Slugs will 'stay out of gardens for good' with 1 plant they absolutely hate

Slugs become increasingly prevalent during autumn months as they flourish in moist conditions and amongst lots of fallen foliage, yet there exists a straightforward method to banish them permanently. Experts advise checking beneath plant containers and decomposing leaves during this period, as slug breeding season is in full swing in September.

Whilst chemical pellets represent one of the most widespread approaches for tackling slugs, it comes strongly advised against using them as they pose risks to domestic animals and wildlife that naturally regulate slug numbers, including birds and hedgehogs. Alternatively, Jane, a horticulturist and creator of Snap Dragon Life, revealed how she stumbled upon a method to organically repel slugs through the simple act of cultivating one stunning bloom throughout her garden. Jane explained: "I planted out my rows of carefully nurtured seedlings - cornflowers, marigolds, poppies, cosmos, nigella, snapdragons. Within two days the slugs had eaten everything but the snapdragons. Slugs don't like snapdragons."

Whilst it might appear peculiar, snapdragons rank amongst the most efficient methods for excluding slugs from gardens as they naturally possess compounds that prove poisonous to slugs whilst remaining harmless to humans.

Snapdragons additionally hold less water content compared to alternative plants and feature a resilient, leather-like consistency, causing slugs to perceive a garden as lacking suitable resources and increasing their likelihood of abandoning the vicinity. It's advisable to position snapdragons close to susceptible plants like lettuces, cabbages, or other foliage that slugs typically attack, whilst also placing them alongside garden pathways and boundaries.

Beer trap method

Should slugs pose a significant issue for you currently, then an excellent approach to prevent them from nibbling on plants involves creating a lure that these pests will find irresistible but which will swiftly eliminate them.

Jane explained: "Slugs love beer, any beer, even the terrible beer that people bring to parties, even failed home-brew. Save small jars or pots (single yoghurt pots work fine) and bury them up to their necks between where the slugs are likely to be living and your plants."

Top up the vessels with beer and slugs will find this more appealing than the vegetation. Slugs will also struggle to escape from the vessel and will perish, making it a straightforward yet remarkably successful slug deterrent trap.

Cereal trap method

Should you lack beer at home, you can alternatively employ cereal, as when exposed to outdoor elements it will start to ferment mildly and slugs will be tremendously drawn to it.

Jane explained: "The only thing better than beer in the mind of a slug is cereal. They can't resist it. Rather than using piles of bran which can get messy, I use cheap own-brand Weetabix-type cereal and again place it between the slugs and the crops."

You can lure the slugs into a large container using cereal, and once they've gathered, you can either pick them out or simply dispose of the entire container.

Jane shared her own experience: "This is the way that I dealt with slugs in my first garden - logging the numbers in a weird serial killer-y garden notebook. I stopped counting when I got past 4,000. It is less messy if you combine it with the Weetabix technique.

"Simply leave the Weetabix for three days and then go out at night and collect up all the Weetabix that should by now be covered with feasting slugs."