It’s one thing to try to control slugs in the garden, but how do we get rid of slugs and snails inside the house?
And how can we prevent them from entering the house? You can tell when a slug or snail has been inside your home if you find its wet, slimy tracks on your floors or surfaces. Slugs do not have bones, so they can slide through very small holes.
We asked Hayley Jones, RHS entomologist , to share her tips on how to prevent slugs and snails from entering the house and her natural pest control methods.
WHAT SLUGS ENTER THE HOUSE?
“The slug you usually see indoors is the yellow cellar slug ‘Limacus flavus’, which is a medium-sized (up to 13cm long 5 inches), thin slug with pale spots on a yellow, green or tan body,” says Hayley. .
WHY DO SLUGS ENTER THE HOUSE? WHAT ATTRACTS them?
Slugs usually enter the house in search of warmth, food or shade. Knowing what attracts them will help us keep them at bay.
“The yellow basement slug feeds primarily on mold and algae, but can also be found eating scraps, pet food, and compost ,” says Hayley.
“It is attracted to dark, damp shelters, such as vents and drains. It is strictly nocturnal, so we only see the mucous trails inside the house, since the slug has already retired in the morning.”
HOW TO GET RID OF SLUGS IN THE HOUSE.
If you find a slimy slug or snail trail, use a flashlight to highlight the path and follow it to the entry point of the house.
- For exterior doors, block gaps with weather stripping .
- For larger gaps and cracks, seal with a more permanent filler such as caulk.
Hayley points out that “stopping slugs from getting in can be a bit tricky. The most obvious solution is to block their route, but if it’s a vent or something, that may not be possible.”
HOW TO ELIMINATE SLUGS AND SNAILS IN THE HOUSE.
Copper tape. Copper tape is a well-known way to protect plants and pots from slugs and snails in the garden, but it can also be used indoors. The texture of the tape creates a small charge when the slugs touch it. It doesn’t hurt them but it does deter them.
Salt. If you have seen a trail of slugs in your kitchen or bathroom, trace back to the entry point and fill it with salt to discourage slugs from re-entering through the hole. “Salt can be a very good barrier,” says Hayley. “But this will only be worth it if you can create the barrier somewhere dry, otherwise it will wash away quickly.”
Slug predators in the garden. “Think about how to make your garden attractive to the natural predators of slugs and snails,” explains Hayley. “Provide food and water for birds and open a small gate in your fence so hedgehogs can enter.
A pond is a great wildlife-friendly addition to the garden and will attract frogs and toads to keep slugs at bay.” Place bird houses to attract them to your garden .
Ducks are also predators of slugs, although they will also eat lettuce seedlings, so keep them protected until the plants have matured.
Slug trap. Slug traps attract the animal using beer or a sugary liquid. Once inside, it is difficult for them to get out.
You can also make your own beer trap by filling a container with some beer and leaving it near a problem area. You can’t guarantee that slugs will survive if you use a homemade trap.
Wool balls. Wool pellets deter slugs with their texture. They can also be used to block entry points into the house. Wool is a natural material, so it is not harmful and decomposes naturally.
Natural barriers. Create a natural barrier using eggshells or garden cuttings. They don’t like the sensation on their body, so they will avoid walking over them.
Plant slug repellent plants. Astrantia gives off an aroma that repels slugs and snails, which is why it acts as a natural pesticide. Wormwood, rue, fennel, anise and rosemary have the same effect.
Place bird feeders. Inviting slug-eating birds into your garden is an excellent natural repellent.
It will improve the biodiversity of your garden and reduce the likelihood of slugs entering your home. Here we tell you how to make a bird feeder .
Reseal windows and doors. Check the windows and doors in your home and reseal any areas that may have become loose. Seal these spaces to prevent slugs from entering.
