No matter how big or small your garden is, slugs and snails are you worst enemy. These insatiable pests can consume several times their own body weight in food in one day. That means a lot of damage to your plants. Snail and slugs can seem to appear out of nowhere, especially when the weather is mild and damp. So it’s little wonder we’ve tried many different ways to control them.
50 years ago most gardeners kept a drum of salt at the ready to pour on the poor, offending creatures as they appeared and salt was sprinkled around newly planted seedlings. And traditional slug pellets, while extremely effective, can affect local wildlife who eat the poisoned slugs and snails. With a more natural focus to gardening becoming popular, more of us are turning to natural alternatives to pest repellents. Today we are going to list the 19 best natural ways to prevent snails and slugs in your garden.
If you love coffee, coffee grounds might be your best bet when it comes to protecting your plants and deterring slugs and snails. Slugs and snails, unlike us, hate coffee. And coffee grounds also add nutrients to your soil. Coffee grounds are one of the best and most recommended ways to deter slugs and snails from your garden.
Apparently, slugs love beer! And if you don’t mind killing the slugs and snails in your garden, a beer trap might be your best option. Sink a butter or yoghurt tub into the ground with the rim at soil level. Fill this with beer to create the beer trap. The slugs and snails are attracted, fall in and drown. Make sure you use a tub that is deep enough that the slugs or snails can’t crawl out again. This is obviously not a great option, however, if you have pets who may get into the tub and drink the beer before your pests!
Egg shells are a super effective option when you spread them as a barrier ring around plants. If you live near a beach, you can also use crushed up sea shells. Broken egg shells and sea shells have sharp edges that hurt snails and slugs as they try to crawl over them. The shells will eventually break down and add nutrients to your soil. However, you will need to eat a to of eggs or find a lot of sea shells to keep up the needs of your garden and pest control.
Sage plants, including baby sage, are susceptible to slater infestations Slaters, also known as pill bugs or woodlice, are small crustaceans that feed on decaying plant matter An infestation can quickly damage young sage plants. In this article, we will discuss how to identify and get rid of slaters on baby sage plants using natural, safe methods.
Identifying Slaters on Sage Plants
Slaters are usually grey or brown in color and have an oval shaped body about 1 cm long. They have seven pairs of legs and can curl up into a ball when disturbed. Signs of slaters on sage plants include:
- Presence of numerous slaters gathered at plant base or under pots/rocks
- Chewed or missing leaves and stems
- Wilting or dying sage plant
Check under leaves and at soil level around plants to spot slaters. Inspect new plants thoroughly before planting near existing sage.
Preventing Slaters on Baby Sage Plants
Prevention is the best defense against slaters Here are some tips
- Remove dead leaves, mulch, and debris regularly to eliminate slater food sources
- Allow soil to dry out between waterings to discourage moist environment slaters prefer
- Create copper or diatomaceous earth barriers around plants
- Use collars around plant stems to block access
- Introduce beneficial nematodes to the soil to prey on slaters
- Monitor watering and avoid overwatering
Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Slaters
If slaters are already present, try these safe, natural control methods:
Diatomaceous Earth: Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around sage plants. The sharp edges damage the exoskeleton of slaters. Reapply after rain or watering.
Beer Traps: Slaters are attracted to beer. Bury jars partially filled with beer near plants. Slaters will crawl in and drown.
Essential Oils: Make a spray with 2 cups water, 2 tsp liquid soap, and 10 drops of essential oils like lavender, peppermint or eucalyptus. Spray slaters directly.
Crushed Eggshells: Spread crushed eggshells around the base of plants. The sharp edges deter slaters from crawling over them.
Coffee Grounds: Used coffee grounds repel slaters. Sprinkle them around your sage plants. Reapply after rain.
Hydrogen Peroxide 3%: Spot treat slaters with hydrogen peroxide. Spray directly on slaters. It kills them on contact.
When to Use Pesticides
Avoid using pesticides on baby sage plants when possible. However, if natural remedies don’t reduce the infestation, pesticides can be used carefully as a last resort:
- Insecticidal soap – Spray plants, targeting slaters directly. Avoid flowers.
- Horticultural oil – Smothers and kills slaters. Spot treat only.
- Carbaryl – Broad spectrum pesticide. Use sparingly.
Always follow label directions exactly and keep products away from children and pets.
Prevent Reinfestation
After addressing a slater problem, continue prevention measures to avoid repeated infestations:
- Remove garden debris and rotting wood
- Allow soil to dry between waterings
- Apply new diatomaceous earth regularly
- Keep using beer traps
- Introduce predators like frogs or chickens
- Isolate and inspect new plants before planting
Baby sage plants are vulnerable to slater damage but these tips can help protect them. Focus on prevention first, then use natural remedies if infestations occur. With diligence, you can enjoy a healthy harvest of sage without harming your plants or the environment with pesticides.
10: Organic Slug Pellets
Modern slug pellets utilise iron phosphate over metaldehyde. This is an easy, off-the-shelf solution to slugs and snails. They are approved for use in organic gardening and have soil association endorsement. However, you need to use it sparingly unlike a granular fertiliser. These pellets are non-toxic to other animals, though there are some reports of dogs becoming ill after ingesting them. So best to avoid if you have outdoor pets.
12: Gravel, Bark or Wood Chips
Gravel, bark, sharp sand and wood chips create a barrier for snails and slugs. It makes it difficult for the pests to get around and slide over the irregular, sharp surfaces. Adding this to your gardens can help reduce the chance of them being eaten by slugs and snails, and these top coats also look stunning in a garden. Wood chips and bark look great in natural styled gardens, while stone and sand looks amazing in modern style gardens!
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FAQ
How do you get rid of bugs on Sage?
Do Slaters like coffee grounds?
What bug is eating my sage plant?
How do I get rid of slaters in my garden?
Plastic drinks bottles with the ends cut off are ideal, and can be easily removed later. Scatter halved citrus fruit around your veggie patches, with the fleshy side down. These will act as decoys, attracting slaters to their dark, damp, and food-filled undersides, and you can then collect and dispose of the bugs in bulk.
Do you need a slater in your garden?
Having a few slaters around will keep your plants happy and healthy. Slaters need moisture and mostly come out at night when the risk of drying out is low. You’ll find them under logs, rocks, leaf matter, compost, pot plants and amongst mulched areas of your garden.
Are Slaters destroying your garden?
They are just helping recycling nutrients in your garden. However if slaters build up into large numbers problem can develop as they start attacking healthy plants and some fruits. Tender young seedlings are particularly vulnerable with the sections close to the ground most commonly eaten.
Do Slaters eat seedlings?
Slaters will occasionally feed on young plants. Slaters are beneficial for your garden, so you don’t want to get rid of them, but you can easily distract them. Put some hollowed out orange halves or seedling punnets filled with potato peelings out in the garden for the slaters to munch on instead.