When you find snails or slugs in the garden and they’ve started demolishing your plants, you might be willing to do just about anything to get rid of these pests. For many people the first thought is to pick up a commercial snail repellent or the first slug-killing concoction you can find at your local garden store. While commercial products are usually effective, which is the main reason they are so appealing, they can also be expensive, harmful to beneficial insects and animals, or unnecessarily toxic.
So, before you go for more expensive, lethal, or toxic methods, try natural, non-toxic, and (mostly) non-lethal home remedies to keep snails and slugs out of gardens.
Does Baking Soda Kill Slugs? The Secret To A Pest-Free Garden
Finding slugs and snails munching away on the plants in your garden can be so frustrating. These slimy creatures can destroy seedlings leaves, stems flowers, and fruits and vegetables overnight, leaving behind a trail of holes and destruction. If you’ve battled slugs and snails before, you know how annoying it can be to walk outside and see your garden has become their late-night buffet.
While there are various chemical slug and snail baits and pellets on the market, many gardeners prefer to use natural, non-toxic methods for controlling these pests. One common item already in your kitchen can be the solution – baking soda. Using baking soda is an economical and environmentally-friendly way to banish slugs and snails from your garden beds.
In this article we’ll explore how baking soda works to kill slugs and snails, the most effective ways to use it and some precautions to keep in mind. Read on to unlock the secrets of using baking soda for a slug and snail-free garden.
How Does Baking Soda Kill Slugs and Snails?
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, contains sodium which can be dangerous to slugs and snails. These creatures have very sensitive, porous bodies that must stay moist in order for them to breathe and move around. When they come into direct contact with baking soda, it draws moisture out of their bodies through osmosis and causes fatal dehydration. The baking soda disrupts the protective mucus membrane on the outside of slugs and snails, causing water loss leading to death.
Additionally, if slugs or snails ingest baking soda, it can upset the pH balance in their bodies, also resulting in dehydration and death. The abrasive texture of baking soda may also physically irritate their soft skin. For all these reasons, sprinkling baking soda directly on slugs and snails or in areas they traverse is an effective way to kill them. The baking soda works similarly to salt, another common kitchen item used to dehydrate and kill slugs and snails.
Top Ways To Use Baking Soda Against Slugs and Snails
If you spot slugs or snails lurking in your garden, baking soda can quickly take care of the problem. Here are some of the top techniques for using baking soda as a natural pest control:
- Perimeter Barrier
One simple method is to sprinkle a line of baking soda around the edges of your garden beds and the bases of plants. This creates a barrier that irritates slugs and snails when they try to slither over it, causing them to turn away. Reapply after watering or rain to maintain the dehydrating barrier.
- Direct Contact
See a slug or snail munching on your plants? Sprinkle a light dusting of baking soda directly on the pest to swiftly kill it. You can also sprinkle baking soda onto known hiding spots and feeding areas, like under boards, rocks or logs, to take care of large numbers.
- Watering Can Application
For a more uniform coverage, mix 1 part baking soda to 8 parts water in a watering can. Gently sprinkle this solution onto areas plagued by slugs and snails. The mixture sticks to their bodies and kills them on contact. Reapply after rain.
- Trap
Place small containers such as yogurt cups or jars upside down in infested areas of the garden. Weight them down with a rock so they don’t blow away. Slugs and snails will be attracted to the dark, damp area under the container. Dust baking soda under the rim of the container to kill the pests.
Precautions When Using Baking Soda for Slug and Snail Control
When used correctly, baking soda is safe for gardens. But there are some important precautions to keep in mind:
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Only use a light sprinkling and avoid dumping piles of baking soda in the garden, as too much can damage plant roots and leaves.
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Do not spread baking soda directly on plant foliage, as it may burn the leaves. Instead, focus on the soil.
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Avoid using baking soda around acid-loving plants like azaleas, blueberries and hydrangeas, as it raises the soil pH.
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Reapply baking soda after rain or watering to maintain effectiveness.
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Combine baking soda with other eco-friendly methods like copper barriers and handpicking for best control.
