Slugs with Ammonia?
Does ammonia kill slugs? If so, how do you apply it without causing damage to your plants? Luckily, there are a few ways you can apply ammonia to and around your hostas to get at the slugs without damaging your plant. Depending on which way you choose, you may have to dilute the ammonia.
When do slugs start showing up?
I mentioned that slug larvae start showing up in the early spring and summer months, so I go out and drench my soil right after the frost leaves. I’ll do the 9 or 10 parts water stronger solution for the first round. Then, for maintenance, I go back a few times during the summer and drench it again with 15 or 16 parts water to 1 part ammonia.
How to kill hosta eggs?
You can use ammonia to kill pest eggs around your hostas in the soil. Ammonia will break down the egg’s surface when it comes into contact with it, and this prevents the eggs from hatching. However, the ammonia has to come into direct contact with the eggs for it to work.
How to make your lawn more alkaline?
Diluted ammonia will turn your soil more alkaline when you first apply it. Over time, the ammonia can get converted to nitrate to increase your soil’s acidity. Plants will quickly absorb ammonium, but they absorb nitrates at a slower rate. This makes nitrates safer to use. Ammonium will also cause your lawn to grow quickly, but it can also easily burn and turn brown. Your plants will absorb ammonium and nitrate through the assimilation process. Once they do, they convert them into organic molecules with nitrogen.
Does ammonia kill aphids?
You should notice a decrease in the number of slugs around, especially if you choose to drench the soil. Ammonia works to kill aphids, and it’s toxic to a range of insects. So, this is both a short and long-term result you can get when you use ammonia to kill slugs.
Can you spray ammonia on eggs?
This is where the drenching the soil method comes in. You can spray too, but you have a higher chance of missing eggs. If you miss them, the ammonia won’t kill the eggs and they’ll hatch.
Can ammonia kill hostas?
Yes. It can easily burn the leaves. Ammonia can also kill your hostas and any plants around it because it’s a strong chemical, and this is why it’s important to use the chemical with forethought and care.
How to get rid of slugs in my garden?
Grab a small piece of wood or even a plank. Run it underneath the water, so it’s fairly wet and damp. Place it next to the slug and snails’ favorite hangout spot in the garden. The next day, head back out to your garden and revisit the area you left your wooden piece.
How to kill snails and slugs in garden?
Lucky for you, it can be used in a sneaky and clever way to get them killed and removed from your garden. Follow these steps below to properly use cornmeal in order to properly kill the snails and slugs. Grab cornmeal from your kitchen. Find a jar and put the cornmeal inside of it .
How Do Snails and Slugs Damage Gardens?
When first hearing about snails and slugs invading gardens, it’s hard to believe they can actually be harmful. They are small, slow creatures, that don’t seem to appear in large numbers, but snails and slugs have giant appetites. They love to eat and will eat almost everything.
What is the best way to get rid of snails and slugs in your garden?
2. Beer. Another popular beverage that helps get rid of these snails and slugs is beer, specifically, flat beer.
How to tell if a snail is in your garden?
The way to tell if a slug or snail is present is by noticing the different types of holes you’ll be able to easily see in different plants in the garden.
Why is wood ash bad for snails?
The reason why wood ash is so bad for snails and slugs is that it dehydrates them. Unfortunately, snails and slugs aren’t the only living things it’s been known to dehydrate.
What does it feel like when a snail comes in contact with copper?
One of those specific objects is copper. When a snail or slug comes in contact with anything made of copper, it will immediately feel a sudden shock throughout their body.
What are slugs in Pennsylvania?
Slugs are actually mollusks. There are a few different species of slugs in Pennsylvania. Some are small; others can reach up to 8 inches long. They overwinter as eggs, immature or mature slugs in protected areas in fields, including under boards, plastic or decaying vegetation. Slugs are especially troublesome in no-till fields with lots ...
How many times do slugs lay eggs?
They can lay eggs up to 6 times a year. Slugs damage plants by chewing holes in leaves and fruit.
What is a natural slug repellent?
Natural Slug Repellent. By Joan Clark. Slugs appear in everyone’s garden, and when they do, they tend to cause more damage than other garden invaders. Though there are chemically-induced products to solve slug related issues, it’s not wise to purchase them, as they are toxic to birds and other animals. Have you ever tried creating your own natural ...
What is the best slug deterrent?
Effective Slug Deterrent: Diatomaceous Earth. Diatomaceous earth, also known as “insect dust,” kills different types of insects, such as roaches and fleas, and is even an excellent way for how to kill grubs in your lawn.
What is the best way to keep slugs away from grapefruit?
