Slugs can destroy gardens if you do not have repellants set up near your plants (Image: Getty)
Nothing is worse than going out to water your plants only to see chunks out of the leaves, and the main culprit tends to be hungry slugs.
can be a problem in February as the wet weather is ideal for them to thrive, and their breeding season tends to be early so are more likely to be overrun with these .
However, has shared on that a very simple yet effective method to keep slugs away is to set up barriers near the .
He said: “Some gardeners swear by rough barriers that slugs and snails don’t like to cross. You can buy ready-to-use products, such as recycled, ceramic shards that are can be scattered around vulnerable plants.”
He added: “You can try more traditional home-made remedies, such as baked, crushed egg shells, grit, ash or soot which are variable in their effectiveness.”
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Eggshells are a simple and natural way to stop slugs eating plants (Image: Getty)
Slugs are less likely to cross soil that has sharp material on them as the ragged edges are uncomfortable for them to crawl on and can risk punctuating their skin.
Crushed-up eggshells are a very popular method for keeping slugs away but it is important to clear the shells thoroughly of any yolk, otherwise the food will attract pests rather than discourage them.
Eggshells also release calcium into the soil as they decompose which can feed plants and give them a boost if needed. Grit, ash and soot also absorb moisture which can greatly dehydrate slugs if they come into contact with them.
However, soot, ash and grit can be messy to deal with and are acidic so can alter the pH of your soil and harm your plants if used in large quantities.
If you are using natural remedies to keep slugs away it is best to use lots of different materials to act as a barrier to see what works best in your garden.
Copper tape costs money but is a great long-term solution to keep slugs away (Image: Getty)
Alan said: “Barriers with a sharp edge, such as thorny leaves and plant collars, cut from plastic drinks bottles, are rated by some for protecting individual plants and seedlings.
“Or you can go hi-tech with loops of copper tape that generate tiny electric currents that slugs are said to find irritating and so avoid.”
Copper tape triggers a tiny electric shock if slugs touch it as the material will have a chemical reaction to the slug’s mucus so is fantastic as a long-term pest repellent.
However, if you want to use another natural method then try making mulch out of cocoa shells and wool which is known to be an effective barrier that slugs will not want to cross.
Alan said: “Cocoa shell mulches are also known to be an effective barrier to slugs when spread over the soil between vulnerable plants. Or you might like to try the pure wool slug pellets that act like a mulch and are said to keep slugs at bay.”
Cocoa shells contain theobromine which is a compound believed to repel slugs and also has sharp edges while wool is highly absorbant and will dehydrate slugs.
However, it should be noted that cocoa shells, like chocolate, are toxic to dogs and can be harmful to them if ingested, so it is best to try a alternative pest control method if you own pets.