Since there is still much discussion on this topic, I carried out a simple test.
I dried and crushed the shells of uncooked eggs.
Then I placed them on a table and formed a little wall of around two inches (five centimeters) wide and put some snails and slugs in the middle.
What happened next is shown in the following time-lapse video.
Video: The eggshell field test
Unfortunately, the experiment indicated that eggshells do not really work in the battle against slugs.
The slugs were not afraid of the shells and crawled over them with little hesitation.
One snail, however, was unwilling to cross the eggshell wall.
You can see clearly that it was put off by the shells.
The same was true for the leopard slug at the beginning of the video.
But after a few attempts, it finally made its way over the barrier a few times.
Conclusion
The final evaluation of this method of controlling slugs is not clear.
The slight repelling effect could have been the result of the wrong application.
Perhaps the shells were not small enough.
Or they went over them because they were left only with a small way out, so they had to take the route over the shells to escape.
It may also have been due to the influence of the moon that the results turned out to be poor. (I did not stick to the recommendations regarding the moon cycle.)
Personally, I doubt the influence of the moon could make a big difference in this matter.
Hi, I recently read this from a Guardian article from 2018 and wondered if anyone has had any luck with this approach. “Fortunately, nature has a simple solution. Allicin is a defence compound created by garlic bulbs which both repels and kills slugs and snails. To harness this, simply put a bulb of garlic in a litre of water and blitz it in a food processor. Leave to stand for 10 minutes for the chemical reaction that creates allicin to complete, then strain off the solids and pour the liquid into a spray bottle. OK, as you might have guessed, this stuff does have rather a strong salad dressing smell, but has proven incredibly effective for me – much more so than turning my garden blue with slug pellets. All you need to do is spray it liberally over the plants you find most susceptible just as night begins to fall.” Thanks
instead of eggshell use salt as barrier this is 100% effective although the salt might melt overnight the liquid salt will still hurt them. so make sure to use something to hold the salt until it melts.
Mix salt with the eggshells that would surely work.
Dear friend, to use salt in the garden normally isn’t a good idea. More info here: Salt against slugs?
I’m an organic lady and I use them every year. Just a sprinkle on top of the container or ground and I’m quite happy with the result. And yes good for the soil as is the water that you boiled them in. The garlic works as well along with the copper method. Also they don’t come out during the day and I’ve found them under the pots in the greenhouse on plants that have not been outside. I’m open to anything that helps except chemical sprays.
Dear Marian, thank you for your message. I tested copper as well as garlic but with different results. Here you can find more information: copper against slugs. And on YouTube you find the video with the garlic test: https://youtu.be/cHtlK5FpTvE May you deeply enjoy the wonders in your garden, Alex
I own snails. They love eggshells it provides them with calcium for their shelves
My coriander stands no chance, so much so that I have stopped trying, which is a great pity because very much little pollinator insects love it. Oregano and parsley are left completely untouched. I have also given up with sage. So many wasted plants.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Captive snails eat egg shell as part of their diet. If anything youre providing a supplement along side your plants!
Hi, I recently read this from a Guardian article from 2018 and wondered if anyone has had any luck with this approach.
“Fortunately, nature has a simple solution. Allicin is a defence compound created by garlic bulbs which both repels and kills slugs and snails. To harness this, simply put a bulb of garlic in a litre of water and blitz it in a food processor. Leave to stand for 10 minutes for the chemical reaction that creates allicin to complete, then strain off the solids and pour the liquid into a spray bottle. OK, as you might have guessed, this stuff does have rather a strong salad dressing smell, but has proven incredibly effective for me – much more so than turning my garden blue with slug pellets. All you need to do is spray it liberally over the plants you find most susceptible just as night begins to fall.” Thanks
I’m looking for a plant safe and pet safe solution for brown slugs
instead of eggshell use salt as barrier this is 100% effective although the salt might melt overnight the liquid salt will still hurt them. so make sure to use something to hold the salt until it melts.
Hello Toons,
salt is a double-edged sword. Be careful not to harm your plants.
I wrote about this topic here: Salt against slugs?
May you have a beautiful day.
Alex
Mix salt with the eggshells that would surely work.
Dear friend, to use salt in the garden normally isn’t a good idea. More info here: Salt against slugs?
I’m an organic lady and I use them every year. Just a sprinkle on top of the container or ground and I’m quite happy with the result. And yes good for the soil as is the water that you boiled them in.
The garlic works as well along with the copper method. Also they don’t come out during the day and I’ve found them under the pots in the greenhouse on plants that have not been outside. I’m open to anything that helps except chemical sprays.
Dear Marian,
thank you for your message. I tested copper as well as garlic but with different results.
Here you can find more information: copper against slugs.
And on YouTube you find the video with the garlic test: https://youtu.be/cHtlK5FpTvE
May you deeply enjoy the wonders in your garden,
Alex
I own snails. They love eggshells it provides them with calcium for their shelves
My coriander stands no chance, so much so that I have stopped trying, which is a great pity because very much little pollinator insects love it. Oregano and parsley are left completely untouched. I have also given up with sage. So many wasted plants.