Slugs become increasingly active during summer months, especially during nighttime hours, as they thrive in cool, moist environments. This means evening watering sessions could inadvertently be drawing these creatures to your garden.
While not technically classified as pests, slugs can devastate numerous crops, making it understandable why many gardeners seek to repel them. Fortunately, there’s a straightforward method to safeguard your garden for just 40p. The technique involves using garlic cloves that have been steeped in hot water before being transferred to a spray bottle.
This produces a potent natural deterrent that these unwanted visitors will steer clear of, whilst ensuring no harm comes to local wildlife.
You’ll simply require one garlic bulb from your local supermarket, typically priced at approximately 39p each.
After obtaining your cloves, remove the skin from two to three pieces and submerge them in hot water for 24 hours.
Following this period, filter the garlic-infused water into an empty spray container.
Ensure you fill the remainder of the bottle with water to create a diluted solution.
Apply this homemade repellent to your plants weekly or following rainfall.
According to Gardeners World, this “effective” treatment will only prove successful when applied consistently.
Alternative slug deterrent methods include cultivating specific vegetables throughout your garden, particularly close to plants they typically target.
Onions and leeks are renowned for their sharp fragrance, while fennel similarly tends to ward them off.
Growing aromatic herbs like mint and rosemary alongside vegetables will discourage slugs from venturing near, owing to their powerful scents. However, it’s marigolds that usually prove most effective when companion planting due to their strong, musky scent.