Slugs and snails are counted among the worst pests across the globe as they leave a trail of unsightly and damaged holes in their wake.
The molluscs’ worst offence is eating flowering shrubs and other edible plants – namely succulent foliage – all year round.
Fortunately, birds typically make a feast out of the slugs and snails roaming our gardens, leaving few behind. When an infestation occurs, however, numbers can quickly become unmanageable, calling for further action.
Though there are myriad poison baits on the market that promise to control slug numbers, natural methods have proven equally effective in most cases.
For example, experts at Urban Undergrowth say that “grapefruit halves are a great natural slug and snail bait”.
Don’t miss…
Easily keep slugs and snails out of your garden with no harsh chemicals[INFORMER]
Eight humane methods to get rid of slugs and snails from your garden[INSIGHT]
Slugs and snails ‘instantly turn away’ from plants with cheap ‘homemade spray’[INFORMER]
“It might sound counter-productive to creating a nice, sheltered spot for slugs to hide during the day but you can flip them over at a time to suit you then remove, kill or drop them into your compost heap.”
This trapping hack may prove equally effective when using grapefruit rinds. In a similar vein, the emptied grapefruits can be positioned upside down in your garden to attract pests.
The citrus will attract the pests who will crawl inside the fruit, leaving gardeners to dispose of the molluscs any way they wish the following day.
Cabbage leaves and cut potatoes can also serve as traps as long as they’re frequently checked for the removal of slugs.
Alternatively, cups of beer, milk and years have been known to catch a significant amount of mollusc.
“There needs to be a lot of these traps to be effective,” however, according to Smart Gardener. “At least one for every square yard.”
The best way to rid your outdoor space of snails is to combine a snail trap with a long-term deterrent, such as a plant that they’re known to hate.
Introducing plants like Astrantia into your garden will give off a scent that repels slugs and acts as a natural pesticide.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Source: Read Full Article