The Benefits of Using Baking Soda Slug and Snail Control
Using baking soda to rid your garden of slugs and snails offers many benefits:
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It’s non-toxic to people, pets and other beneficial wildlife when used properly. Many chemical slug baits contain metaldehyde which is highly toxic.
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Baking soda breaks down quickly in the soil and doesn’t leave behind chemical residues.
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It’s very affordable and versatile. One box of baking soda can be used for pest control plus many other household cleaning and deodorizing jobs.
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It’s an eco-friendly method that avoids introducing more chemicals into the garden ecosystem.
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When applied correctly, baking soda doesn’t harm plants or soil structure. It can simply make the area uninhabitable for slugs and snails.
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It’s a painless death compared to drowning or chopping up slugs and snails. The baking soda gives them a quick demise.
Unlock the Power of Baking Soda for a Pest-Free Garden
If slimy slugs and snails are ruining your gardening success, grab that box of baking soda from your kitchen cupboard. Using this common cooking staple is an excellent natural solution for controlling these pesky garden pests without needing to resort to toxic chemicals. With a few simple techniques, such as creating barriers or direct contact, the baking soda dehydrates slugs and snails and deters them from invading your garden feasts. Your plants will soon be thriving in a pest-free paradise.
1 Plant marigolds – but outside of your garden.
Marigolds are commonly known as a natural pest control, however slugs and snails are attracted to them as they are dahlias, hostas and delphiniums. What this means is that, similar to planting other sacrificial plants, you can plant marigolds on the outskirts of your garden to attract these pests there. Then remove the slugs and snails accordingly.
Use coffee grounds.
You may already spread coffee grounds in your garden to add nutrients to the soil. Another benefit of surrounding your plants with coffee grounds is that they help keep slugs and snails out of your garden.
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FAQ
What kills slugs immediately?
Pouring salt on a slug will kill it in a matter of seconds, however, it generally takes quite a bit of salt to do so. The salt kills the slug through osmosis – it draws water from inside the slug and rapidly dehydrates it.
What insects does baking soda kill?
Baking soda is not a reliable method for killing most insects, though it can be used as a deterrent or to disrupt their digestive systems in some cases. It’s often suggested for ants, cockroaches, and carpet beetles, but isn’t a guaranteed solution.
Will baking soda hurt my plants?
Does baking soda kill snails & slugs?
Baking soda works similarly to salt as a deterrent when applied to snails or slugs. Both baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and salt (sodium chloride) have dehydrating properties and can cause water loss from the bodies of these pests. Snails and slugs have a slimy mucus layer on their bodies that helps them retain moisture and prevent dehydration.
Does baking soda repel slugs?
Reapply the baking soda after rain or watering to maintain its effectiveness. Certain plants are more prone to slug and snail problems and may benefit from using baking soda as a deterrent—for example, hostas, cabbage, and lilies. If you spot snails or slugs in your garden, you can directly apply baking soda to repel them.
How do you get rid of slugs?
If you can’t catch them by hand, you can use an ingredient you probably have in your pantry: baking soda. Getting rid of slugs can be unpleasant if you find them to be icky, so you may appreciate this hands-off approach! Prevention is the best way to eliminate them, and baking soda will do just that.
How do you get rid of snails & slugs?
Sprinkle a light dusting of baking soda on the pests or directly on their feeding areas. Baking soda works similarly to salt as a deterrent when applied to snails or slugs. Both baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and salt (sodium chloride) have dehydrating properties and can cause water loss from the bodies of these pests.
Can baking soda be used for pest control?
Its composition consists of a little bit of cornstarch as well as an acid mineral. However, we are only interested in discussing its uses for pest control. Baking soda insecticide can be used as a natural pest control remedy against a wide variety of pests. These include roaches, bed bugs, slugs, ants including a wide variety of undesirable bugs.
Does vinegar kill slugs?
As vinegar is mildly acidic, it will kill any snails or slugs it touches. However, vinegar is toxic to vegetation, so only spray snails or slugs that haven’t yet reached your plants. 6. Ammonia spray