As a gardener, there are certain aspects that you must be wary of, including mulch. It is important to have mulch for a healthy garden because it helps add goodness to the soil. But could you be encouraging pests? Does much attract slugs?
Yes, unfortunately, some kinds of mulch can attract slugs.
Slugs may be small, but the damage they cause can have lasting effects. One of the reasons why slugs may be attracted to gardens is because of mulch.
As slugs prefer dark and damp places, mulch is the perfect place to hide. It is best to use mulch which repels slugs instead of inviting them to your garden.
What Mulch Keeps Slugs Away?
If you are an avid gardener or even just starting, you know the importance of having mulch. While some mulch can attract slugs, there are options that you can use to keep slugs away.
Slugs glide and do not like surfaces that are rough and dry. When soil is wet, it provides slugs with the right amount of moisture to crawl easily. Therefore, incorporating mulch that is dry will eliminate this factor.
In addition, some materials of mulch you can use should have sharp edges, which can cause discomfort to slugs or harm them if they glide on them.
Eggshells
One of the options you can use as mulch includes eggshells. Many people will choose to throw out eggshells, but you can use them to your advantage in your garden.
You can crush the eggshells and lay them on the soil near your plants. Any slug who decides to cross the eggshell path will find itself in difficulty and unwilling to cross.
Sawdust or Wood Shavings
In addition to eggshells, you can also use sawdust or wood shavings as mulch. Since slugs do not like dry surfaces, these materials work well to repel them. However, many people find that using sawdust and wood shavings is useless because they lose their dry attributes when they contact wet soil.
Therefore, instead of repelling slugs, it only becomes a place for them to hide.
Rock Dust
Speaking of dry surfaces, another option for you is rock dust or rock flour. You can use rock dust to create a barrier against slugs, in addition to keeping these slimy pests out. However, if you decide to use this method, you must be wary of the rain and wind.
Coffee
You can use your daily dose of caffeine to counter your slug problem. There have been instances where using coffee grounds has repelled slugs. Slugs do not like the strong smell of the coffee.
Sheep’s Wool
A great way to retain your soil’s moisture and avoid having to deal with slugs is to use untreated sheep’s wool. The wool slows down slugs as they try to cross it.
Seashells
One of the sharp materials which can cut snails and discourage them from crawling include seashells. You can crush seashells and lay them on the soil near your places. Since slugs do not like sharp terrain, they will avoid the path to your plants.
What Mulch to Avoid?
Some methods are controversial, but people use them as mulch in their garden.
For instance, garden lime acts as a slug deterrent. However, lime has a corrosive effect, and many people do not recommend using it.
In addition to lime, salt is a common way to kill slugs. But, using salt will damage your plants, and it is not worth it. Moreover, by using salt, you also risk harming other wildlife. Therefore, it is best to use other methods of mulching your garden.
These are some materials you can use as mulch in your garden. Other materials like straw or bark mulch are known to harbour slugs and attract them.
Do Slugs Live in Mulch?
Mulch is an important part of gardens. However, they are known to attract slugs.
Slugs are slimy pests you may see crawling on your plants, easting away the leaves. Unfortunately, using some kinds of mulch invites slugs and gives them a place to live.
Slugs like places that are dark and away from the sun. These pests usually come out during the evening or early morning. Therefore, mulch provides slugs with the perfect hiding spot.
You can use materials such as mulch which slugs hate. For instance, any rough, dry materials with sharp edges will work perfectly against slugs. Since slugs like to glide on things, dry surfaces prove to be uncomfortable for them.
Sharp materials will cut the slugs and prevent them from harming your plants.
Will Slugs Crawl Over Wood Chips?
A popular option for mulch is wood chips. Wood chips are good for the soil, helping it keep moist and cool. However, these chips attract slugs. While slugs do not like crawling over wood chips, they can still hide underneath them.
Summary
Mulch is important for gardens because it ensures that the soil is not devoid of moisture. Unfortunately, mulch can become a great hiding spot for slugs. Slugs are attracted to mulch because it is cool and moist, an environment where slugs thrive.
You can use materials such as sawdust, eggshells, coffee grounds or broken seashells. Another great option for mulch is to use untreated sheep’s hair. Slugs do not like any surface which is rough and dry.
Slugs can live in mulch because they prefer to be in the shade, away from the sun. Therefore, you must use mulch that does not attract slugs. It is best to avoid mulch materials such as wood chips that harbour slugs and other bugs.
