Slugs are a common menace for gardeners across the UK, especially during the damp and warm summer months. These hungry creatures can quickly ruin plants, flowers, and crops, leaving gardeners annoyed and scrambling for solutions. Many people turn to chemical treatments to control slugs, but there are natural, eco-friendly alternatives that can be just as effective.
According to wildlife expert Richard Green from Kennedy Wild Bird Food & Pet Supplies, attracting the right birds to your garden is one of the best ways to get rid of slugs. “Birds can be a great way to naturally deal with slugs and protect your plants,” he shared.
“Blackbirds, thrushes, starlings, and robins are some of the birds that eat slugs, becoming a natural source of pest control while reducing the need for harmful chemicals,” the expert added.
How to attract slug-eating birds to your garden
Creating the ideal environment
To draw in these birds, much like any other type of bird, you have to provide the basics: food, water, and shelter.
Planting berry-producing shrubs such as hawthorn, ivy, and cotoneaster will encourage bird visits throughout the year, even during colder months.
Adding a birdbath or a shallow water source is also crucial for attracting birds, especially in the warmer months.
Citrus fruit trap
One of the most effective ways to get birds to do the hard work of slug removal is by setting up a citrus fruit trap, as it attracts birds while also luring in the slugs.
The specialist explained: “Birds are drawn to the fruit, and slugs are attracted to the leftover rinds. Once the slugs gather, the birds will return to eat them, creating an effective and eco-friendly way to manage pests.”
Providing shelter with nest boxes
To keep birds in your garden long-term, installing nest boxes is an excellent way to encourage birds to settle and breed in your garden.
“Different-sized entry holes attract different species, helping to boost bird diversity,” suggested Richard.
To make the nest box even more attractive, position it in a quiet, sheltered area and provide nesting materials like straw, wool, or pet hair.
Using plants and natural shelters
Native species and berry-producing shrubs are particularly valuable for attracting birds and providing them with essential food.
Richard added: “Leaving areas of the garden untidy, such as longer grass or fallen leaves, offers shelter and easy access to slugs and other pests. These spaces can also attract other slug predators that birds are safe from, like hedgehogs and frogs.”