A Bathroom Staple Will Have Slugs Avoiding Your Garden At All Costs
Every gardener finds joy in nurturing and tending to their beloved plant babies, which is why the presence of slugs can swiftly transform this labor of love into a greenhouse battlefield. Luckily, using Epsom salt to eliminate these slimy warriors is an eco-friendly, effective, and affordable way to keep the slug population at bay. Should you choose to do nothing about it, you can be sure that these voracious soft-bodied garden pests will undoubtedly leave a path of destruction in their slow moving wake.
The concept of using Epsom salt is pretty straightforward because it has some seriously dehydrating power that proves fatal to slugs and other soft-bodied mollusks. Using it as-is or mixed in a solution can be used to create an inhospitable environment that will deter slugs from wreaking havoc on your precious garden. This natural remedy also means you're avoiding harmful chemicals and embracing a more ecologically friendly method of pest control. That being said, always practice caution when using Epsom salts in or around soil. This mineral is high in magnesium and can throw your soil's nutrients off-kilter. So before you try this slug control hack, it's best to test your soil to make sure that it's healthy enough for a little extra fertilizer.
It can be used dry or in a water solution
Epsom salt contains micronutrients like sulfur and magnesium, which are vital for your plant's overall health. This mineral can be used in its dry natural state as a barrier or as a foliar solution to ward off the slimy little invaders. To make a saline spray, start by combining one tablespoon of Epsom salt with a gallon of water. It's helpful to use warm water for this mixture because it will ensure that the Epsom salts have completely dissolved. This easy-to-make solution should be applied with a pump sprayer and can be sprayed directly onto slugs, which will send them to meet their maker in a matter of minutes. Applying Epsom salt or spray directly on these tiny terrors isn't recommended because it's pretty inhumane.
You can also combat these soft-bodied pests by sprinkling dry Epsom salt in a narrow strip around your precious plants. The scratchy texture of the salt acts as an abrasive agent, which, along with its moisture-absorbing properties, will damage the slug's sensitive skin. As a result, the slugs will begin to dehydrate and meet their demise. You can also spray the leaves of your plants on a monthly basis, which helps nurture your plant and promotes their overall health. This natural and eco-friendly method ensures a slug-free garden, while simultaneously providing your plants with the vital nutrients it needs.