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How To Get Rid Of Black Slugs: 10 Natural Ways To Repel And Control These Pests

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Getting rid of black slugs can be tricky. These slimy creatures are abundantly found in nature, and no matter how many times you displace them manually, they always seem to find their way back into your garden. Therefore, in this article, I will tell you about ten natural ways to repel, control, and get rid of black slugs in your garden!

What is the black slug, a.k.a. European black slug, a.k.a. black arion?

How to Get Rid of Black Slugs: 10 [Natural] Ways to Repel and Control These Pests

The black slug, also known as the European black slug or the black arion, is a large terrestrial gastropod mollusk in the family Arionidae.

This species is native to Europe but has been introduced to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia. They are considered pests because they feed on a variety of plants and can cause significant damage.

Slugs are soft-bodied, slimy creatures that can often be found in gardens and yards. They play an important role in the environment by decomposing dead plants and animals, but they can also be pests as they feed on living plants.

This pest can cause serious damage to gardens and crops as it consumes large quantities of food.

What is the black slug’s life cycle?

The black slug has a life cycle that goes through four stages: adult, eggs, juvenile, and adult. Adult slugs will overwinter either as adults or eggs. They will hibernate in the soil, under plant debris, or in mulch.

When the conditions are right in the spring, adults will emerge to start feeding and mating. The dormant eggs will begin to hatch, and the juveniles will grow into adults. Adult slugs lay their eggs in moist areas like under rocks, in compost, mulch, or soil.

These slugs lay eggs in the soil, and the eggs take about two weeks to hatch. The young slugs feed on plant roots, and the adults can lay eggs throughout the growing season, so multiple generations overlap.

Where do slugs come into your garden from?

A closeup shot of a european black slug, focusing on its head features.

Slugs come into your garden from dark, moist areas during the day. They are often drawn to gardens by the moisture and the darkness. You can help to reduce the number of slugs in your garden by making sure that you eliminate these conditions.

Though they are often out of sight, slugs come into your garden from a variety of places. They can migrate from other gardens or yards or even hitch a ride on plants and trees. You can also inadvertently bring them in on tools, pots, and other gardening supplies.

Slugs generally come out at night to feed on a variety of things in your garden. They can travel up to 1,000 feet from their original home in search of food, water, and shelter.

Therefore, they often go unnoticed because they come out at night and hide during the day, so many people are confused when they see plant damage that seems to have appeared overnight.

What do slugs eat in their diet?

Slugs are a generic garden pest that can cause a lot of damage to plants. They eat a variety of plants in their diet, but they prefer shady, moist areas where they can find plenty of food.

Slugs will eat anything, but they have certain favorite types of plants. Some of the plants that slugs like to eat are hostas, beans, squash, cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, and seedlings.

How to get rid of black slugs in your garden using natural slug control methods?

There are a variety of ways to get rid of black slugs in your garden using natural slug control methods.

The most important part is to be consistent with the treatment and to keep at it until the slugs are gone. You may need to try more than one method to find the right solution for you.

You can manually pick up black slugs in your garden to get rid of them.

One way to get rid of black slugs is by picking them up manually. This can be a tedious process, but it can be effective if done regularly. You can also use traps or barriers to keep them from entering your garden in the first place.

That said, if you are willing to take a little bit of time out every day, you can manually pick up black slugs in your garden and dispose of them. Since they are slow-moving and easy to grab, it’s not difficult to get rid of them this way.

After you’ve picked up the black slugs, you can drop black slugs into a bucket of soapy water to kill them. Ideally, you should simply leave them in a bucket of water over the night. Another way is to pick them up manually and dispose of them in the weeds or trash.

Beer traps to bait black slugs

There are many ways to get rid of black slugs, but one of the most popular methods is using beer traps. As long as the beer is cheap and fresh, it will work well for attracting these pests. To make a beer trap, you will need:

– A shallow disposable container (like a margarine tub)

– Sink it into the ground, so the rim is at soil level

– Fill with fresh beer before sunset

– Dump the contents of the trap into the compost bin – beer and all

If you’re using a reusable trap, just rinse it off and put some beer in it to bait the slugs. When you feel that the trap is full, dispose of it in the trash. If you’re using disposable traps, just throw them away when they’re full.

