How to Prevent Slugs in Radishes

Slugs are closely related to shellfish.

Slugs often come out at night to invade gardens, and they emerge once the soil temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Slugs attack the leafy green portion of radishes and destroy them. The pests can cause diseases in your garden, and they will continue to feast on the crops until you remove them. Prevent the slugs from invading the radishes by denying access to the food. Slugs may need to be controlled by killing or trapping them if they creep past the barriers.

Things You'll Need

• Crushed eggshells or ground coffee
• Companion plants
• Diatomaceous earth
• Copper tape
• Flashlight
• Tongs
• Bucket
• Soapy water
• Beer
• Small, shallow bowls

Instructions

1. Remove locations in the garden where slugs can hide during the day. Debris, stones, weeds, bricks and flowerpots are all locations where the slugs may seek shade.

2. Cultivate the soil in the spring to expose the slug eggs to dry them out completely. Allow the soil to dry as much as possible to remove moisture from the garden.

3. Spread crushed eggshells or ground coffee around the radishes. Slugs will not crawl on the rough surface.

4. Grow ginger, mint, chives, sage or fennel in the garden around the radishes. These plants will repel slugs and keep them out of the garden. Plant them along the perimeter to keep the slugs out of the garden completely.

5. Spread diatomaceous earth around the radishes. When the slugs crawl over the fine powder, it will cut them and cause the pests to dehydrate.

6. Place a 2-inch-wide perimeter of copper tape around the garden bed. The copper tape causes a toxic reaction to the slugs and it will keep them away from the garden.

7. Locate the slugs at night with a flashlight. Pick slugs off radishes with tongs if you prefer not to touch them. Place the slugs in a bucket of soapy water.

8. Pour fresh beer into small, shallow bowls. Bury the bowls into the ground so that only 1/4 inch of the top remains above the soil. The slugs will crawl into the beer and drown. Change the beer daily because they are only attracted to fresh beer.

Tips & Warnings

• Water the radishes in the late afternoon to attract the snails at night if you wish to handpick them from the garden.

• Avoid using salt to create a barrier around the radishes because the salt can damage the soil.

References

• University of Rhode Island; Companion Planting; Robert Beyfuss, et al.
• University of Illinois Extension; Slugs; Raymond Cloyd; July 2000
• University of California; Snails and Slugs Management Guidelines; M. L. Flint, et al.; November 2009
• North Dakota State University; Questions on Slugs; Ron Smith
• University of Kentucky; Slugs; Ric Bessin; January 2004
• Washington State University; Slugs; January 2000