Slugs are one of the most frustrating pests any gardener comes up against, as they can munch on precious plants, demolish seedlings overnight and cause unsightly damage.
Slippery bugs are common in UK gardens, as they love damp, mild climate. And while some species might be helpful in terms of feeding off decomposing organic matter, such as dead leaves, others tend to munch on the beautiful blooms gardeners spend so long keeping alive.
But luckily, there are several ways of keeping the slimy creatures out of your outdoor space, if you just know how. TikTok content creators @bilgemehmet23 often share gardening tricks and tips on their channel, and recently let followers into a tried-and-tested method to banishing slugs from their garden.
In the video, keen gardener Sam explained that people always ask him what he does to keep slugs from wreaking havoc in his outdoor space. But he's found a two-item method which works wonders.
He then demonstrated he cuts the bottom out of a plastic plant pot, so the roots can enjoy the Earth. Alongside the edge of the plant pot he rubs petroleum jelly, or Vaseline, and then sprinkles salt all along it.
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According to Sam, he puts "the cheapest salt you can get around the edges". His wife, Billie, added: "This actually works, guys. If we don't put it on there, by the morning, we've got a slug problem again. They just don't go near it."
Sam could then be seen burying the pot, with the edges sticking up so the slugs stay away from the plant. He added: "So this will protect my plant, and I'll be able to water it individually as well. People laugh at me, but really, I've had a slug problem before so I just thought, let's just try it. And it's worked for us."
Dr Gordon Port, senior lecturer at Newcastle University explained to BBC Science Focus the salt kills the slugs because it "essentially draws the water out of their skin – an osmosis effect – and they die within minutes of dehydration".
It's important to remember that salt can damage plants and affect soil balance, so you shouldn't spread it directly in the soil.
You can pick up table salt from your local supermarket, or if you prefer to shop online Amazon is currently selling a 750g pack of Saxa Table Salt for just £1.70. Equally, you could pick up Vaseline with your weekly shop, or get a 250g tub of Nuage Everyday Essential Petroleum Jelly for £3.45 on Amazon. That means it won't cost you more than £5.15, and should last you a long time.
Some studies have shown that slugs and snails can feel pain, so you might want to consider other methods to get rid of them. For example, slugs are said to avoid strong-smelling areas. So some garden enthusiasts recommend creating a 'garlic wash' by boiling two full garlic bulbs with two litres of water, and spraying it onto affected areas.
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