No matter how big or small your garden is, slugs and snails are you worst enemy. These insatiable pests can consume several times their own body weight in food in one day. That means a lot of damage to your plants. Snail and slugs can seem to appear out of nowhere, especially when the weather is mild and damp. So it’s little wonder we’ve tried many different ways to control them.
50 years ago most gardeners kept a drum of salt at the ready to pour on the poor, offending creatures as they appeared and salt was sprinkled around newly planted seedlings. And traditional slug pellets, while extremely effective, can affect local wildlife who eat the poisoned slugs and snails. With a more natural focus to gardening becoming popular, more of us are turning to natural alternatives to pest repellents. Today we are going to list the 19 best natural ways to prevent snails and slugs in your garden.
If you love coffee, coffee grounds might be your best bet when it comes to protecting your plants and deterring slugs and snails. Slugs and snails, unlike us, hate coffee. And coffee grounds also add nutrients to your soil. Coffee grounds are one of the best and most recommended ways to deter slugs and snails from your garden.
Apparently, slugs love beer! And if you don’t mind killing the slugs and snails in your garden, a beer trap might be your best option. Sink a butter or yoghurt tub into the ground with the rim at soil level. Fill this with beer to create the beer trap. The slugs and snails are attracted, fall in and drown. Make sure you use a tub that is deep enough that the slugs or snails can’t crawl out again. This is obviously not a great option, however, if you have pets who may get into the tub and drink the beer before your pests!
Egg shells are a super effective option when you spread them as a barrier ring around plants. If you live near a beach, you can also use crushed up sea shells. Broken egg shells and sea shells have sharp edges that hurt snails and slugs as they try to crawl over them. The shells will eventually break down and add nutrients to your soil. However, you will need to eat a to of eggs or find a lot of sea shells to keep up the needs of your garden and pest control.
African marigold flowers are known for their vibrant, colorful blooms that can brighten up any garden. However, these beautiful flowers sometimes fall victim to slater infestations. Slaters, also called pill bugs or woodlice, are small crustaceans that feed on decaying plant matter and can cause significant damage to marigold plants. If you notice signs of slaters on your African marigolds, there are several effective methods to get rid of these pesky garden pests.
Identifying a Slater Infestation
The first step is learning how to identify whether your marigolds have been invaded by slaters Watch out for these common signs
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Irregular holes or jagged edges on leaves caused by slaters chewing on plant material,
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Visible slaters crawling on plants or hiding under leaves and around stems, especially at night when they are most active
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Wilting, damaged, or prematurely dying flowers due to slaters feeding on blooms.
Carefully inspect the leaves, stems, and flowers of your marigolds to confirm slaters are indeed the culprits. Catching the infestation early allows for quicker and more effective treatment.
Removing Slaters with Natural Remedies
Many gardeners prefer to use natural methods to get rid of slaters and other pests in an eco-friendly way. Here are some of the most effective natural slater remedies for marigolds:
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Diatomaceous earth – This powdery substance made from fossilized algae has sharp edges that cut into soft-bodied insects like slaters. Sprinkle a thin layer around marigolds to create a lethal barrier.
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Neem oil – Extracted from the neem tree, this natural pesticide coats plants to deter slaters from crawling onto them. Mix with water and spray marigolds regularly.
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Beer traps – Slaters are attracted to the yeasty smell of beer. Bury small containers filled with beer near plants and the slaters will crawl in and drown.
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Crushed eggshells – Sharp edges of eggshells are uncomfortable for slaters to crawl over. Spread crushed eggshells around your marigolds.
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Copper tape – Slater don’t like crossing over this conductive tape. Wrap it around marigold stems and garden bed edges.
Always follow instructions carefully when applying natural remedies to avoid inadvertently harming beneficial insects or your plants.
