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Killing Garden Slugs with Salt: How to Use It and Not Harm Your Plants Download ArticleExplore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Why do slugs die when they’re exposed to salt? 2 Should I salt slugs if I find them on my plants? 3 How do I get slugs off my plants to salt them? 4 How do I use salt on slugs? 5 Is it cruel to put salt on slugs? 6 What other ways can I kill slugs without salt? + Show 3 more... - Show less... Other Sections Expert Q&A Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Co-authored by Hunter Rising Reviewed by Ben Barkan
Last Updated: January 18, 2024 References
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This article was reviewed by Ben Barkan and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 92,407 times.
Have you noticed shiny trails of slime in your home or on the plants in your garden? If you’re also seeing irregular-shaped holes on plant leaves, you’re probably dealing with some garden slugs. You may have heard that salt works great for killing slugs, but you should know a few things before trying it out to see if it’s the right choice. We’ll give you the answers to some of your most common questions and more to keep your home and yard slug-free!
Steps
Question 1 of 6:
Why do slugs die when they’re exposed to salt?
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Salt draws the water out of a slug’s body and dehydrates it. Slugs have soft, thin skin that doesn’t offer them a lot of protection. Whenever they come into contact with salt, slugs make more slimy mucus to try and clean off their bodies. After a few minutes, slugs can’t produce enough mucus to protect themselves, so they dry out completely.[1]XResearch source
Advertisement Question 2 of 6:
Should I salt slugs if I find them on my plants?
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No, salt can damage plants and affect the soil balance. Salt may leave burns on leaves, stems, and buds, so don’t sprinkle it near your valuable plants.[2]XResearch source As the salt dissolves in the soil, it may also draw water out of the roots and kill the entire plant.[3]XResearch source For the best results, take the slugs to a different spot in your yard away from your precious plants.[4]XResearch source
If you have a potted plant, you could sprinkle salt around the outside of the container, but it will get rinsed away easily or look a little messy.
Question 3 of 6:
How do I get slugs off my plants to salt them?
Download Article
1 Leave a board on damp soil overnight to make a hiding spot for slugs. Water a patch of soil in the late afternoon and set a piece of wood or cardboard on top of it. Make sure there’s some space between the board and the ground by setting it on top of a brick or stone so slugs can get underneath. Just be sure it stays close to the ground so slugs can easily reach it. The next morning, flip the board over to find a bunch of slugs hiding there. After that, you can pick or scrape them off.[5]XResearch source
Slugs need somewhere to escape from the sun, or else they’ll dry out.
2 Go out and hand-pick the slugs at night. Go out to your yard in the late afternoon and water the plants where you’re having a slug problem. Wait until it gets dark and go back outside with a flashlight and gloves. Search the undersides of leaves for slugs, and just pull them off by hand to collect them.[6]XResearch source
If you don’t have gloves or don’t want to pick the slugs up by hand, use a pair of tongs instead.
Advertisement Question 4 of 6:
How do I use salt on slugs?
Download Article
1 Sprinkle the salt directly on slugs to stop them in their tracks. You can use any type of salt on the slugs. Whenever you have a slug away from your plants, just take a pinch of salt and put it directly on the slug. The slug may start writhing around or making more slime, but that’s normal. Within a few minutes, the slug will dehydrate completely and die. After the slug dies, collect it in a bag so you can throw it away.[7]XResearch source
Since slugs make a lot of slime while they die, it could leave a mess on the floor or ground. It’s best to use salt outdoors away from any plants or surfaces you want to keep clean.
2 Drop slugs in a saltwater solution as you find them. Fill a plastic container that has a lid with a mixture of 7 parts water and 1 part salt. Whenever you find a slug, drop it in the mixture and close the lid. Leave the slugs in the mixture for at least 2 days before throwing the container away in a plastic bag with your regular trash.[8]XResearch source
Avoid adding slugs to compost since they could contain a dangerous rat lungworm parasite.
Advertisement Question 5 of 6:
Is it cruel to put salt on slugs?