Alcohol (beer) free DIY slug traps

You can make beer-free DIY slug traps to get rid of black slugs too. All you need to do is lay down some wet cardboard or wood in an area that has slug problems. You can also get some large rocks or bricks and place them under susceptible plants.

Since they love old or rotting fruits and veggies, you can use some as bait for catching slugs and place them under a tent made out of cardboard or other material. Place the container near the area where you want to trap slugs.

Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the plants that have the highest black slug infestations.

One of the most popular ways to get rid of black slugs is by sprinkling diatomaceous earth around the plants that they love to infest.

Diatomaceous earth is a natural, powdery substance that will kill slugs when they walk across it. It can also kill other bugs that cross its path. However, you must reapply after it rains in order for it to be effective.

Sprinkle table salt on black slugs to dehydrate and kill them.

Slug on dirt and stone road wet after rain.

One way to get rid of black slugs is to sprinkle table salt on them. The salt will dehydrate and kill the slug. However, you need to be careful using this method, as too much salt can be harmful to your plants or ruin the soil. Use this method sparingly.

You can create a barrier made of copper around your plants to protect them from black slugs.

A great way to protect your garden from black slugs is to create a barrier made of copper around your plants. Copper mesh or copper slug repellent tape are both suitable options for creating this barrier.

Sprinkle coffee grounds around the plants that are infested by black slugs.

You can get rid of black slugs by sprinkling coffee grounds around the plants that are infested. The coffee grounds will repel the slugs and control their population.

The main reason for this is that black slugs, and slugs in general, find caffeine to be toxic. Therefore, they avoid coming in contact with coffee!

Plant plants that are naturally resistant to black slugs in your garden.

One way to protect your garden from black slugs is to plant resistant plants. There are a number of plants that have natural defenses against these pests, including:

– Lavender

– Rosemary

– Thyme

– Geraniums

– Chrysanthemums

To keep black slugs from destroying your garden, make sure you also plant companion plants that are naturally resistant to these pests. These plants not only deter slugs but also add beauty and fragrance to your garden.

Use organic slug pellets to kill or get rid of black slugs.

Slug pellets work by killing the slugs and then breaking them down into natural elements that are harmless to plants and animals. This is an effective way to get rid of black slugs without using harsh chemicals or pesticides.

Drown black slugs in water.

Yes, that’s right. Black slugs can drown in water or a beer trap. This is an easy and effective way to get rid of them. Therefore, make sure you place these creatures in a bucket of water till they drown and simply dispose of them in the trash after they’ve died.

What kind of damage can slugs cause to your garden and plants?

Slugs can cause a lot of damage to your garden and plants. They eat mature plants all the way down to the nubs, so they can completely destroy your garden. Additionally, slugs also carry diseases that can infect your plants.

Not only do they consume the leaves of plants, but they can also eat fruits and vegetables that are still on the plant. This can be especially damaging to crops that are being grown for sale.

They even eat small plants and seedlings down to just a stem, making it difficult for them to recover. Slug damage can also make your garden susceptible to other pests and diseases.

What are the natural predators of garden slugs?

Natural slug predators include hedgehogs, birds, beetles, frogs, and toads, who enjoy munching on these pests as a nice treat.

Can you use slug bait and nematodes to get rid of black slugs?

Black slug

Yes, you can use slug bait and nematodes to get rid of or even kill black slugs. Slug bait is as easily accessible as beer. Beer is a fantastic bait for these creatures.

As far as nematodes are concerned, there are some people that say that some slugs are entirely insensitive to nematodes.

But, the majority of experience and research tells us that nematodes can be a great organic way to ensure that your garden and your crops stay free of black slugs.

Conclusion

And now you have ten natural ways to get rid of slugs and control or even repel their population in your garden. Now, if the slug population is too big, you might want to consider calling a professional to get rid of them. If you’re taking matters into your own hands, literally, make sure you’re always wearing disposable latex gloves!

About the author

A biotechnologist by profession and a passionate pest researcher. I have been one of those people who used to run away from cockroaches and rats due to their pesky features, but then we all get that turn in life when we have to face something.