Using Chemical Slater Treatments
For serious slater infestations not resolved by natural methods, chemical pesticides may be warranted. Take necessary safety precautions and adhere to the manufacturer’s directions when using chemicals. Two options include:
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Insecticidal soap – Made from potassium salt of fatty acids, insecticidal soap disrupts cell membranes and kills slaters on contact when sprayed directly. It’s less toxic than other pesticides.
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Pyrethrin insecticides – Derived from chrysanthemum flowers, these broad-spectrum insect killers are effective on slaters. However, they also kill beneficial insects, so use judiciously.
Only use chemical treatments if absolutely needed, as they can be harmful to you, pets, wildlife, beneficial garden bugs, and the overall ecosystem. Always explore natural options first.
Preventing Future Infestations
Once you’ve eliminated slaters from your marigolds, take these proactive steps to prevent future infestations:
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Remove plant debris and fallen leaves where slaters like to hide. Keep the garden clean.
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Improve drainage around plants so moisture doesn’t accumulate, which attracts slaters.
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Avoid thick, wet organic mulches near plant bases that create an ideal slater environment.
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Allow space between marigolds for air circulation and to prevent overcrowding.
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Use barriers like diatomaceous earth routinely to deter slaters.
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Interplant with pest-repellent plants like basil, garlic, and mint.
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Rotate marigold planting locations each year to disrupt slater cycles.
With diligence and persistence, you can defend your African marigolds against destructive slaters. Implement preventative measures and be prepared to take action at the first signs of infestation. A healthy garden starts with keeping pests like slaters under control so your plants can thrive.
4: Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Diatomaceous earth is an incredibly popular pest deterrent around the world. DE is finely ground fossil remain of freshwater prehistoric diatoms. Diatoms are microscopic green algae with a silica-based shell. It is used in various grades to kill bedbugs, cockroaches and even internal parasites in food grade DE. Like egg and seashells, diatomaceous earth has sharp edges. For slugs and snails it is like trying to walk barefoot over glass. However, you will need to reapply this soil topping frequently as it becomes useless after the rain.
Slugs and snails can’t cross copper. This is why some people use copper tape as a barrier in their garden, arrange it in a ring around individual plants or in a ring around your pot plants, just below the rim. You can also get copper impregnated mats too, to stand pots on. However, if plants grow leaves over the barrier or touch another plant, snails can use these as a bridge.
9: Wheat Bran/Corn Bran
Small piles and rings of wheat or corn bran can be sprinkled around plants. When slugs and snails eat the bran it causes desiccation and death. This is a totally organic option and safe if wildlife eat the dead pest, they get a little extra nutrition. However you will need to replenish it regularly after rainy weather.
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FAQ
How can I get rid of Slaters?
What is the pest in the African marigolds?
How do I keep bugs from eating my marigolds?
How do you stop slugs from eating marigolds?
How do you care for African marigolds?
Overwatering or Poor Drainage: African Marigolds prefer well-draining soil, and overwatering can lead to root rot or other fungal diseases. Ensure the soil is well-drained and water the plants deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid overhead watering to minimize moisture on the leaves.
Do African marigolds rot?
Your plant will look sickly, but don’t worry just yet – marigolds are pretty hardy. Generally root rot is a sign that you’ve overwatered your marigolds, or that they are planted in the wrong soil. Remove your African marigold from its environment, and remove any dead or dying plant parts with a sterile pair of shears or garden scissors.
How do you get rid of nematodes on African marigolds?
Marigolds produce a chemical that repels nematodes. Slugs and Snails: Slugs and snails can feed on African Marigold foliage, causing irregular holes in the leaves. Use organic methods like handpicking, traps, or applying diatomaceous earth or crushed eggshells around the plants to create barriers and deter these pests.
How do you harvest African marigold seeds?
One of the great things about African Marigolds is that you can harvest their seeds to plant next year. To harvest African Marigold (Tagetes erecta) seeds, follow these steps: Allow the flowers to fully mature: Leave the African Marigold flower heads on the plant until they have completely dried out and turned brown.