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 […]
Author: Alexander Boeckmann
Gardening in harmony with nature.
Sheep’s Wool/Hair to Repel Snails and Slugs | Wool Pellets Field Test
Can sheep’s wool deter slugs and snails? The theory: Wool and hair absorb the slime from slugs and snails and thereby repel them. Some of the ingredients in the wool (such as salt) might also be responsible. In field tests, I found out how sheep wool can work to control slugs. Does Sheep’s Wool/Hair Deter […]
How to Attract Birds to Your Garden | And How to Hang a Birdhouse
There are many reasons to attract birds to your garden. One reason is that apart from hedgehogs, toads, and beetles, birds are perhaps the most industrious slug and snail hunters. They are an especially valuable help in spring, when young slugs and snails hatch from their eggs and are easy prey. The hungry birds are […]
Using Lime in the Garden Against Snails and Slugs
How Does Lime Work? This method relies on the corrosive effect of lime and on the fact that it absorbs moisture. For these reasons, snails avoid crawling over lime. If they did, they would lose a lot of mucus and, in the process, vital body fluid. Some people also believe that a snail’s sole or […]
Runner Ducks – The Slug Hunters. Think Twice Before Keeping Them.
Do Runners Keep Their Promises? Runner ducks are currently a trend in slug control. Although many people talk about them, hardly anyone has tried keeping runner ducks. Here, you will learn everything you need to know about runner ducks and how to keep them healthy in the garden. But first, who are these ducks and […]
Natural Slug Control: Effective, Organic, Non-violent | Protect Plants Against Slugs and Snails
Here, you will find ways to control slugs and snails effectively without using chemicals or harming these creatures. In general, there are two types of ways to protect your garden: 1. Emergency measures to stop acute infestations in the short-term: Feeding and distracting pests Setting up (beer-free) traps and going on a slug watch Setting […]
Snail and Slug Population Booms: Reasons & Countermeasures
The search for causes of slug and snail population booms always leads to the same question: Why are there not enough natural enemies present? Causes for snail and slug problems As slugs and snails are native in most parts of the world, there should also be natural enemies present. These enemies should keep the slug […]
Wood Ash to Deter Slugs and Snails in the Garden | Does It Work?
The Theory: Ash Should Repel Slugs and Snails The drier it is underground, the harder it becomes for slugs and snails to move around. So, dusting the soil with ash should mean it becomes less attractive for slugs to cross. Moving on the ash makes slugs and snails lose fluid and slime, so they find […]
Electric Slug Fences | Construction, Tips and Tricks
Electric fences work to deter sheep and horses. Why shouldn’t they work with slugs and snails? No creature likes to get an electric shock! That is why inventors and gardeners have designed different products and have tried to secure beds against slugs by using electricity. Electric fences work relatively well, but only a few products […]
Spanish Slugs: Who Are They and What Can Be Done About Them?
Their Latin name is Arion vulgaris, but they’re better known as the nightmare of many gardeners under their common name, ‘Spanish slug’. Sometimes in the media, they’re called: killer slug, killer snail or cannibal slug. The Spanish slug is closely related to common red slugs (Arion rufus) and can mate with them. The species are […]
