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.
Australian tree ferns are prized for their graceful, lush green fronds and tropical vibe. But these stunning plants can fall victim to pest infestations that damage their health and beauty. Slugs, in particular, love munching on the tender fronds and stems of tree ferns. If left unchecked, they can quickly get out of control and cause extensive harm.
In this guide, you’ll learn all about controlling slugs on your Australian tree fern. With a proactive approach, you can banish the slugs and maintain a gorgeous, thriving tree fern that enhances your garden Let’s get started!
Understanding Slugs on Tree Ferns
To deal with slugs effectively, it’s important to understand what attracts them to Australian tree ferns in the first place.
Slugs are slimy, soft-bodied creatures without shells. They thrive in moist, shady environments with lots of places to hide. Australian tree ferns fit the bill perfectly with their dense fronds and constant moisture requirements.
These pests do the most damage at night leaving behind telltale slime trails and holes in fronds. If uncontrolled, they can defoliate entire plants shockingly fast. An infestation also leaves your tree fern vulnerable to fungus and other diseases.
So taking swift action to control slugs is critical to protect your investment and the health of your tree fern.
Effective Methods to Eliminate Slugs
Fortunately, there are several highly effective methods to tackle slugs on your Australian tree fern. Consistency and diligence are key to successful slug removal.
Manual Removal
Hand picking slugs is an organic, eco-friendly option. Check plants after dark or early morning when slugs are active. Dispose of them in soapy water. Be sure to revisit regularly to catch new slugs.
Traps
Traps lure in slugs where they drown. Bury beer-filled containers near plants. Or set halved grapefruit skins, melon rinds, and wooden boards around the garden to trap slugs seeking shelter.
Copper Barrier
Slugs hate copper and will avoid crossing it. Wrap copper tape around pot rims or garden bed edges to block access Be sure to maintain the barrier
Diatomaceous Earth
This abrasive, natural powder deters slugs when sprinkled around plants. It scratches their soft bodies, causing dehydration. Reapply after rain or watering.
Slug Bait
Scatter commercial or organic slug bait nearby, but avoid direct contact with your tree fern. Iron phosphate baits are safest for pets. Follow label instructions. Replenish bait as needed.
Natural Predators
Attract slug predators like birds, frogs, fireflies, and ground beetles to your garden. They will feast on slugs and keep populations down naturally.
Repellent Sprays
Homemade or commercial slug repellent sprays using ingredients like garlic, chili pepper, and mineral oil can deter slugs from your plants when applied correctly.
Preventative Measures
Prevention is also key to reducing future issues with slugs on your Australian tree fern. Here are some tips:
- Eliminate hiding spots by keeping the surrounding area clear of debris
- Avoid overwatering and promote drainage
- Prune plants to improve air circulation
- Check new plants thoroughly for egg clusters before bringing home
- Add sand or eggshell barriers to deter slugs
- Encourage natural predators to frequent your garden
- Maintain copper tape or other barriers
- Inspect plants daily for early signs of slug damage
When to Call in a Professional
In severe infestations, it may be necessary to enlist professional help. Arborists and landscapers can assess the extent of the damage and develop a tailored pest management plan incorporating multiple control methods.
Professionals also have access to more potent chemical control options if an infestation is significantly impacting plant health. Calling in an expert can help get a slug problem under control when home remedies have failed.
Diagnosing Other Potential Causes of Damage
It’s important to properly diagnose the cause of any damage to your Australian tree fern. While slugs are a prime suspect, other potential causes include:
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Caterpillars – Chewing damage and visible caterpillars. Pick off by hand or use Bacillus thuringiensis.
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Scale – Small bumps on fronds sucking sap. Wipe leaves with alcohol or horticultural oil.
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Fungal disease – Circular spots or rot on fronds. Improve air flow and prune affected fronds.
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Pet damage – Chewing damage at edges within reach. Fence off ferns or keep pets away.
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Sunburn – Yellowed or dried leaf edges. Move fern to filtered sunlight.
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Underwatering – Dry, shriveled fronds. Increase watering frequency.
By identifying the precise cause, you can tailor your treatment approach for the best results.
When to Repot Your Tree Fern
Slug damage often indicates a rootbound tree fern. Repotting into fresh soil provides an opportunity to inspect roots for slug eggs while encouraging new growth.
Look for circling roots protruding from drainage holes or slow growth. Spring is ideal repotting time. Select a pot 2 inches larger and replant at the same depth, watering well.
Ongoing Slug Prevention
Vigilance is vital in protecting Australian tree ferns from slug devastation. Consistently practice prevention techniques, monitor plants closely, and take prompt action at the first sign of damage.
With persistence and repeated removal methods, you can eliminate slugs from your garden. Your diligence will pay off with vibrant, flourishing Australian tree ferns that enhance your garden for years to come.
9: Wheat Bran/Corn Bran
Small piles and rings of wheat or corn bran can be sprinkled around plants. When slugs and snails eat the bran it causes desiccation and death. This is a totally organic option and safe if wildlife eat the dead pest, they get a little extra nutrition. However you will need to replenish it regularly after rainy weather.
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.
I don’t have any more slugs. 3 simple proven ways to get rid of slugs without chemicals
FAQ
What can I spray on my plants to keep slugs away?
How do I permanently get rid of slugs?
Do slugs kill ferns?
How do you keep slugs away from plants?
Use crushed eggshells, nutshells, sharp sand, grit, pine needles or thorny cuttings to create protective barriers. Use them to make a circle around a plant that has been affected by munching. Slugs find the gritty edges uncomfortable against their soft flesh. You can use straw as a barrier for slugs in a garden 4.
Do slugs eat ferns?
When all else fails, plant a garden that is decidedly not slug-friendly, or at least do so in areas where slugs are persistent. Slugs don’t like highly scented things, so go with lavender, rosemary, begonias, and sage. Other slug repellers include ferns, cyclamen, hydrangea, California poppy, nasturtium, and lantana.
How do you get rid of slugs & snails in a garden?
Beer traps are popular; they attract slugs and snails to beer placed in shallow containers, where the pests then drown. Alternatively, you can create hiding places with overturned pots or boards. Slugs and snails will congregate under these, allowing you to easily collect and remove them from the garden.
Do slugs & snails damage plants?
Slugs and snails can be frustrating problems for gardeners, causing unsightly damage to a wide range of plants. If you’ve noticed holes in your plants and slimy trails in your garden, you might have a slug or snail problem. These common garden pests can cause significant damage to a wide variety of plants.