Did you know that Lavender, Thyme, Sage, Geraniums and Mint are all natural slug "repellent" plants? Planting them in your garden will encourage slugs to visit your neighbor!
Yes, slugs are the bane of many a NW gardener. The conventional way to rid the garden of slugs was to use toxic poisons. Metaldehyde has killed countless innocent birds and pets over the years, not to mention beneficial earthworms and insects.
Environmentally friendly Iron Phosphate has gained popularity over the years. This can be purchased at any garden store. The EPA reports that Iron Phosphate has no observed toxicity to mammals, birds, fish or insects.
If you want to kill or repel slugs the organic way, here are some ideas:
1. Send the kids on a slug hunt. Give them a dime for every slug that they bring in. This will dramatically reduce current populations.
2. Pine needles, bark, sawdust, bark and crushed eggshells are natural barriers for slugs.
3. Snails and slugs just LOVE beer. Pour a beer and a shallow container and you'll find dead slugs in the morning.
4. Get a pet duck. Pet ducks love to eat slugs!
5. Frequent hoeing and turning of dirt in bare areas will bring up the eggs, which birds will feast on!
6. Create simple traps such as upturned flower pots and wooden boards. They like these areas to hide in. Check them daily and dispatch them. Conversely remove unnecessary debris in the garden that slugs will attract to.
So there you have it! Many environmentally friendly ways to rid your garden of those pesky slugs.
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