How to Kill Garden Slugs Without Poison

Don't let slugs take over your garden.

The lowly slug can wreak havoc in a garden. Its voracious appetite for garden vegetables and certain plants can turn your beautiful yard into a ragged mess. Garden store shelves are filled with slug-killing chemicals. If you're against fighting slugs with toxic poisons, get out the salt and a few other less dangerous substances.

Things You'll Need

• Salt or fertilizer
• Beer
• Shallow pan

Instructions

1. Sprinkle salt or fertilizer on the slugs. The substances will basically dissolve the creatures. Because salt can damage some plants, fertilizer may be a safer choice.

2. Set out a shallow pan of beer. A jar lid or pie pan full of beer will attract slugs, which will crawl in and drown. Keep the pan away from areas frequented by pets.

3. Put out a watermelon rind or other decaying fruit to attract slugs. The slugs will head for the treat en masse, after which you can pour salt or fertilizer over them to kill them.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact an exterminator if your slug infestation is severe.

References

• University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: Snails and Slugs
• HGTV: Slug Control