Gardeners across the UK are being urged to lay down eggshells on flowerbeds this week as rainy September weather returns, a simple and free method to protect plants from hungry slugs and snails.
After a scorching hot summer that put strain on plants, the recent rain is welcome, but it also brings an increased risk of slugs and snails emerging in large numbers. These pests are extremely hungry after months of dry weather and can overwhelm plants that are just recovering from drought, potentially killing beloved flowers if left unchecked.
Expert shares natural solution
Sara McFall, a gardener and founder of My Merry Messy Life, has shared a simple way to stop these pests without using harsh chemicals or spending any money.
Sara said: “All of those plants are delicious snacks for little snails and slugs and they will eat them to death if we let them. Since we are also passionate about not using chemicals in the yard, we had to get creative to get rid of those slimy thieves. The solution? Eggshells!”
Eggshells have jagged edges that slugs and snails, with their soft, mucus-covered bodies, will not want to crawl over. The shells can also dry out their bodies, making it harder for them to move, as these pests need moisture to survive.
How to apply eggshells
To use this method, save eggshells in a jar, rinse them under water, and dry them out either in the sun or in the oven. Once dry, crush them in a plastic bag with a rolling pin and spread the pieces underneath plants and around flowerbeds.
Eggshells also feed the soil as they break down, providing plants with nutrients to survive the cold autumn weather. However, shells can break down quickly in wet conditions, so it is best to add new eggshells once a week.
Sara said: “Add more shells every week. We’ve found that to be the most effective - when we skip a week, they come back.”
