| How is the best way to kill slugs in my flower beds? |
| You can try to deter them by putting a barrier around your plants. Copper strips are expensive, but effective. You can also use crushed egg shells or diatomaceous earth around the stems of your plants. If you can sprinkle dry soil around the stems, that will deter them, too. Another way to lower the population is to go out at night with a flashlight and harvest any snails you see. If you eliminate hiding places in your garden, they may go elsewhere to feast. Remove any plant debris that might provide moisture and shade for the critters. You can set up a trap by inverting a terra-cotta flower pot in your garden, propping it up with a stone so the snails will crawl under and into it. In the morning, remove the collection of snails that you find hiding in the trap. There are two chemical controls on the market; Sluggo is made from iron and won't harm children, pets or birds; granulated or liquid metaldehyde (such as Cory's or Deadline) is also effective but can harm children and pets. Best wishes with your eradication project! |
