While pesticides can be effective in getting rid of slugs and snails, it can be considered a pretty cruel way to get rid of them.
If you’re looking for a more humane way to remove slugs from your plants, one Reddit user can help.
“I used coffee grounds and it worked pretty well for me,” commented a Reddit user.
“I applied and reapplied every few days or after rain. After three or four applications, the slug sightings and damage stopped.”
A Reddit contributor elaborated: “I have a toddler and a dog so I try to avoid anything that might hurt them.”
However, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is less convinced of the effectiveness of coffee grounds.
“The evidence for the ability of coffee grounds to repel ants and snails is poor,” the RHS said. “The same applies to myths about eggshells, grits, pumice and many other products.”
Another Reddit contributor stated, “I sprinkle snail pellets around my plants. It works perfectly.”
Someone else posted: “Ash works really well for me. However, I have naturally very acidic soil and I apply a lot of it directly to the soil.”
What does the RHS propose?
Entomologist and lead researcher Hayley Jones – on behalf of the RHS – advised against using snail pellets. Jones explained: “Snail pellets (even organic pellets) have been shown to negatively impact garden wildlife.
“It is much better to encourage natural predators and use cultural and biological control methods.” Natural predators to encourage in the garden include birds, frogs, toads, hedgehogs, slow worms and beetles.
The RHS recommended: “Plant sturdy plants grown in pots rather than tender young seedlings. Some protection can be given to transplants with vines.”
Woody plants are also less palatable to slugs or those with thick or waxy leaves.
