Gardener Adam Kirtland, known on TikTok as 'The View from the Potting Bench', has shared a natural, chemical-free method to deter slugs and snails from eating plants. The hack uses egg shells, which also break down over time to add calcium back into the soil.
Natural Deterrent Without Chemicals
For gardeners frustrated by slugs and snails ravaging their plants, reaching for chemical pesticides might seem like the quickest fix. However, such products can harm other creatures in the garden, and gastropods play a vital role in the ecosystem. Deterring them is preferable to destroying them.
Kirtland's solution is entirely natural and repurposes kitchen waste. He suggests crushing egg shells and scattering them around plants to prevent slugs from reaching them.
How to Apply the Hack
Kirtland advised: "Crush and scatter them around your plants to deter slugs and snails." He also recommends baking the shells beforehand to "make them extra crispy."
The shells serve a dual purpose. Beyond keeping pests away, they benefit plant growth over time. Kirtland noted: "Over time, they will rot away and add extra calcium back into your soil."
Long-Term Soil Benefits
The additional calcium enriches the soil, providing essential nutrients that support stronger, healthier plant development throughout the year.
