Slugs are a notorious enemy of gardeners up and down the country
Slugs are a menace, especially around this time of year(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
For those frustrated with slugs turning their gardens into a slimy buffet, there are some surprisingly simple solutions to help protect your green space as we head into summer and the inevitable British rain. Each garden on average is home to more than 20,000 slugs at any given time, but only 5% of that number show themselves above ground at any given point.
That small number is enough to ravage any good garden, especially if you’re fortunate enough to have a vegetable patch or even some fruit trees. But it is actually one specific fruit that can help ward off the critters, and help you avoid using harmful pesticides.
Alys Fowler, the once-resident gardening expert at The Guardian, shares an excellent tip for outsmarting slugs using nothing more than leftover grapefruit shells. “I find that empty grapefruit halves are great for catching slugs. Leave them on the ground, rind-side up, for a day or two. Once they are filled up, you can dispose of the slugs and throw the rind in the bin,” she advises.
It’s truly a win-win situation, with nothing to lose except the slugs. Simply attract them away from your cherished plants, scoop them up, and dispose of them properly in garden waste or even compost heaps.
This method works so well because slugs are attracted to the juicy skin of the grapefruit, which offers them a food source. They also enjoy the sheltered, moist environment that the rind creates, and so they’ll happily stay there and leave the rest of your cherished plants alone.
So, how do you set up your trap? After enjoying your grapefruit for breakfast, place the hollowed-out skins in your flowerbeds, making sure the juicy side is touching the ground.
As evening falls, slugs will be drawn to the sweet-smelling rinds and make their home amongst them. When daylight arrives, a quick check will reveal a gathering of unwanted guests ready for eviction.
At this point, you can pick them up and place them in a bin or a bucket of soapy water to dispose of them. This eco-friendly tactic is a winner for its effectiveness and sustainability.
By repurposing kitchen scraps, you can protect your plants without turning to harmful pesticides. These chemicals can also harm other wildlife including dogs, so if you have pets, this is the best way to deal with the issue.
Your pets, bees, and other critters will stay safe, and you can compost like a pro. Just remember, while you shouldn’t overload your compost heap with citrus, tossing in the occasional grapefruit shell won’t hurt.
Whether you’re growing herbs, vegetables, or decorative plants, this tip is a must-try for any environmentally conscious gardener. So the next time you enjoy a grapefruit, don’t throw away the peel—transform it into a slug trap and reclaim your garden.
If you don’t have grapefruit at home, don’t worry, you can easily find this bitter fruit at most supermarkets, and it is relatively inexpensive—red grapefruit, for example, can be purchased at Sainsbury’s for just 49p. The hack, reported by The Express, isn’t just effective, it’s cheap.
If slugs continue to be a problem in your garden, another effective solution is to create a beer trap. This is another simple natural remedy that won’t harm your garden.
To set up a beer trap, fill an empty container with beer and place it near your garden bed. The yeast in the beer attracts slugs, causing them to fall in and drown.
You can use an old food storage box, or even purpose-made traps, to ensure there’s only one entry for the slugs, and to stop birds or other critters trying to have a pint in your garden pub.