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Slugs have pain receptors, so salt could be really painful for them. Some studies have shown that mollusks like slugs and snails still can feel pain, so coating them in salt and dehydrating them isn’t the most humane.[9]X Trustworthy Source PubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source If you’ve ever accidentally gotten salt in your eye, that could be a similar feeling to what slugs experience when you use salt.
Question 6 of 6:
What other ways can I kill slugs without salt?
Download Article
1 Put a beer trap down to attract and drown the slugs.[10]X Expert Source Melinda MeservyPlant SpecialistExpert Interview Fill a deep bowl or container with beer and bury it in your yard so at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) sticks up above the ground. The fermented smell of the beer attracts the slugs, but they’ll fall and quickly drown in the beer overnight. Check the container the next morning and empty it if there are slugs inside.[11]XResearch source
Be sure to refill the beer every few days so it stays fresh.
2 Apply nematodes to the soil to infect and kill the slugs. Beneficial nematodes are small microscopic creatures that live in soil and infect pests with bacteria. Get nematodes from your local garden supply store and mix them with water following the directions on the packaging. Starting in spring, apply the nematodes in the evenings when the soil is warm and moist.[12]XResearch source
3 Try feeding slugs bran so they plump up and get eaten by birds. Sprinkle some pure bran in the soil around your plants so the slugs stay off your leaves. When slugs eat bran, they swell up and slightly dehydrate so it’s harder for them to move. Birds will see the slugs struggling to get away and get a free and easy meal.[13]XResearch source
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Question How do I keep snails out of my garden? Melinda Meservy Plant Specialist Melinda Meservy is a Plant Specialist and the Owner of Thyme and Places, a botanical boutique offering plants and gifts in Salt Lake City, Utah. Before starting her own business, Melinda worked in process and business improvement and data analytics. Melinda earned a BA in History from the University of Utah, is trained in lean and agile methodologies, and completed her Certified Professional Facilitator certification. Thyme and Places offered indoor plants and containers, a fully stocked potting bench, and tips on plants to suit your space and lifestyle. Thyme and Places closed in 2024. Melinda Meservy Plant Specialist Expert Answer Keep your garden area as clean and free of debris as possible. Keep the plants clean, remove any dead foliage, make sure there's not a bunch of mulch down around the base, if it's too wet, it'll attract snails. You can keep snails away by putting out a bowl of beer in the area. You can buy copper tape and put it around the area where you where you don't want snails. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 7 Helpful 7
Question Can I use salt around a drain to kill slugs? Mike O'Donnell Community Answer Yes. Salt will dehydrate the slug, as water in the cells of the slug try to equalize the high concentration of salt. The cells shrivel up and the slug dies. The process is known as osmosis. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 4
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Warnings
Always wear gloves or use tongs when you pick up slugs since they could carry the rat lungworm parasite.[14]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 1
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Reviewed by: Ben Barkan Garden & Landscape Designer This article was reviewed by Ben Barkan and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This article has been viewed 92,407 times. 31 votes - 85% Co-authors: 3Updated: January 18, 2024 Views: 92,407 Categories: Pest Control In other languages Dutch Indonesian Vietnamese Portuguese Spanish Japanese Arabic Korean German Chinese Turkish Thai Italian
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Reviewed by: Ben Barkan Garden & Landscape Designer Co-authors: 3Updated: January 18, 2024 Views: 92,40785% of readers found this article helpful. 31 votes - 85% Click a star to add your vote
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Download Article Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Why do slugs die when they’re exposed to salt? 2 Should I salt slugs if I find them on my plants? 3 How do I get slugs off my plants to salt them? 4 How do I use salt on slugs? 5 Is it cruel to put salt on slugs? 6 What other ways can I kill slugs without salt? + Show 3 more... - Show less... Other Sections Expert Q&A Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Co-authored by Hunter Rising Reviewed by Ben Barkan 
