Slugs are a common garden pest, but they play an important role in biodiversity. Around 250 different species of slugs can be found in Switzerland! While they can be pesky, eating your carefully cultivated vegetables, they also help break down plant waste and decaying wood.
Why Slugs Matter and Why They’re a Problem
Slugs are vital for maintaining a healthy ecosystem. They help decompose organic material and serve as an important food source for animals like hedgehogs and orvets. However, for most gardeners, slugs are more of a pest than a helper, as they love to feast on the plants you’ve worked hard to cultivate.
How to Keep Slugs Out of Your Garden
Prevention is Key: The simplest way to protect your garden from slugs is to prevent them from entering in the first place. One particularly effective method is to install slug-proof fences around your plants. Ensure that no part of the plant crosses the fence, as this could create a bridge for slugs to enter. If you find that slugs are already inside the fenced area, they can be easily removed by hand.
Attract Natural Predators: Cultivating a natural and diverse garden can attract many of the slugs’ natural predators, such as hedgehogs, shrews, orvets, and lizards. These animals can help manage the slug population before it becomes a problem.
Choose the Right Plants: Growing plants that are less attractive to slugs, such as lavender, rosemary, thyme, or ferns, can also help keep slugs away from your garden. Additionally, water your garden in the morning and focus on watering the roots. The less moisture on the surface, the less likely it is to attract slugs.
How to Get Rid of Existing Slugs
Avoid Poison: While slug pellets can be effective, they are toxic and pose a risk to other animals and the environment. Instead, consider more natural methods. For instance, Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, a species of nematode, preys exclusively on slugs and poses no danger to other animals or humans. This method is particularly useful for controlling small white, beige, or black horticultural slugs living in the soil.
Manual Removal: Without using poison, the best way to eliminate slugs is to remove them manually. This is most effective early in the morning or after it rains, when slugs are most active.
Beware of Ineffective Methods: Many forums suggest using beer traps, spreading coffee grounds, or salt to deter slugs. However, these methods are either ineffective or harmful to both slugs and the environment, and they can even damage your plants.
Conclusion
While slugs are an important part of the ecosystem, they can become a significant problem for gardeners. By taking preventive measures, attracting natural predators, and using safe methods to remove slugs, you can protect your garden without harming the environment. Avoid the pitfalls of ineffective or harmful methods, and instead focus on sustainable practices that benefit both your garden and the ecosystem as a whole.