Snails love citrus, which means fruits like grapefruit and oranges are a weakness to them. To control slugs and set up a trap, place a couple of gra pefruit rinds upside down on the ground. Make sure the slugs can enter the grapefruit.
How to get rid of slugs in coffee?
Using Coffee Grounds to Get Rid of Slugs. If you’re looking for a useful slug killer tip, grind up your coffee beans or head to the local market and pick up coffee grounds. Sprinkle the grounds on top of the soil you’re protecting and watch the slugs run away. Caffeine sometimes kills snails when they ingest it.
How to trap slugs in beer?
Natural Slug Repellent Trap using Beer. Slugs are attracted to beer. Go to the store and pick up a can or two of beer. Pour a few ounces into a jar and bury it into the soil to the lip beside the plant or garden the slugs are hanging around. The snails will eventually crawl into these beer traps and drown.
How long do slugs stay away from soil?
Nematodes can keep slugs away from your soil for up to six weeks.
How to keep slugs away from plant?
Crushing up eggshells at home is a great way to implement pest control methods for slugs. Once you’ve crushed eggshells into small pieces, place them around any plant, garden, or flower bed you want to keep safe from slug damage.
How to get rid of slugs in the night?
If you’re feeling particularly vengeful, gather your salt shaker and a flashlight, and venture out at night for some real slug hunting. Sprinkle a little salt on every slug you see; it will draw the water out of it’s watery body, causing the creature to dry up. It seems gruesome, but this solution is very effective.
How to keep slugs out of my yard?
If your outdoor spaces have been overrun, try one of these methods for deterring and eliminating slugs. 1. Distract with Shiny Objects. Copper creates an unpleasant electrical shock when slugs come into contact with it, which will deter them from passing.
What do slugs do in the ecosystem?
Even the smallest slugs play a big role in the ecosystem, feeding on decomposing matter and in turn providing protein for wild critters like raccoons and chipmunks . But however important these slimy creatures may be, that doesn’t make it any more pleasant when we find them noshing on the plants we worked so hard to grow in our gardens.
How to keep slugs away from copper flashing?
Keep in mind that this trick will only deter the slugs—not kill existing varieties. 2. Crack Open a Cold One. Slugs like beer as much as they like the leafy greens of your garden plants.
What is a slug's Achilles ankle?
A slug’s Achilles ankle is its soft body, easily irritated by sharp or dry materials. Use this to your advantage by sprinkling wood ashes, diatomaceous earth, gravel, or lava rock in a wide band around individual plants—or the entire garden—to discourage slugs, as they won’t want to crawl across the bumpy barrier.
Do slugs like beer?
Slugs like beer as much as they like the leafy greens of your garden plants. Crack open a beer and pour it into a few margarine tubs, then distribute the containers in various places around the yard, burying them so that about an inch remains above ground.
Can salt be harmful to plants?
Just be cautious when dispensing salt, as an abundance of the seasoning can harm your plants and soil. For the most part, slugs thrive in highly moist environments. One of the best preventative measures you can take is to make sure your garden does not stay overly wet.

Ammonia: What Is It?
How Do You Kill Slugs with Ammonia?
- Does ammonia kill slugs? If so, how do you apply it without causing damage to your plants? Luckily, there are a few ways you can apply ammonia to and around your hostas to get at the slugs without damaging your plant. Depending on which way you choose, you may have to dilute the ammonia. Ammonia works on snails and adult slugs. But, if you want the best results, ammo…
Short and Long-Term Results of Killing Slugs with Ammonia
- You’re really playing the long game when you use ammonia to kill slugs around your hostas. But, you can see some short-term results too. You should notice a decrease in the number of slugs around, especially if you choose to drench the soil. Ammonia works to kill aphids, and it’s toxic to a range of insects. So, this is both a short and long-term result you can get when you use ammo…
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can ammonia hurt plants?
Yes. It can easily burn the leaves. Ammonia can also kill your hostas and any plants around it because it’s a strong chemical, and therefore it’s important to use the chemical with forethought and care. - Is household ammonia good for hostas?
Yes, and no. It’s good in the sense that it can eliminate slugs and a few other pests, as well as make a small amount of fertilizer available in the soil. It’s bad in the sense that if you use it improperly, you can kill your plants or even harm you. However, this is true of many garden chem…
Closing Thoughts
- Finding out that you can kill slugs with ammonia can open the door to a whole new opportunity to treat a slug infestation in your garden and save your hostas. Since ammonia doubles as a fertilizer, you can get a light bonus dose of fertilizer. If you’ve made it this far and you learned something new, I invite you to bookmark it and check back regularly to see new tips to keep you…