Slug pellets are made from plastic and include the ingredient metaldehyde, which kills slugs. Unfortunately, apart from killing slugs, slug pellets also poison wildlife. One alternative method of getting rid of slugs is wool slug pellets. However, people are not entirely sure they work. So, do wool slug pellets work or not?
Yes, wool slug pellets can be effective in killing slugs but it’s not 100% guaranteed, unfortunately.
Wool slug pellets are made from sheep wool and are good at repelling slugs. As the pellets are made from wool, they absorb the slug slime and, therefore, dehydrate them. These pellets also include ingredients like salt, which kills slugs.
Are Wool Slug Pellets Harmful to Dogs?
Chemical-based slug pellets are harmful to dogs and other animals. However, the main benefit of using wool slug pellets is that it is animal friendly. Therefore, these slug pellets are not harmful to dogs or other pets.
Wool slug pellets do not contain any chemicals that would harm dogs. These pellets are made from natural ingredients that are phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. Moreover, these pellets are also safe for children.
How to Make Wool Slug Pellets at Home
The good part of using wool slug pellets is that you can make them yourself. While wool slug pellets are commercially available, it will be much easier on your pocket if you can make them.
Since the pellets are made from wool, the only thing you need to do is knit some. You can get some wool and knit it into small conical shapes. When you spread the pellets in the soil, the slugs will get stuck in the fibrous texture and will be sure to avoid your garden.
Benefits of Using Wool Slug Pellets
A great thing about wool slug pellets is their ability to absorb and hold water. As wool pellets hold their water weight, you do not have to water your plants as frequently as you would otherwise. In addition, by absorbing water, they protect your plants from getting overwatered.
Also, wool slug pellets ensure that your plants remain healthy by increasing oxygen in the soil. As a result, the roots of your plants will spread deep, and you will not need any additives.
Moreover, wool slug pellets not only keep the slugs away but act as fertilizer for the soil. These pellets are rich in nitrogen and release their beneficial ingredients in the soil as they eventually break down.
Apart from nitrogen, the slug pellets also include iron, magnesium, calcium, and sulfur. Therefore, if you use wool slug pellets, you will be saving money as you will not require any fertilizers.
If you use wool slug pellets, you will be doing the environment and you a favour. These pellets are free from harmful chemicals and, if anything, contribute positively to the environment as they are renewable.
The wool slug pellets are also safe to use around plants as they will not burn them like other chemicals.
Drawbacks of Using Wool Slug Pellets
While slug pellets have numerous benefits, there are some disadvantages associated with them. These pellets can be washed away quickly if there is heavy rainfall. Therefore, you may have to keep reapplying the pellets with consistency for them to work.
A small problem with using slug pellets is that they can release the odour of sheep. The sheep smell is present in pellets as well as the fresh wool. However, the smell does not bother too many people.
Summary
Slugs are annoying garden pests that every gardener must deal with. There are ways to deal with slugs, the most common being slug pellets. However, slug pellets contain chemicals that kill slugs but also attract wildlife and cause harm to them.
Therefore, people are always looking for natural alternatives, which are wool slug pellets. Wool slug pellets work perfectly well, as slugs do not like to climb over the coarse texture. The wool also absorbs the slime, and the pellets contain salt that also dries out slugs.
Wool pellets are great because they are not harmful to dogs and other pets. In addition, the pellets will not cause harm to plants and are biodegradable. When the pellets eventually dissolve, they act like fertilizers keeping the plants healthy.
Using wool pellets is beneficial as they absorb water, so you do not have to water your plants often. Also, the wool pellets keep your plants safe from getting waterlogged. There are alternates to wool slug pellets that are still good for the environment. These alternates include creating a barrier with copper tape, using garlic water, and trapping slugs under boards.
