Can garlic repel and deter slugs and snails? Garlic is supposed to help against almost everything—for example against ticks, moles, voles, and now also against snails. Here is a test that shows how slugs and snails react to garlic. Why should garlic work? Snails and slugs do not eat garlic. Leeks, chives, wild garlic and … Read more
I was asked whether snails could be repelled with sodium bicarbonate or vinegar. Unfortunately, there was a lack of concrete information on this. What is sodium bicarbonate? Normally, baking soda – also called sodium bicarbonate – is used for baking. That is why it is mostly called baking soda or food soda. It is contained … Read more
Can mint keep snails and slugs away from endangered plants? I am always skeptical at first about new methods to keep slugs away. Hence, I also put mint to the test—see videos below. Theory: Mint against snails & slugs The slug control discourse gave rise to the idea of using the dried mint leaves from … Read more
Lava stones have a rough surface with many sharp edges. Therefore, lava rock is supposed to deter slugs and snails. Lava granules (also called lava mulch or lava grit) should be scattered around threatened plants or spread over a large area in the bed. Natural Lava Rocks | Granules | 100% Pure Volcanic Rock Click … Read more
Water is an insurmountable obstacle for land slugs and snails. This is at least a widespread opinion. Land snails breathe air and drown if they fall into water. I tested whether slugs and snails really cannot overcome water barriers in a small experiment. A reader suggested simply turning slug collars upside down and filling the … Read more
Leopard slugs (Limax maximus) are often regarded as pests. In Europe, this is a misconception because these slugs belong to the extremely useful inhabitants in the garden. In the parts of America, Australia, Asia, and Africa, leopard slugs are an invasive species and could be harmful to the environment. But normally the harm they do … Read more
Many insects like to eat slugs, snails, and their eggs. For example, the larvae of fireflies are diligent snail exterminators. They feed almost exclusively on snails and slugs for several years. Firefly larvae follow the slime trail of the snails and kill them with poisonous bites. The extinction of light-sensitive fireflies can contribute to a … Read more
The idea of deterring slugs with plants comes up again and again. To achieve this, one should plant strong-smelling herbs as a protective wall around endangered vegetable and flower beds. In addition, it is recommended to use plant sap or plant liquid manure as a slug repellent. In principle, these measures should be viewed critically … Read more
Whether sheep wool mats / rolls really help to deter slugs and snails is controversial. If you read through the product reviews, you will find both top and flop ratings. So, it was time to put wool mats to the test and carry out a simple experiment. Previously, I had experimented with other sheep’s wool … Read more
It is sometimes said that slugs (especially the Spanish slug) taste bitter and that for this reason, many animals won’t eat them. That is not correct. Slugs and snails have many natural predators. However, for various reasons, their enemies are disappearing in many areas. This is one of the main reasons why slug populations are … Read more