Gardeners plagued by slugs this spring can protect their plants with a straightforward change to their watering routine. According to experts at Gardeners' World, watering plants first thing in the morning allows the soil to dry by evening, making it less appealing to the nocturnal pests.
Slugs are most active at night and rely on damp soil to move easily between plants. By watering early, gardeners can create a drier environment that discourages slug activity without using harsh chemicals. This method is both safe for plants and humane for the creatures.
For those seeking additional natural controls, applying biological controls containing microscopic nematodes to the soil in the evening can infect slugs with bacteria, killing them within six weeks. Multiple applications throughout the growing season are needed, but focusing on priority areas like vegetable patches is most practical.
Other popular slug deterrents include manual removal after dark, creating slug traps with old vegetables or cat food, using copper rings around plants to deliver a mild electric shock, and laying barriers of grit or bark. Beer traps sunk into the ground with a loose lid to protect small animals are also effective.
While 40 different slug species exist in the UK, and some help by eating dead plant matter, the simple step of morning watering remains one of the easiest ways to reduce damage this spring.