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Reviewed by: Ben Barkan Garden & Landscape Designer This article was reviewed by Ben Barkan and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This article has been viewed 92,407 times. 31 votes - 85% Co-authors: 3 Updated: January 18, 2024 Views: 92,407 Categories: Pest Control In other languages Dutch Indonesian Vietnamese Portuguese Spanish Japanese Arabic Korean German Chinese Turkish Thai Italian 
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Salt draws the water out of a slug’s body and dehydrates it. Slugs have soft, thin skin that doesn’t offer them a lot of protection. Whenever they come into contact with salt, slugs make more slimy mucus to try and clean off their bodies. After a few minutes, slugs can’t produce enough mucus to protect themselves, so they dry out completely.[1] Advertisement 
No, salt can damage plants and affect the soil balance. Salt may leave burns on leaves, stems, and buds, so don’t sprinkle it near your valuable plants.[2] As the salt dissolves in the soil, it may also draw water out of the roots and kill the entire plant.[3] For the best results, take the slugs to a different spot in your yard away from your precious plants.[4] 
1 Leave a board on damp soil overnight to make a hiding spot for slugs. Water a patch of soil in the late afternoon and set a piece of wood or cardboard on top of it. Make sure there’s some space between the board and the ground by setting it on top of a brick or stone so slugs can get underneath. Just be sure it stays close to the ground so slugs can easily reach it. The next morning, flip the board over to find a bunch of slugs hiding there. After that, you can pick or scrape them off.[5] 
2 Go out and hand-pick the slugs at night. Go out to your yard in the late afternoon and water the plants where you’re having a slug problem. Wait until it gets dark and go back outside with a flashlight and gloves. Search the undersides of leaves for slugs, and just pull them off by hand to collect them.[6] 
1 Sprinkle the salt directly on slugs to stop them in their tracks. You can use any type of salt on the slugs. Whenever you have a slug away from your plants, just take a pinch of salt and put it directly on the slug. The slug may start writhing around or making more slime, but that’s normal. Within a few minutes, the slug will dehydrate completely and die. After the slug dies, collect it in a bag so you can throw it away.[7] 
2 Drop slugs in a saltwater solution as you find them. Fill a plastic container that has a lid with a mixture of 7 parts water and 1 part salt. Whenever you find a slug, drop it in the mixture and close the lid. Leave the slugs in the mixture for at least 2 days before throwing the container away in a plastic bag with your regular trash.[8] 
Slugs have pain receptors, so salt could be really painful for them. Some studies have shown that mollusks like slugs and snails still can feel pain, so coating them in salt and dehydrating them isn’t the most humane.[9] If you’ve ever accidentally gotten salt in your eye, that could be a similar feeling to what slugs experience when you use salt. 
1 Put a beer trap down to attract and drown the slugs.[10] Fill a deep bowl or container with beer and bury it in your yard so at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) sticks up above the ground. The fermented smell of the beer attracts the slugs, but they’ll fall and quickly drown in the beer overnight. Check the container the next morning and empty it if there are slugs inside.[11] 
2 Apply nematodes to the soil to infect and kill the slugs. Beneficial nematodes are small microscopic creatures that live in soil and infect pests with bacteria. Get nematodes from your local garden supply store and mix them with water following the directions on the packaging. Starting in spring, apply the nematodes in the evenings when the soil is warm and moist.[12] 
3 Try feeding slugs bran so they plump up and get eaten by birds. Sprinkle some pure bran in the soil around your plants so the slugs stay off your leaves. When slugs eat bran, they swell up and slightly dehydrate so it’s harder for them to move. Birds will see the slugs struggling to get away and get a free and easy meal.[13] Advertisement 
Melinda Meservy Plant Specialist Melinda Meservy is a Plant Specialist and the Owner of Thyme and Places, a botanical boutique offering plants and gifts in Salt Lake City, Utah. Before starting her own business, Melinda worked in process and business improvement and data analytics. Melinda earned a BA in History from the University of Utah, is trained in lean and agile methodologies, and completed her Certified Professional Facilitator certification. Thyme and Places offered indoor plants and containers, a fully stocked potting bench, and tips on plants to suit your space and lifestyle. Thyme and Places closed in 2024. 
Mike O'Donnell Community Answer Yes. Salt will dehydrate the slug, as water in the cells of the slug try to equalize the high concentration of salt. The cells shrivel up and the slug dies. The process is known as osmosis. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 4